The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-14

maneuvering fields will be laid, out
for actual drilling and, most inn
portant from the soldiers view point,
the rifle range and artillery fields
will give opportunity not only for
direct fire in view of the targets but
for indirect fire and barrage or cur
tain fire. The great range of the
modern rifle permits indirect small
arm fire, a thing impossible with
the old musket, and the soldiers will
be instructed in elevating the rife
so that an Intervening hill would not
prevent the destructive effect of the
yolley.
There will be sufficient men under
arms at each cantonnent to form
at least two divisions of $4,000 men,
as employed in France and Belgium,
and intensive maneuvers with the
European division as unit will
familiarize officers and men with
conditions such as they probably
will meet on the battle field and in
trench warfare.
That no detail Of training for
actual warfare may be lacking each
cantonment will contain the vari-
Gus arms Of the service with the
exception of cavalry. At least one
Wv lSIOu VI VIII dAu Al
conjunction with field artillery,
engineers, signal battalion and aero
squadron and the support of heavy
artillery. To assist in the maneu-
vers there will be approximately
10000 animals, artillery horses and
mules and wagon train animals. as
well as thousands of motor trucks
and vehicles. 49,,
A Thousand Officers.
The soldiers will be commanded at
each cantonment by nearly a thous-
and officers and many more nom
commissioned officers - sergeants
and corporals selected from the
ranks. Announcement has been made
by the war department that promo
tions will be made for each army
division, opening the way for ambit-
ious private soldiers to rise to posi-
tons of command.
The details of the routine for the
soldier during his stay at the can
comments are largely at the dis
erection of the commandant of each
camp and no hard and fast regula-
tions have been issued covering the
course of instruction. In a broad
way the drills are expected to fol-
low the intensive training given to
the students at the officers training
camps where the men who will hold
minor commands at the canton
ments received their education in
military affairs. .
Revielle will rouse the men at 5
o'clock, and their subsequent activ-
tiles will include morning and af-
ternoon drill first in "the school of
the soldier" which calls for master
ing the manual of arms, learning
to stand, walk and run properly,
the efficient care Of weapons and the
use of the rifle. Then comes the
school of the squad in which the
soldier learns to act in conjunction
with his seven squadmates; then the
school of the company" with pla-
toon formations, then the school of
the battalion" and lastly duties as
a pnrt of the regiment brigade, and
division. ~..
While all this is being accomplish
ed he is becoming acquainted with
his rife and an expert in its use.
Mindful of the lessons of the great
war in which he soon may be a
participant, special attention will
be paid to the soldiers bayonet ex-
ercises and practice in bombing and
grenade throwing will be given. Be-
fore the instruction is complete gas
masks will become familiar to the
soldier and all the details of trench
warfare from digging the trench to
defending it against every conceiv-
able attack, will receive careful at
tention.
Broken In BY Leagues.
At first the work will be light but
as the soldiers of the new army be-
come hardened, long marches, and
exhausting drills will supplant the
lighter exercises and Mt the soldiers
for their task. .....
Drill. drill. drill" will by no
means be the only activity at the
cantonments and recreation has been
carefully planned. In the intervals
of maneuvers, baseball, football and
other sports, particularly those of
an athletic nature, will be encour-
aged. Experts in wrestling, fencing,
swimming and boxing will impart
their skill to the men. Moving pic
lures and entertainments will help
to while away evening hours.
Every effort will be made by the
officers in charge to protect the men
from evil influences and the camp
morals will be under constant sup
ervision. The entertainment Of the
men will be largely under the direc-
ton of company chaplains.
Reading rooms, facilities for writ
ing and opportunities for indoor
have been arranged, all
with a view to making the soldier
contented and cheer
full that he may more quickly learn