The Carlisle independent., 1917-05-03

Es paratively small number of troops for instruction and that at some great open spaces in the land the training of the greater numbers, equivalent in some cases to army divisions, will take place.
 Army men who have made study of conditions throughout the country believe that less than one-quarter of the young men gathered together for instruction will have had any prelimi- nary instruction. There will be in the ranks, of course, many men who have attended private military schools, and others who have received some first soldier lessons in the state universi- ties or in the high schools of the cities, but the great mass of the re- cruits will be green, and will need complete lessons in everything from the position of soldier to maneuvers in extended order.
 lnstructing the Officers.
 Tn these dispatches prior to this time the need of officers for the great army which is to be raised has been discussed. It is understood to be the intention to establish officers schools. Already men who have taken or who are to take examinations for the off cers' reserve corps are under instruc- ton at some of the posts of the coun- try At the engineer barracks in Washington something over a hundred young men from the departments who are skilled in certain lines of work necessary for the supply of an army In the field are taking lessons in the duties of junior officers.
 It is expected that in the ranks of the new army will be found enough men who have been given military in- struction at good schools to enable the officers in charge to select mate rial for the noncommissioned ranks. The army of 500,0O0 men, whether raised by the volunteer method or by conscription, ought to contain some fairly well-seasoned material The thing that must be. done. however, even to those who have had some years of military drill at private in- stitutions. is to teach them the spirit of the regular army discipline, the self-reliance and the knowledge of how to enforce orders without arous- ing the resentment of men unaccus- toned to receiving orders.
 The camps which are to be estab- lshed will present at the first a rather motley appearance. Presumably men will be sent direct from the recruit ing stations or the conscript stations, whichever they are to be called. to the encampment grounds.
 What a difference there will be be- tween the condition of John Smith, American, who reports for military duty, and Hans Schmidt German. who reported for military duty in Germany three years agoi John Smith will re- port in civilians clothes and probably will continue to wear them for a long time while he is learning to square his shoulders, depress his toes. make an about face and do the setting-up drill. Hans Schmidt, although he may have been out of service for years,
  where he fonnd a uniform from shoes to cap which had been made for him personally, bearing his name and ready to put on. In addition, Hans Schmidt found his military equipment In place and in order and intended for him personally. Hans, with his pre- vious military training. was ready within a week to take his place in the fighting line.
 That was Germany's preparation so far as it's man power was concerned. Uncle Sam's preparation is about to begin.
 Recruits Can't Be Sent Yet.
 Some of the opposition which de veloped in congress to the plan to raise an army by conscription in order that ric hand poor. high and low, might share alike the duty of service, was based on the feeling expressed by mem- bers that American youth would volun- teer instantly if 1t was certain that they were to be sent quickly to the fighting line. In other words, that Americans want to fight and fight of the reel"
 Army officers in Washington are try Ing their best to convince civilians, and particularly civilian legislators. that no Americans can be sent to the fighting line instantly unless 1t be the regulars, of whom there Is only com paratively small force, force which