The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-07-13

contentment, SObriety and morality,
and therefore of the discipline and
efficiency of the soldier. This i'm
portance is so fully recognized by
me, and by my superiors, that | in
cluded the fact of the establishment
of the Y. NJ. c. A. in connection with
this training camp in my telegraphic
reports to department and army
headquarters. 1t is well that you,
who are possible future officers of
the army, should note the functions
and results of this institution, and
that both here and elsewhere you
should contribute by every proper
means to the development of its in
fluenCe and success. And when you
become responsible for the well being
and efficiency of soldiers bear in mind
the methods and results of the Y. NJ.
c. A.
This appears an opportune mo-
ment, though not strictly suitable
occasion, for referring briefly to the
general plan of the big wheel of
which this training camp is only one
small spoke
The apathetic attitude of our coun-
try regarding military preparedness
resulted in our being found in a de
tenselesS condition when we were
forced to declare war against the
greatest and most efficient military
organization the world has ever
known. With years of warning, we
had made no adequate preparation,
and then, all at once, we found our
selves called upon to raise, train, arm
and equip a great army after war
was actually upon us. 1t was a big
order, The plans had, however been
pretty well prepared, and work could
begin when the necessary laws were
enacted authorizing it. We are now
we'll started on the first step cOntem-
plated in those plans. which was that
of obtaining and training the Mater
lal for officers Tor the first half mill
lion men. This half million would
constitute about sixteen divisions,
and so the United States was divided
into sixteen areas of approximately
equal population, and each OF these
areas was to furnish division under
the first call. But before a division
can be even deCently cared for in
camp, let alone being trained, it must
have competent officers, and our little
force OF regulars was too small to al
ford more than a leaven for the loaf.
Therefore we must first raise and
train officers, who would in turn
train the new divisions. 1t is a sig
nihcant fact that great howl went
up when it was learned that no army
would be conscripted before Septem-
Der, Our people, many of them.
cemed to have no least conception
Of the fact that the lives of fathers,
brothers and sons would be de-
pendent upon the Intelligence, train
ing and military skill and capacity
OF the officers who would teach them
lOW to take care of themselves in
camp and field, and whose skill as
leaders would mean life or death in
battle. They seemed to have the
million men raised in a night" idea,
and could not comprehend the neces-
sity for this delay. But the president
understood And so officers training
camps were instituted in each of the
sixteen areas | have referred to, each
camp being expected to produce at
least enough officers for the division
,Dsequently to be raised and trained
here.
Then came the question of the part
the colored race was to play Consti-
tuting more than ten per cent of our
population, could we realize in it a
national asset OF ten per cent of the
men we would call to arms? This
would mean nearly fifty thousand
under the first call. The existence of
TINS camp proves that the superior
authorities decided to utilize this
Isset in the fullest sense The color
ID man would not only be drawn to
ill the quota proportionate to his
numbers, but would also be given an
equal chance with the white man to
prove his fitness for the exercises of
the higher and more responsible
duties OF leadership and command.
Whatever may have been in the
minds OF those who made this decis-
ion, the result is that there was
precipitated and centered in this
training camp at Fort Des Moines
the further decision as to whether or
not the colored race is capable of sue
cessfully enduring this test of its fit
ness for this most important duty of
citizenship and franchise.
Here are assembled representative
colored men from east, west, north
and south, to prove or to disprove
their fitness for the responsible duties
of command. These duties require
more than patriotism and personal
courage. They require extended
technical military knowledge; train
ed judgment in handling men under
the varying conditions of camp and
field; high standards of truth and
honor; exceptional qualifications as
an instructor of soldiers and admin
istrator of all the affairs upon which
depend their contentment, health,
discipline and military efficiency;
and also that important and intang-
ible quality that is expressed in the
term leadership" These qualities
you must develop and possess if you
are to command the confidence and
best efforts of soldiers. They must
see in you one who always looks out
for the welfare of his men, and Sc
cures it, and the one who can be
trusted to accomplish the maximum
result which minimum cost in life
and limb. Physical, mental and
moral strength; patience, endurance
and courage; industry, alertness and
obedience, are merely a few of the
attributes you must possess to attain
success.
You must learn all of soldiers
necessities as to food, clothing, arms,
equipment, shelter and sanitation,
and how to procure these for him,
and teach him in their use and care.