Weekly journal-miner., 1917-05-02

II prlvateS, (two as reel cart driv-
 CTS, two as horseshocrs, one as far
 rier, ono as saddler, one as wagoncr,
 one as mounted orderly, and three as artillery scouts).
 Complete Band, consisting of 36 pieces,
 42 Officers,
 1,l26 Enlisted Men,
 ! 24 Thrce-inch Field guns,
 72 Cassions,
 6 Store Wagons,
 6 Forges,
 Reel Carts,
 24 Horses, (eXtra pairs),
 2S Field Wagons,
 4 Mules, (eXtra teams). When you stop to think that all these men must be trained in the fine points and tcchnicalitics of the service you can readily sec what the function of the army is in time of peace It has been said by an eminent military authority, that the function of the army in time of peace is to prepare for war. This is undoubtedly true. but there are numerous other duties which fall 10 the lot of the army in time of peace, such as strike and riot duty, patroling boundaries and from tiers, rendering assistance in time of some disaster, and numerous other duties, not necessary to mention here.
 The regular army, in time of peace under normal conditions, IS one great school for the study and practice of military science and the art of wal Every officer and enlisted man must 90 to school. The subjects taken up are innumerablc. I could give you a list of subjects that would cover Q whole sheet and still not mention them all. They have to do with every branch, method and system connected with the army, either di- rcctly or indirectly.
 The Summer months and when the weather permits are given to field in structions, maneuvers drills, practice marches, and target practice, together with the necessary instruction con nccted herewith.
 The Winter months arc given tc garrison school, in which regular 1 classes are conducted in the various subjects, together with such practical work as can be given indoors, such as first aid to the injured, signal drill sighting and aiming, drill, etc.
 The ordinary layman is under tht impression that the soldiers time is practically his own in time of peace, but such is not the case. Both the officer and the enlisted man finds his tune very much taken up and yer, mrch crowded, ii anything of spc- cial nature occurs, to say nothing or the usual routine duties of camp and garrison.
 The first and foremost duty Of the army in time of war is to repel tho { invader, or to invade and hold hostil' 1 territory. That Is a very simpl' statement, without doubt, but stop and think for an instant what il means. Think of the plans that must ] be formulated, of the gigantic brain: l that formulate those plans, and sec that they arc carried into execution, | of the unexpected things that happen | that must be met by decisive methods 1 in order to preserve the integrity oi | the original plan. Think Of the pre- ciscncss with which all movements must be executed in order that tho last element may be in its propci place at the proper time. l am speak ! inC now Of modern warfare as wagcd on inc western front in Europe. Let us take for example the French charge ] IL is not as it used to be, when upon the command "ccasc firing and the charge was sounded, the men al dashed forward with fixed bayoncts yelling at the top of their lungs.
 The artillery has been preparing inc way for the past two weeks, with all calibres, both large and small, con suming such a vast amount of artll- lcrv ammunition that it is hardly con ccivablc to person who is moi actu- ally on the spot. Ii is said that moro artillery amlnurition is expended 1T one of these preparations than was used in the whole Bocr war. N"c' the time comes for the charge to start the men are all in their d"s;"r- -'r- places, armcd,-not with rifles, D|. with machine guns, bombs and Enircs. The officer who leads tLc charge IS behind the line with stop-watch in one hand and a pad and pencil in the other The signal is given to charge. |