The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-06-23
No INCOMPETENT WANTED.

There has been more or less oriti-
.c.sm during the last few weeks rcla-
tive TO the slow in which
recruits are being obtained for the
national guard ~ New Mexico. The
regiment has only abou, one half the
number Of msn required TO bring Is
TO a war footing. Notwithstanding the
feat that a rather vigorous campaign
has been wage for the past six weeks
to induce young men OF the state ~
Join.
There Is a belief In many quarters
that young men are timia about en-
rolling In the rankl Of the guard be-
cause Of the fact hat there IL a pos
sibility OF having inexperienced and
utterly inefficient officers over them.
Let q NE said right here. in order 10
avoid any misunderstanding. that no
reflections are intended to be cast
upon those officers who spent several
months on the border las' year where
they obtained experience Of a practi-
cal nature which has fitted them to
admirably III! the positions to which
they are now assigned.
However. there are men In tho
state. some OF whom have o seen
any military service aud others who
perhaps served during the Spanish
American war who are openly avow-
ing that they are going to get com
missions IN the New Mexico guard.
Some. of them have even gone 80 FAR
AZ to say they will take the matter up
with our Representatives In congress,
II necessary, in order to get the much
priced army bcrths.
Il T.. OF course. a well known fact
that the United States IL short ~ Of
ficers. The declaration OF war against
GERMANY found Us unprepared IN thag
branch OF the service just the same
as most everywhere else In connection
with our national preparedness Lack
ing Officers with the necessary expert
ence. Il was necessary TO establish the
training camps and call Tor men 30
enter them for the purpose OF under
going an n system OF instruc-
ton calculated 10 tit them 20 receive
commissions and command troonH by
the time the first increment of the
new army h. drafted and assembled.
II is said that his course OF lnstruc-
tion Of four months Will cover tho
same ground as a regular course NJ
West Point. This - perhaps exag-
! gerated. But IL IL only reasonable to
infer that when Uncle sam finishes
with these men they win be at least
reasonably well equipped to take
charge ~ and Instruct others.
n those New Mexico patriots are 50
anxiouS 20 serve their country Gin n
capacity to which there Is a fat salary
attached why didn't they take ad-
vantage ~ the opportunity offered b.
the government to attend the training
camp or, u their patriotic ardor and.
not reach the boiling poiut until sur
ncieRi applicants had been received %.
the camp. his IL 90 advise them that
there will be- another chance Ia the
course Of a few months when the
training - the second list OF Officers
begins
No incompetcnts are wanted as Of
nesrs IN our army Men who have
seen no military service, ar who may
have soldiered "a little many years
ago. should not be given commission g
simply because they have Influential
friends in the state. Before being
favored in this way they should be
required 60 stand an examination and
demonstrate beyond a doubt their ~
ness % I'm the position 70 which
they aspire