Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-10

tain classes of instruction that had been
postponed purposely. and there was
much opportunity for the development
Of the forces of discipline and cohesioh-
The period of instruction and tratpi NJ.
from the beginning to the time the
I regiments were put into the nrtns hne'
was approximately three months.
Splendid Material Available.
Another consideration bearing upon
the length of time that these regiments
were actually in training is the SPLEEN
did material that was available. Every
regiment was commanded by regular
officer, and practically all the field off1-
GERS were regulars. The remaining COM
| mi ssioned and enlisted personnel com
prfsed the pick Of ex-reguiars ana Oh
some 250. Gee ex-volunteers from the war
with Spain, who had had ABOUT year
Of training in addition to any prior
military service. i'll T.,
! ~'rhe present war in Europe Will IN
time furnish valuable data on tne SUI
ject of the time required and the pest
methods to be pursued in the training
of new troops. Such information re-
gariing the new armies of Great BTU
ain W i'll be particularly valuable TO US,
as their troops. like our OWL seiNe
under voluntary enlistment 1t Is sig
niffcant, however. that the policy or the
war office has been to refrain from
sending new tAoops to the continene
for service in the first line until eney
have had a minimum OF Six montns
training. and the scarcity Of trained
officers and non-commfssione omcers
has necessarily had its effect upon the
character of the training given.
1T goes without saying that 'ne
more the men know about the art OF
war the better Time will not now
ever, be available to teach them every
thing. even if they were capable OF
absorbing it. Careful distinction must
be made between those things when
it is essential that every soldier should
know and those things which 1t Is de-
sirable that he should know. Every
effort should be made and all available
time devoted at first to teaching the
able. the instruction and training may
be extended in other directions.
Penalty Of Mistakes.
"Imperfectly trained troops must pay
with their lives for their own mistakes
and for those Of imperfect leadership.
The more efficient the leadership the
better will be the training. and the bet
ter the training the fewer will be the
mistakes. and the less will be the ulti-
obtained by tho war.
ANY system of training. however
good in itself. will fail to bring the de-
sired results unless there arc available
tors, officers and non-commissfoned Of
hcer1 Tho blind cannot lead the
blind"
Referring to the mobilization of the
volunteer armies. the War College
points out that all points of mobiliza-
ton have been selected. one in each
state Of the Union, and that these pre-
liminary arrangements have been APP
proved by both the federal and state
authorities. These plans provide for
the necessary buildings. for water sup
ply and all other essential needs which
will arise. New Dorp, S. l., is the point
selected for New York.
Referring to recruiting for the volun-
teer services, the War College adds:
Recruiting will proceed as rapidly
as possible Prior to the muster in of
the militia recruiting is a state func-
ton and Is governed by state laws In
some states the regimental and COM
pany commanders are designated as re-
cruiting officers, being, presuma bly,,
most interested in keeping the organ
izations at the required strength. Upon
ever. each command will have it's own
recruiting onicer. detailed under army
regulations, or recourse may be had to
the recruit rendezvous and depots es-
tablished and controlled by the Secre-
tary of War.
Governors of States to Cooperate.
Governors will be requested to order
to the state mobilization camps. or to
such other points as may be necessary,
the necessary stan officers of militia.
These officers, II not actually included
in the call for militia, or received into |
the volunteer service, may be retained
in the state service or discharged, at
the discretion Of the governor. State |
medical officers. especially. should be
assembled at suitable points and mus |
tered into the federal service. SO that |
they may. as federal officers, be avail !
a BILE to assist in mastering the remain
der.
The War Department will order to |
the mobilization camps and to other !
designated points the necessary mus |
tering officers and medical examiners.
TT may be necessary to designate |
officers to proceed to specially indicat- !
ed points and raise the new organiza-
tons In this case individual recruit |
ing will be necessary, and for this pur-
pose the recruiting rendezvous and de-
pots may be charged with making en-
listments. such service to be supple
mented by the assignment. under army |
regulations, of officers of the new or
Eanizatfons as they become able !
by appointment"