Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-03-18
GIVE MILITARY
TRA|N|NGT0ALL,
S0LD|ERSR REPLY
Universal System Is Ap,
proved in Question
naire Test.
ALSO |NDORsE RESPECT
DEMANDED OF OFFICERS

Washington, March 17.-Overwhelming
Endorsement Of universal military train
ing system, coupled with equally strong
support for the existing disciplinary re-
lationship between officers and men of
the army. was expressed by q represen-
tative group of the selective service men
in the Twelfth division, Camp Devon,
Massachusetts, just before the organiZa-
tion was demobilized last January. The
opinions of the men. numbering 1,3S3O,
with an average length of service of 1O7
months, were obtained through care
fully arranged QUESTIONABLE system, with
every safeguard provided to insure alb
solutely free expression of opinion and
with such distribution in the division as
to make the answers representative.
The report of the inquiry was made
public today at the war department. 1t
Is headed;
Our military system as it appeared
70 Americas citizen soldiers
Majority Comedies Benefits.
Although half of the men questioned
were rated as dissatisfied with military
life. the report shows that S9.5 per cent
Of the replies expressed the soldiers be-
lief that he personally had benefited by
his army life, 79 per cent were glad of
their training, aside from feelings of pa
triotism, and IS per cent favored univer-
sal military training as a national policy
substantial majority agreed that the
existing relationship between officers and
men was necessary and disapproved the
social mixing of the rank and file.
/ Better Uniforms and Mess Urged.
The largest number of suggestions as
to improvements in the service received
had to do with fitting uniforms or
changes in mess arrangements.
There were more than 1900 men in
the Twelfth division at the time of in
quiry, representing AZ states. The or
ganization was awaiting orders for sailing
Tor France when the armistice was
signed. 1t then suffered more than two
months Of waiting for rehabilitation be-
fore the questionnaires were sent. out. |
and the officers who devised and super
vised the inquiry point out that it was |
thus calculated to reflect army morale at |
its low ebb.
Sought Views of Disconnected.
Every provision was made to ascertain |
the views of discontented men. in order
that the results might have real value
to the army. The commanders Of |
the eighty companies were furnished with
eighteen questionnaires each and in
etructed to give them to six men of high |
mteIiIsence ana raLeQ as gOOQ soldiers,
to six others of equal intelligence but
supposed to be discontented with army
life. to three good soldiers Of average
Intelligence and to three others of aver
age intelligence who had indicated views
hostile to military discipline The men
were told to submit their answers only
upon or after discharge. so
no fear of subsequent action by their
officers would impede the free expression
Of their views.
Impressions Registered.
Ten questions were submitted, each
respecting impressions to be gained from
the service. AS to the disciplinary rcla-
tions, 767 men answered it was ncces-
sary, against 135 who held it unneces-
sary; 29j said it was not harsh. against
IA of opposite view; 27S said it was
democratic and 165 the opposite, and
l93 held that it depended on the officer.
In the individual answers was found ma
terial which prompts the report to state
against the overbearing manner seen in
some young officers One soldier said:
!. 1t all depends on how much brains
God gave the officers
Continued on rage Two)