El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-07-11
OUR NATIONAL ARMY is TO BE
DEMOCRATIC IN FULL SENSE

NIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND Of our young
VIII enter of the most democratic insti-
- tutions Of democratic country the United States
army where every otcer and enlisted man VIII STAND
bis merits and by them rise, stand still, OF fall
There is a Widespread fallacy that army IS not
democratic but IS Handicapped by the closely drawn INES
Of caste system rigid that IN some European armies
That belief has kept down enlistments IN army In
the past without doubt Of the dstaste young
Americans have felt for army life is due that map
prehenson fostered by discharged soldiers who did not
iii into the arrv men who resented the strict discipline
which good amy must have In order that the who
viii compose the National army may get night start,
especially those from FL Paso and its envIrons, there
should be better understanding Of the caste system
Of democracy In the leading armies Of the world.
We have read so much Of the socaued democratic amy
Of France that have to believe the French army
system makes equals Of 0ceIs ana esIed men ana Jna
q gathering Of French troops must be something ike
meeting Of the first ward Democratic club Nothing could
be farther from the truth. The French army Is not
happy 20 lucky self governing institution. No such army
could maintain highly complex organization IN var OF
DISPLAY such military skin on the field Of battle The
distinction stands clearly in the French
army In any other and the discipline Is as thorough
Il lacks the brutality which accompanies the discipline
II the German army for the French army, Ike our OWL
IS composed of free who enter the service ike free
men and spring to obey orders without blow
The democracy Of the French army lies in the fact
hat as IN our own army, ability IS rewarded IN Whatever
may be found regardless Of social position or pou-
cal influence An army is not democratic which gives rank
only 20 those who hold certain social position who
have influence with the government.
The British regular amy Of the days before the
vas an example Of aristOcratc army The officers
were all "of good family" doubtless the theory that
blood viii tell" without taking into consideration the
that blood may also deeOrate Frequently there
were enlisted the old British army better qualified
10 command than the officers whose orders they were
obliged to obey.
10 a large extent has swept away the arstOcracy
Of the British army. When training camps for British
student officers established, candidates at first
almost altogether from those aIisocatic Institutions the
English universities and the uuarstocratc young
of no influence stood little chance Nothing open
him but 90 into the ranks Lattery this condition
has been changed and any bright young Briton has
his chance for commission Not only that but promo
tions Of enlisted Of demonstrated ability now
encouraged by the office So much for the aristoc
racy Of the British army But whereas the old British
army held the caste system the British navy has been
consistently very democratic IN the that its
nissioued grades open TO all who sought TO enter
by way Of the naval schools Every bright lad who cared
training free TO appear before admiralty
board Sizing up and If he impressed the board as
the Of boy likely to make good officer Tor Great
Britain he got his chance forthwith.
The caste system Of the German army differs some
what from that Of the old British army. Not only are
the lines closely drawn IN al ranks; not only officers
chosen from the socially eligible, thus constituting mill
zrv aristocraCy but soldier IN ranks Is not officer
OF tomorrow He does not feel responsibility for his
conduct IN any emergency except that he must obey
orders instantly the eyes Of his officers, he is half
animal and half machine subject at all times to the
orders Of any officer whether Of his command Of
any other the only provision being that officer
gives orders soldier Of another command he
responsibility for whatever duties the soldier may have