The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-01-24

cantOnmentS, also having hep1 LII
touch with the propaganda as given
out by publications, we will attempt
to describe some of the sidelights on
this country's gigantic military ma
chine. If kept in motion and properly
conducted by men behind who under
stand and can cope with situations
that arise it is bound to become the
most formidable fighting nation in the
world. But United States is hndlng
out not only that it is far behind IN
trained leaders and soldiers, but that
to realize as large and as efficient
army as they are bent on moldlng
from the enlisted men is task few OF
them dreamed of. After all our little
standing army of $4,000 was not a
drop in the bucket when compared
with the number held ready for war
and emergencies by the leading ma
tons of the world. Yet we Ameri-
cans boosted of being on top" truly
Iaudable boast, but INFESTED. For in
stance, we have interviewed great
number of old regular army men, most
of whom are now placed to instruct,
among the conscripted men as officers
and non-commissioned officers, and
they all admit that they have learned
more in the past three months about
actual war instruction. than they had
in all their previous experience. Does
this not show that we were paying but
little attention to our standing army?
And does this not show plainly the
situation and efficiency of our fighting
strength 1 would not he guilty of
the assertion that we have not as good
material or men to make the best sold
ier carrying a rife; but surely it is
high time we were taking the action
row being carried on by the govern
ment to make our boast good. 1t
would startle you to see some of the
French or English non-commissioned
officers and officers in action when
they are teaching the new methods of
walfore at these camps. Most of
them are here because they have been
wounded and can be spared by their
governments, not because they are
masters of military ways. In other
words they are not sent here because
they are sharks at the game-they are
the average. If such is the case it
IS an average that will take yer
intensive training to come up to. The
American is wonderfully apt pupil
and is picking up his military school
ing a rapid manner; without half
their training he has more initiative
and get there" spirit; he could make
any antagonist Ego some" to get him
and eventually, as say, he is going to
be unit in the mightiest war machine
In existence, but the job ahead of
those at the head of this military plan
is equally as big and mighty few
realize that fact.
Take for instance the item of ont
fitting this large army with clothing.
The main reason for the, delay in
calling the selective-conscripted men
TO the camps, we believe, is lack of
Clothing. Some of the men waited q
long time when they arrived in camp
to get their outfits and then they were
incomplete. On outfit does not last
long the way they are putting men
through the mill and this cry of news
papers criticising the "higher-ups" for
shortages that exist in the army is not
all incorrect. A pair of soles on
shoes has a short life and the men
must have another pair to take their
place or sickness will exist. This
subject is one of many that must be
COPIED with and it, in itself, is of
gigantlc proportions. You can sec
what shortage of blankets means IN
weather we are now having, living in
barrack buildings not put up in II
most substantial manner. Those at
the head must also learn by exner-
fence. 1t is admitted that the Can
adlan soldiers uniform as we'll &c
those at the front in Europe has a
larger per centage of wool in them
tnan ours. Perhaps the government
4
would do better if they took this mat
ter like they have done with the rail-
roads, OF turning out clothing instead
OF letting out contracts to manufact-
urlng concerns. We must admit that
some American MANUFACTURING CON
Germs are making all they can out of
what they are supplying for the
army. Uniforms should not he
thrown together" and Uncle Sam
could remedy this.
49, -
DOESN'T it seem useless to see humid
reds of men digging trenches. some
Times cutting their way through for.
ests; sometimes digging, picking and
shoveling their way through solid
rock; sometimes in the worst kind of
weather. In this age of enlightment
why should such things be? Yet if is
absolutely essential that these miles
OF trenches, barb wire entanglements
ana dugouts be constructed. We mnst
keep this huge military machines
wheels moving and yoo,,;,