Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-22
MILITARY COURSES
FOR MACON
DR.. Blackwell Seeks Aid Of Canadian
Invalided Officers as In
StruCtorS.
TELLS OF TRIP TO CANADA
Finds People There Enthusiastic in
Determination to Rush War to
Successful Conclusion - Many
Women Arc in Mourning.

President r. e. Blackwell Of Ran
dolph- Macon College. Ashland. has
just returned from a trip to Canada.
where he made an effort 10 obtain in
valided Canadian officers TO become in
structors of the boys at Randolph
Macon during the session OF 1917-19lS.
1t is we'll known to all who are ac-
quainted with President Blackwelrs
views on military preparedness that
even before the present war was talked
of he was an ardent advocate OF mill
tary training for the boys of Randolph
Macon. Now that this country is see
ing the wisdom of military prepared
ness not only Randolph Macon. but
many other colleges throughout the
country are making arrangements for
placing military training in the regu
lar curriculum.
In order TO obtain military instruc-
tors for the college, DIR. Blackwell
some time ago applied TO the United
States War Department. but being
without success because of the need
of officers in the present emergency.
be turned to Canada. seeking officers
who had seen service in France. but
who were unable to GO back to the
front because OF their invaded condi-
ton. While his success even there
was not assured, the Canadian auth ori-
itios showed great interest. and prom
ised to do what they could.
GREAT IMPETUS FOR
MILITARY TRAINING
In speaking Of the new movemcnI to
put military training into the colleges.
DR.. Bla ckwell said:
1.-The movement TO put military train
ing into the colleges has received a
great impetus In the South. Randolph
Macon Academy, at Front Royal, Va
has been turned into n military school
At the college we shall give military
training like that given at the Nir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute. famed for
the excellence of its training. All
matriculants, except those physically
unfit. will be enrolled in the military
training classes.
Our program now is to keep this up
as long as the war lasts, for we feel
that it may last long enough for the
training of these boys to be of service
to the country. ! think that the bene-
fits will be found to be so large that
in many of the Southern colleges after
the war is over. think the movement
will be found to embrace most of the
colleges of the country by the time the
19l7-lslS session begins
las you know, our college has a
large number of clerGymen as direc-
tors, but when the proposal of mil
itary classes was put before the board,
there was only one dissenting vote.
and that director was not n clergy
man. II was gratifying reception
for a plan that felt was for the
good of the boys and of the country.
1.-The plans that we have worked
ha Nfro L.
of the military classes hardship,
with the same classical curriculum as
before. The military training will
take the place of physical culture
classes and part of the athletics l
think there will be little opposition
on the part of the students TO this
program
TELLS OF CONDITIONS
OBSERVED IN CANADA
Being in Canada about one month
Dr. Blackwell took occasion TO observe
the attitude of the people there toward
the war. and the conditions resulting
from the wars eXactions. He saws that
many boys. by reason of their en-
thuslasm. were lead to overstate their
age In order 10 join the colors He
saw many invaded soldiers who ha d
oeen al the front, who did not look. TO
be over eighteen years of age He
number of women seen who were wear
ing mourning. On one block in Mon
treal, on one side of the street he
counted fifty women CARRIED in mourn
inG. said he. They show a fine at
titude, bearing their losses bravely:
Inc! are or one mind only: 10 whip
the Germans"
President Blackwell SAYS our neon1e
nave not Yet reached the point of
enthusiasm which has been attained
by the Canadians. but he predicted
That this country is going 10 wake
up as soon as our troops &c, into a
big battle. :"
ne beiieves. from what he heard
and saw while in Canada 1b,, -
conscription bill Will not PASS for
sefera! months yet However. he
states that the Catholic opposition in
quebec Is beginning TO break up