Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-06-28
by MAJOR ALVA J. NILES.
National Army, Inspector Generals
DSpartmcnt)

By MAJOk AlaN \ J. NILES.
(National Army, Inspector Generals
D6partmcnt)
NNE Of the most fortunate re-
I suits OF the events of the last
~ three years Is that they have
brought the people and the army
closer together During the long
period OF peace following the Span
ish- American war. the army was
popularity regarded with languid in
torcst II not with indifference. 1t
was widely scattered among isolated
posts and our foreign possessions
whore its organization, character and
methods were beyond general OBJ
servation, and while the average citi-
zen, of course, knew that he had
an army he neither knew nor cared
what or where II was or what II
was doing or could do. In mis- opin-
ion 1t was a sort OF necessary evil
which he would gladly abolish If he
could, but which he was willing to
tolerate, provided II kept out of
sight and didn't bother him.
Peace and the great material pros
perlty OF the country had made the
people Indifferent TO their military
affairs. and save when the army
came into notice in restoring order
TO communities terrorized by mot
rule, or to protect the Mexican Dor
der from the ravages Of Mexican
! bandits, IL was ignored and neg
| lected. But with the entrance O
America into the present war all thi
was changed IN the space OF day
There was a loud, long, terrified CT,
for the army. What everybod.
wanted to know was, had we al
army, where was II, what did 1t con
sist OF. what was 1t capable OF do
ing and for goodness sake whel
could II be made ready for service
1t is true that our army was small
! the grand total OF standing arm.
and the national guard not amount
| ing TO more than two hundred anC
fifty thousand men of all arms be
cause OF an indifferent people wh'
could see nothing In the phrase, "il
time Of peace prepare for war bu
the reply OF this small army to thes'
agonized queries was an overwhelm
| ing rebuke 10 the thoughtless an'
| indifferent, The army, though
mere skeleton 1t was. had been har'
at work all the time, In spite o
neglect and disfavor II had gon
quietly ahead strengthening its or
ganizatlon, improving Its method
and training itself TO the task OF war
so that when war came 1t was read,
to form tho foundation OF the might,
army America Is now building anl
to which three-fourths OF the 'peopl,
OF the world are looking for liberia
ton. What there was OF 1t wa!
ready. and the people discovered al
OF sudden that the army was :
most excellent thing to have or
hand.
Public Realizes Importance.
Since then, 1t is pleasure to OBJ
serve, popular interest in the army
| both widespread and generous. The
people have acquired a better un'
derstanding OF the scope, character
and capabillty Of the army, and
what Is OF even greater importance
is the fact that they have come tc
appreciate the advantages OF the
military service, even as a profes.
SION and to realize the value OF It's
influence upon our social and econ.
omIc life.
The most marked tendency In
American commercial and lndustria
progress Is toward specialization
This tendency requires OF the indivi-
dual an increasing measure Of alert
ness adaptability. initiative and
obedience to authority. To develor
these qualities Is one OF the imme-
date and necessary results OF the
military service. The young man
who enters the army with character
Uniformed and mind unframed, awk-
ward in movement and uncouth In
manner, comes out of II "A wide
awake, vigorous, well-mannered
man, quite capable OF taking care OF
himself against any competition In
the vocatlons of peace. His army
training has made a large and last
ing addition 70 his assets ms n citi-
zen. It has fitted him for the duties
Of life more thoroughly than It could
have been done In any other school
within his reach and sent him into
the business world bearing a sense
OF self-reliancc, respect for law and
order and settled habits OF life and
conduct which are bound to Increase
his usefulness as citizen
Exerts Beneficial Influence.
In this way the army excrts a re-
flex influence upon our national life
which is both powerful and benefl-
cent. It is estimated that before
America IL through with the present
war she will have at least five mil
lion men In training, a great majority
Cf whom will live through II and
will return back into civil lifc at its
close. An overwhelming majority
Of these will be sober robust, self
respecting men far superior TO the
average citizen in general intelll-
gence, business ability and personal
bearing for the reason that they