Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-08-17
Thousands of Boys Given Pre-
liminary Drilling for SerV-
ice as Soldiers.
RESERVES OF The FUTURE
Work Is Carefully Laid Out to Avoid
Strain, Physical or Mental
Education for Those
Needing II.

LOndon.-Great Britain has some
thing like five million men in its mill
tary forces. General Robertson an
nounced that another half-million musl
be provided in order to maintain re
serves and keep the fighting units up
to full strength. When this 5Oo'OOo
have been provided there will be an
other demand for further augmenta-
tons later.
The memorable demands from the
trenches must be met somehow. How
they are to be met, how man power
is continually to be provided to meet
the wastage of war is Indicated by the
progressive organization of the coun-
try's youth for training in anticipation
of the time when they shall arrive at
military age.
All over the country battalions or
BOYS. none of them beyond the age OF
eighteen years and eight months, are
being Systematically trained for the
army. Schoolboys, college boys, ap-
prentices-youth of all classes-as soon
as they are physically capable of IN
dertaking the work of training, are
nut into the organizations for prepare
ton.
Strain Carefully Avoided.
Careful measures have been adopted
TO insure fiat they shall not be over
trained and either physically or men
tally injured by the strain. Officers IN
charge of these organizations of boys
have been provided with special in
structions as to the service that may
safely be demanded. A good deal OF
discretion in this regard is left to COM
handing officers and drill masters, but
after all the purpose is to equip the
national youth for soldierly service ms
rapidly and efficiently as possible
Much lighter requirements. however.
are imposed on the youngest class OF
soldiers. They are given
graduated instruction in various drills
for the purpose of hardening their
physiuues. Games, lectures and educa-
tfonal work are provided in addition
to ordinary military training.
There are twelve fortnightly periods
in the training course for youth of this
class. In the first period of two weeks
"a hours of work are required. of
which u hours are given to games and
educational work. After the first pc
-iod IA hours are set aside in each |
period for these purposes !
Such games as cricket, football and |
,oxing are particularly priced for their |
fleet on the physique Of the recruit.
Participation in these is compulsory.
At the outset every young man is !
noculated, vaceinated and given a
dental overhauling. This
limits the possible activities of many
# them during the first six weeks Of
heir training. After these preliminary
roubles are over, the organizations
ettle into a regular scheme involving
4 hours work per fortnight, or six
ours work daily. including Sunday.
How the Work Is Divided.
At this stage of his training the re-
rult gets in each fortnightly period
en- hours of general physical training,
tx hours of bayonet exercises, Is hours
f squad drill, IS hours of musketry
nd range practice. two hours devoted
} interior economy, three hours on
light work. three hours on guard duty,
wo hours on antigas training, three
ours Of route marching without packs.
vo hours for special lectures and IA
ours for games and education.
Every soldier must learn all about
king care of his clothes. kit and
luipment and instruction in these de-
is referred TO as interior
.onomy." Then 1t is necessary to
We very careful instruction in the i'm
'rtance of discipline as a military fac
2. hygiene. sanitation, first aid and
inor casualties, trench warfare. con-
almert and cooperation OF infantry /
it'll artillery and aircraft. /
The importance of the educational :
urse must not be underestimated. A
'od many boys with extremely rudi- 4
entary schooling are taken into these |,
CARNATIONS. Those who need It are n
ven the most elementary educational Il
portunity, while the more advanced
es are provided instruction in SUB Y