New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-02

diers. He was drawn from the "bawled
out" class and he could be governed
only by "bawl out methods.
Things are largely changed now.
More than half the American army in
France is made up of men who Joined
after the declaration Of war. They
were not jobless or inefficient. Multi
tudes of reasons sent them into the
ranks. A few wanted TO make the
world safe for democracy. Many more
desired adventure. an ocean voyage and
a trip to Paris and perhaps Berlin.
81 was marching my men along the
other day said young captain,
when ! heard a private give the cheer
OF the University OF Nebraska. | ran
up to him ard said, You didn't do that
very we'll. I'm Nebraska man myself.
Let's do it together.
All Sorts of Officers
There are then men drawn from
many classes in the army and there
will be more. Already there are all
sorts Of officers. There is the regular
from West Point, the occasional regu-
lar from civil life, the officer who came
through the Fort Lcavcnworth training
school, the reserve officers and a num-
Der Of former 'non-coms" recently
elevated to commissions. The greatest
sticklers for discipline are the reserve
officers.
IL was talking 70 soldier in the
street" said an old West Pointer, "and
he was telling NE he had too much
money to spend. Il can't use half Of
it, he said. and I waste it on things
| don't want. Look at the bunch of
cigars | bought. Take q handful |
took three, bus | was mighty sorry
afterwards. because had with me a
young fellow, just commissioned sec
ond lieutenant. and he was almost
shocked to death that | should take
cigars from soldier"
The officers who rose from non-coms
are also somewhat stiff and formal IN
the exercise Of their new found hOnorS.
All have been transformed from their
regular regiments, so that they shall
not he associated with the enlisted men
they knew before they held commits
sions. Some officers believe in leading
their men, others in driving them,
while still a third class combine the
two methods. One Of the best young
officers | have seen in the army is
absolutely informal with his men at
times. He comes to their concerts and
hands cigars to the quartet and con-
suits with them as to what song they
shall sing. 49,.
CAPTAIN, do you like 'Cathleen' ~
the big soldier who sang tenor would
ask. and the captain would answer:
Does il 90 like this ?" humming bar,
and then add. Eyes. that's a good one;
lots have IT," He could be stern
enough upon occasion. and he had the
hest bombars in the army, but liked
his men to know the reasons for things.
lie was fond OF letting them get his
noint Of view about things. Thus, when
he found some soldiers drinking too
much. soon after their landing, he
called a conference and told them chat
il had to stop.
If the Whole Army Drank
Some Of you men are spending all
your money on booze he said, ana
getting stinko, pinko, sloppy drunk. It
won't do. a few old prIvates get
drunk. but don't copy them. It's Just
because of that they're old privates.
I'm going to choose my non-coms from
YOU. but not the men who drink. You we
drunk yourself out Of a commission,
sergeant. was going TO recommend you'
but how can I do il now? Just look az
It the way | see IT, II took my pay IN
a lump I could buy every saloon IN the
town and stay drunk for two years. |
had 70 cxaggerate little, he confessed
when he told the story to me after.
ward. What do you suppose would
happen then? Suppose the majors and
the colonies and the generals and the
whole bunch got drunk, what would
happen to the army? Don't forget
that this is your army as much as 1t IS
mine. That's all to-day"
The chief and most able member or
the English school of discipline is
General Pershing. He puts the drive
in the army. His inspections are
masterpieces of thoroughness and he
is exceedingly stern with all inefficients,
whether they are officers or soldiers.
Slouchy bearing annoys him fearfully
and he takes an active and penetrating
interest in shoes. buttons and bright
metal. He is exceedingly chary Of
praise. Probably nobody in the army
will ever call him Papa Pershing, but
for all that he is a Roman father to
his men.
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