The Washington herald., 1916-02-18
BY l.. b. JOHNS.

To make the army an educational insti-
tuition we'll military establish
mcnt. is the purpose Of the amendment
ITO the army appropriation bill which
was proposed yesterday by Senator Hoke
Smith. Of Georgia. In carrying out this
plan the senator would maintain a resu-
lar army OF @J0.0po and authorize! the
President to use the postmasters as re-
CTuitinE aGentN. The amendment follows
the plan Of the general stsff Of the reGu-
lar army with the added educational fea-
lures.
The senator would fix the term OF en-
lisument at six years. two Of which would
nc with the CUlOTS and four In the re-
serve. lie raises tn" standard of the
regular army bv providing that a young
man is not eligible to enlist in the army
Until he has completed course at
! grammar school.
/ In presenting mis- amendment the SEN
ator said: AN army OF @jO,Cro, with the
rulors and l2J.Hp Of th,m -Oinc each year
INTO tn" reserve for four years would
give US at tho end oc five years 2Jo,"o
trained reservists in addition to the regu-
lar army. II the two years training with
the colors could be made also training
: school foi civil life with vocational in
Struction included. the service would bc
greatly elevated and would be sought 10y
more than the number allowed.
I The provision for the use of postmas-
ters in recruiting service is suggested
! by the. testimony before the Senate com
mittee on Military Affairs. He pointed
out that other countries employ civilian
officers to supplement the work Of mill
tary authorities to keep up the person
mel of their military establishment
! Il feel sure" senator Smith said. tho
postmasters Of the country will gladly
! resDond to any call made upon them to
assist in giving 1t an adequate army and
navy.
But the chief features OF the suEEes-
ton is that two years with the colors
| be used to train Young men who enlist
! for peaceful pursuits of life as we'll as
service in case of war. The young men
while with the colors could be en-
couraged to save half of their pay or 1t
might be reduced and the pay Of the
reserves proportionately increased.
The amendment OF Senator Hoke Smith
! to the army appropriation bill will be re-
| ceived more favorably by the military
authorities than is popularly anticipated
Reports for similar educa tionsl features
for army training have frequently been
proposed by members OF the General
staff The plan frequently advocated in
Congress. employing soldiers in road
building and on public works, has been
universally disapproved by the military
authorities. Anything OF an educational
character that will improve the enlisted
man mentally or morally, will be en-
dorsed by the army at large as long as
| it does not interfere with his military
| training.
Germany has an educational system
| for its army. Even the war It not allowed
| to interfere with the continuation OF the
| educational adva ntages of the service.
A report has been received at the War
| Depa rtnent of how this is being worked
out in Belgium. II is stated that in the
! landstrom battalions at present in Bel
gium. practical educational courses have
! been established with a view to occupy
ing the troops when off duty and giving
! them an opportunity of improving and
! extending their Knowledge.
: According to an order issued by the
! military governor of the province of
Luxeinburg, board of education has
! to be formed within each battalion.
Each company and the squadron in
quarters there delegates one or sew
eral of the number to this board. who
| desiguates the subjects to be taught
and the teachers, of which there are
| plenty in the company. The subjects
to be taken up first are: Languages
! (French and Flemish), bookkeeping.
I shorthand writing, reading, arithme-
tic. native history. agriculture and
! economy.
In the Philippines the regular army
! has maintained schools for the ma
! tives. Many of these have been of
an industrial character and there is
no doubt that the army will take up
with enthusiasm any educational sys-
tenn for the enlisted men which does
ont interfere with their military du-
ties. IT Is suggested that the fore
noon could be devoted to drill and the
afternoon to instruction in civil
branches as well as military sciercs.