New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-23
British Bayonet
Rules Supplant
u. S. Army Manual
Introduction of New Meth
cd at Plattsburg Entails
Sweeping Changes
Prom san Correspondent, Of m. yhbun.l

lFrom san Correspondent Of ms Trbunsl
Plattsburg, n. Y, May %. - Prin-
ciples Of British bayonet fighting
methods will supplant the American
manual in the United States army
which goes TO France. This will entail
sweeping change in the conduct Of
close quarter combat practice and the
charge. and will abrogate much that
has gone before in American instruc'
ton on these subjects.
This was announced tonight after n
conference of all the regular army in
struetors at the officers training camp
here. The candidates for commissions
will be instructed verbally in the essen
tials of the English system tomorrow
awaiting the arrival of the textbooks
from Washington, where the British
manual is being revamped by service
experts for American purposes.
The war has restored the payohe. 10
favor as n weapon of offence, and mas
developed phases of attack Tor whlch
the American manual Is entirely IN
adequate One officer contrasted the
American and British methods with tne
statement that our bayoret manual IS
a fine thing for fencer. but poor
thing for fighter. The American sys-
TEN comprises series OF thrurts,
lunges, parties and recoverles. Inc
British 90 forward with the bayonet to
conquer by the cohesion of mass
rather than individual skill.
British Walk Steadily
The British charge that has proven
most effective. it was explained, is a
compact phalanx advancing behind a
hedge of knives no faster than walk.
The American way Is to dash ahead IN
skirmish line brandishng the rifle with
bayonet fixed and yelling in a manner
calculated to alarm the adversary be-
fore the hand-to- hand clash. Then the
lighting is decided largely by indi-
vidual deXterlty.
Trench warfare has rendered this
more spectacular method futile. The
men in training here will be the first
to begin the new manual. which eventu-
ally will become universal in the army.
The regulars and National Guard will
have little to unlearn in the change,
however, for bayonet exercises have
not been given a great deal of atten-
ton in recent years. 1t has not been
so very long since there was consider
able discussion over discarding the
bayonet entirely.
The trench knife is another topic
under consideration. The British and
Canadians 20 into battle carrying these
l., hloIo1 +hpnct Int n THAR la0Oi N o. :
II appears doubtful. however, that this
weapon will figure in the course here
though the opinion has been ventured
that it might be added to the American
soldiers equipmnt after he reaches
France.
Three Men Discharged
About forty more New England Ma.
tional Guardsmen arrived to-day, bring.
ing the total strength Of the 1st Regi.
ment up to 2,727. The strength of the
New York contingent, including Off
their discharges to-day. Edward j
Howe. of New York, failed to measure
up TO the general qualifications of ar
officer; Starr n. Stanyan. of New Bed
ford. Mass, and Harold l.. b. Rusby
of Fall River, Mass, were physically
unfit.
The commandant received the fol.
lowing telegram from Major General
Bell at Governors Island:
Notify all candidates who have been
examined for Officers Reserve Corps,
but not yet commissioned. that orders
placing them or active duty are issued
in each case by the War Department.
When orders in their cases are received
here they will be notified Immediately.
In,truct them to stop telegraphlng
these headquarters asking when they
will be placed on active duty"