Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-04-24
PREPARING TO LIVE
Present War Demonstrates
Value of Thorough
Preparation.

Won Moltke was in bed on July 19th
1870, when about midnight he receiv-
ed word that France had declared war
against Prussia. 1t is said he directed
his orderly to the upper left hand
drawer in his desk and went to sleep
again. In the desk were found all the
preparations for mobilization; tele-
grams We're to be sent in accordance
with the orders. Within twelve days
million and quarter Prussians were
modified for war. Within a COM
parative short time Sedan had been
won, and Paris at once taken. The
German empire was assured.
This war is demonstrating the value
of similar preparation on the part of
the German military officers. An ex-
act and detailed knowledge OF physics,
chemistry and the scence of war has
been used to great advantage from the
first by the German armies. Thor
ough preparation was evidenced in ev-
cry move. The resistance of Belgium
interfered with we'll laid plans.
Training Schools for Every Branch.
The war as it affects the United
States has also demonstrated the need
of training. The camps and canton
ments themselves are great schools or
colleges in which men may receive
education, training, discipline for the
work in hand. Schools are held for
grades of men in the army from priv
ates to the headquarters staff includ-
ing generals. There are schools and
training for every branch of the SER
vice-infantry, artillery, signal corps,
engineers, etc. From the simple
school of the squad, specialized train
ing is required in workmanship, bay
onet practice, combat firing, sharp
shooting, equitation and first aid.
Furthermore, nuremous ingenious
devices have been constructed to ia
cilitate this practice and enable the
men to develop skill in offense and de-
Tense which will stand them in good
stead in actual warfare.
Greater and More Capable Army Life.
In addition to these lines of train
ing, distinctly militaristic, collateral
schools have been held Glasses in
French, some compulsory and some
voluntary, and practice in singing are
preparing men for changed conditions
in a foreign land. In addition to
these notice is given elsewhere in this
paper of a Third Officers Training
School to which five hundred privates
and non commissioned officers have
been sent for more than twelve weeks.
day and studied every night in the
hope that in the end that might be
found worthy of a commission in the
Liberty Army. The school was divid-
ed into two sections, one for infantry,
another for artillery Examinations
are over. Theses are written. School
is about to be dismissed. Commence
iiieiit is here, the commencement OF
larger. and more capable army life, de-
pendent upon the faithful work in this
school.
Political Pull Counts for Little.
These men know that political pun
counts for less than at any time in the
past; that social position does not give
man the place of power. In the
words of Frank A. Vanderlip, of New
York, There are no elevators in the
house of success" The men who
want to get to the top must climb
there step by step. AS one of our
poets has said:
1--WE build the ladder by which we rise,
From the lowly earth to the vaulted
skies,
And we climb to the summit round
by round"
C r T,