The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-08-17
What They Are There For.

WHAT lNey Are lneTe + OF.
General James Parker, commander
of the military zone IN which the Min.
nesota boys are located, gives three
reasons for the mobilization of the
militia-protection of the border, ne
cessity of exercising diplomatic
pressure and preparedness.
Here is General Parker's statement
as published in a little paper issued
by the Minnesota troops at Llano
Grande:
''The question is now being asked by
many men of the state troops here in
camp, What are we here for?' 1t is
well that an answer be made to this
question, and that it be kept in mind
by all. The government and the people
Of the United States certainly appreci-
ate the sacrifices that are being made
by officers and men Of the state troops
in performing this service. They have
left homes and families. They have
left important positions. They have
come to a hot and sometimes disagree
able climate.
"But they should feel that what they
are doing is not being done in vain
that they are rendering to this country
wonderful service, that they should
be thanked and are being thanked by
the people Of the United States for
patriotic service done the country.
"What is this service? In the first
place, this country was and is still
threatened by war. The conditions on
the other side of the REQ Grande are
worse than they have ever been before
Villa is still at large. He is likely to
make another raid. The temper Of the
American people becomes more and
more impatient. The people are re.
alizing that the prestage of the coun-
try is suffering. Unforeseen situations
are constantly occurring and some OF
these situations may demand action.
at is therefore apparent that this
army may be Of service as fighting
force. 1t is therefore apparent that il
should become prepared. That the off
GERS and men should be fully trained
This can only be accomplished by long
hours Of drill each day and by enthu.
siastic work.
"Secondly, if it is desired to exercise
diplomatic pressure, the existence Of
large armed force is necessary.
ut goes without saying that this
armed force should be we'll trained ir
drills, because these bring about disci.
pline and prompt obedience to com.
mands. 1t should be drilled in target
practice in order that when it goes into
battle it's fire would be formidable. A
soldier who cannot shoot is not half 6
soldier.
"It should be drilled in marching, ir
order that troops may be concentrated
quickly at important points, that oul
army may be able to pursue the enemy
and defeat it. It should be trained ir
camping and all the various duties OF
the soldier in camp, sanitation, cooking
and the care of arms, equipment, etc:
I in order that, it may always be ready
for duty, and in order that it may
move in campaigns without confusion
"The fact that the weather is hot
or wet, that the camps are dusty OF
muddy, prepares the troops for the
inevitable conditions of campaign
and for the hardships that the troops
may have to undergo. It is we'll
therefore, that troops should become
hardened and accustomed to undesira
bic conditions such as these.
"Thirdly, we are here because this
is the greatest step toward prepared
ness the United States has ever taken
We are training men, and especially
officers, for future wars. In case Of
any great war we will need an i'm
mense army Of millions Of fighting
men, and to train them we will neec
tens of thousands of officers and non
commissioned officers as drill masters
''The national guard is a school fol
officers of volunteers or of our con
script army. It is to the national guarc
largely that we must look for the mer
with military training who are tx
whip our millions of conscripts into
shape"