New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-20

conditions OF Southern Texas, the IN
tense heat, the impenetrability and
alkalinity of soil, is it not wonder
that the sick rate is low; and when
fragrant cases of abuse are called 10
the attention Of the enlisted men they
cannot but believe that everything is
not as we'll as is stated by the authori-
ties. This general statement can easily
be backed up by case after case which
can be proven.
The physical condition of the men,
therefore, is improved, but great adj
yances must yet be made if we intend
to 60 into Mexico, and radical change
should be effected in the medical de-
partment and its attitude toward the
men if We are TO wage successful war
in the future.
AS to technical training; There is
practically no technical training. Take
an infantryman's requirements, for ex-
ample. He is supposed to be able.
among other things, to shoot, patrol,
read maps, take care of himself If lost,
etc. The New York division has been
on the border three months and has
not fired off its guns excepting once
when twenty shots were fired at tar
get fifty yards away, without the shots
being marked or the men corrected for
any mistakes they made. No training
is given in estimating ranges. Nothing
was told US as to how to gauge wind
velocity or how to stop our shots;
neither were we taught, even in the
case of recruits, the use Of the sling
and the many other requirements for
good shooting. During the three
months in which the writer was on the
border we had no training in map
reading. There was little signalling
i. e., semaphore drill; but it was prac-
tically negligible. Two men in each
company were supposed to know how
to signal. In many cases not even that
number knew it well. We were not
taught anything about how to live oil
the land. Nothing was told US as to
what we should eat or should not eat,
where we could get water and whert
not, or any Of the many details that IL
is necessary for man TO know should
he become detached from his base in
a hostile country like Mexico. Prac-
tically all we learned was of the nature
of simple camp duties, making and
breaking camp, and things which could
be equally we'll taught In weeks time
at Camp Whitman. In fact, the writer
believes that he learned as much in the
Connecticut manpuvres as he did IN
the whole time he was on the border
What is the answer t. all Of this:
First-If it is intended to maintain
the Guard on the border intensive
training should be started at once.
Second-A thorough investigation
should be made of the conditions ex-
listing in the medical department, par
ticularly of the regimental medical Of
ficers. This should not DO done by
partial judges but by outsiders in no
way connected with the present officers
of the New York division.
Third-In case it is not expected
that we shall have war with Mexico
plans should be laid for relieving the
men at the border, either by raising
new regiments in New York through
CONSUMPTION or otherwise TO relieve
those there at present.
While this letter may appear to be
too critical, it is only due the people
Of the country and of the state that
they know how things are really being
conducted, how their money is being
spent, what they are being taxed for.
We are being lulled to sleep by tales
of how fine everything is on the border
so it is time that a few truths Of the
situation leaked out-not for the pur-
pose of destroying the Guard but in
order that we may profit by this ex-
perience so that instead Of merely
muddling along, wasting our money
and accomplishing nothing, we can Sc
cure an organization which will be
worth all that we put into IL and
source of security TO the country.
EX-SEVENTH REGIMENT, n. G. n. Y.
New York. Oct. 16. 1916.