The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-10

mercial and civic organizations, where
vacation periods of two weeks have
been increased to four weeks for those
who wish to attend the camps.
IF conditions are such that we have
available the necessary number of
regular officers to drill and instruct.
we will be able to accommodate all
who apply This was the reply of
Major General Barry. commander of
the central department Of the army to
an inquiry which Mr.. Cotton directed
to him.
Nothing better illustrates the insist
emit desire now amounting to demand
for opportunity for military training
than the extraordinary growth Of the
federal camps in the last three years.
Beginning with 264 in 1913, the at
tendance grew to 1853 in 1914. $3.50 in
1915, and 1914 in 1916. It Is antici-
pated that this years attendance will
be five or six times what it was last
year. When it is considered that ex-
cept for about 1000 Of the men who
attended the camps in September,
1916, after the passage Of the army's
appropriation bill, all of these $4,000
men bought their own uniforms and
paid for their own transportation and
subsistence with very little encourage
ment from the government, the move
ment must be considered as one Of the
most remarkable spontaneous demon
STATIONS ever witnessed in American
life.
The war department has been so
impressed with the movement that
this year they are arranging to as
sumo all transportation expenses to
and from the nearest camp, the cost
Of subsistence at the camp and will In
addition, furnish uniforms. although
they are recommending that each man
own his uniform. This was authoriz-
ed by the last congress, so that not
only are the federal military training
camps given a legal status, but at
tendance is made free to all.
Fort Smelling is ideally located for
the purpose of this movement. Not
only is the post situated in a com
handing and picturesque location, but
it is in a district famous over the
entire central section as a summer
resort. 1t is anticipated that this
year great many men will establish
their families at our nearby lakes and
themselves put in four weeks at the
camp. ss..
The instruction will comprise the
school Of the soldier and squad, COM
pany and battalion drills, the mechan-
ism and use of the modern military
rifle, including target practice, mill
tary hygiene, tactics and strategy.
Military menoeuvers and field exer-
cises will be held toward the end of
each camp. ..rm
The only requirements for attend
ance are that a man be a citizen of
the United States. of good moral
character. of sound physical condi-
ton, capable of severe physical work
in drills and manoeuvers with full in
fantry equipment, and mentally alert
enough to assimilate the intensive
instruction which attempts, in a gen.
eral way, to cover in thirty days the
work given in the first year at West
Point.
Attendance at these camps will not
increase either the legal or moral OBJ
legations to those who attend. 1t Gre
ates no other obligation in the direc-
ton of military service beyond that
already called for under the consti-
tuition of the United States. The in
tention is merely to equip those TAX
ing the course of training to fulfill
with more efficiency and usefulness
the obligations already laid upon them.
Major General Barry, Mr.. Cotton re-
ports. is intensely interested In the
Citizens camp movement and has de-
tailed Major Paul D. Malone. connec-
ted with his Office to handle the army
plans for the camps in the central
department and to cooperate in every
way with the citizen committees.
The entire camp movement viii this
year be co-ordinated and the Smelling
camp win be conducted in every detail
as Is the Plattsburg camp so that it
will be possible hereafter for one TO
take his first summers course at
Smelling, his second year at Platts-
burg and his third year at another
camp.
The active interest taken by the
Duluth Commercial club in having
a camp for civilians in the northwest,
similar TO the now well known camp
at Plattsburg, was q large factor In
bringing about the establishment Of q
camp at Fort Smelling.