The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-09-14

(Pecedlng LESSONS. l. iour root VI
Honor. 2. Making Good as Sol
der. 8. Nine Qualities Of Soldier.
4. Getting Ready for Camp. B. First
Days in Camp. 6. Cleanliness in
Camp. Z. Your Health. 8. March,
ing and Care of Feet. 8. Your
Equipment and Arms. 10. Recrea-
ton in Camp. IL. Playing the
Game. IL. Team Work in the
Army. 10. Grouping Men into
Teams. IA. The Team Leaders. 10.
Fighting Arms of the Service. 16,
staff Branches of the Service-I. II.
STAFF Branches of the Service, II.
10. Army Insignia. 10. The Army
System of Training. 20. Close-Or-
der Drill. q. Extended Order
Drill. %. Guard Duty. %. Getting
Ahead in the Army. "a. Army Cour-
tesy. rs. Discipline and Respect for
the Colors. 26. Some National Ira
ditions.. 27. The Spirit of the Ser
vice. 2S. Why We Fight.)
In previous sections of this Course
army life and service have been de-
scribed without special reference to
the changes brought about by the
present war. There are important
changes, and methods, of training and
Of fighting used in previous wars
must, of course, be modified accord
ingly.
The extent of these changes, how
ever, is often exaggerated. At bottom
the qualities that make good soldier
or an efficient army remain the same
today that they were before the war
The changes that affect the individual
soldier have to do chiefly with weap,
ons.
But behind every weapon there II
a man. If the weapon is to be USED
effectively, the man must be wei
trained, disciplined, cool, and brave
He must have spirit, tenacity, ant
self-reliance. The big problem now
Just as in all other wars. is to develol
these qualities-and the other soldier
ly qualities-to their highest extent
The chief difference probably come
in the fact that self-reliance is big
ger factor than in most previous wars
And in American armies this qualit
has always been highly valued an
we'll developed.
This brief lesson can not, of course
enter into a discussion of technics
questions which belong in the field c
military science. 1t will simply poir
out a few of the striking features {
direct interest to every man VIII
reaches the front.
Character Of Present War
This war differs from previous wal
chiefly in the enormous increase
the use of artillery. This is due par
ly to the immense manufacturing r
sources of the countries at war, whit
enables them to produce great nur
bers of guns and great quantities
ammunition. 1t Is due also to the ne
methods of directing gun fire fro
airplanes. 1t is evident that a q
can not be accurately aimed at an o
ject the exact location of which is u
known. The airplane, however,
able to bring back or signal back Il
information, SO that the artillery m
now be used with much greater effe
The size Of the guns and the force
the explosive shells fired from the
have also been largely increased.
Partly as result Of these impro,
ments in artillery, 1t has been nee,
sary to develop better methods of pl
lection. The protection of troops OF
sists of digging stronger field {
trenohments than have been nee
sary in previous wars. Here we hs
the main reason for the social
trench warfare" which during
last three years has largely taken
place Of former methods of NOV
armies about freely until they ca
into conflict with each other.
ging trenches and throwing up bres
works for protection against
enemy's fire is, of course, not a n
thing in warfare. It is being done