The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1917-09-21
BRAINS BIG ASSET IN SOLDIERS
MAKEUP.

hC illdh VI 1ldll OO0y CIio hOOli
mind is a better soldier than the big,
strong fellow of dull brain, says a
writer in War. That is the cOnclu-
sion of Frances war chiefs after al
most three years of observation. The
six-footer, having 200 pounds of
Drawn, may look more impressive in
uniform, but the the wiry chap with
a quick mentality is the better fight
ing man., experience would seem to
prove. That does not mean, of course,
that all men of frail build are smart,
or that all the big fellows are dull.
1t is merely a general standard by
which soldiers can be measured, and
should be source of comfort to
thousands of men who are possessed
of excellent mental equipment, but
who have felt that they were poorly
endowed by nature for the rough bus
mess of soldering.
Life in the trenches has shown that
the man who can think will most
quickly adapt himself to his circum-
stances, and not only endeavor to
make the best of them, but to improve
his condition, which is the important
thing. He also bears up better under
an intense fire, close observers say.
This is explained in the theory that
men given to thought are able to lay
hold of pleasant images from the past,
or bright hopes for the future, and
turn their thoughts away from the
horror of the present. But the man
of brute strength and small mental
powers is inclined to let his trench
go as he found it, and to rail against
fate instead of striving to pump out
the water and make himself an un-
derground home. And when the SUI
preme moment comes blind fear has
been found to assial those of low in
telligence much quicker than the man
of intellect. The nearer a soldier Is
to the animal, says the psychologists
of war, the more inclined he is to be-
come victim of cowardice. 1t is the
primitive instinct to run rather than
fight, which distinguishes all except a
very few animals. But like the ami
mails, the soldier of meager mental
powers will fight furiously when driv-
en- to it.
The training which the French
soldier undergoes is more comprehen-
sive than that of any other fighting
man among the Entente nations. 1t
is probable the French schedule will
be followed closely by Americas new
armies, and instruction may be part
ly given by French officers.
The first step in the making of a
poilu includes the usual drill ground
maneuvers and thorough instruction
in trench making. This includes the
construction of offensive and defen-
sive trenches, communicating trench
es, dugouts, observation stations, un-
derground ammunition storehouses,
etc. Each man must learn to dig a
section OF trench about seven feet
long, six feet deep and four to five
feet wide in the shortest possible
time. This question of time is the
dAO luSIi uStiOA
officers urge recruits to strenuous
effort.
1t takes from two to three months
before a man can drill with fair sat
isfaction and dig a trench in work
manlike manner. In the same period
he also goes through series of ath-
letic exercises intended to harden
him. Then comes training in the
throwing of grenades, one art of wal
in which Americans should excel
Grenade throwing requires nice eye
and a quick, accurate delivery
Christie Mathewson, please apply.
After the drilling, the digging and
the grenade throwing follows a final
intensive period Of training in the
finer points of war, covering all
phases of life in the trenches, under
fire, at charge and so on. These
last instructions completed, the poilu
is ready for the front. There his
manhood receives the test. Most
often it is the quick-witted but un-
dersized chap who takes the enemy's
guns and proves himself the master
spirit of The Great Adventure-War.