The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-16
|SHANKS UPHOLDS DEFENSE TEST
 IN CAMP SPEECH
5000 State Troopers Hear
 Fourth Corps Com mander :,
tBy Staff Correspondent)


 CAMP. MCCLELLAN, ANNISTON, Ala, Aug. 15.--Speaking with great vigor. Major General David c. Shanks, commanding the Fourth corps area, United States Army, assaulted the forces attempting to kill the spirit of the National Defense Day test, Septem- Der 12,. here today, before an audience of 5000 National guards from Louisi- ana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia and North and South Carolina
 Those who are opposed to the plan could be divided into two classes" the general said. "In the first class are included those who tremble with fright at anything that suggests war, and the other one is composed of those who are ignorant of the purposes of the plan," said General Shanks.
 Purpose Is Two Fold
 "The purpose of the Defense Test Day plan is two fold" he explained. "Wes wish to arouse the patriotic spirit among the citizens of this great cOun. try, and also to give the public an idea of the military protection offered them. If we aruse the patriotic spirit of the citizens, then they will offer themselves as part of the national defense. thus assuring us of power ful national defense" he added.
 In attacking the political figures of the nation who have outwardly opposed the plan,l General Shanks said
 Governor Bryan of Nebraska stated in recent statement that he was op- posed to the plan, on the grounds that over million men would answer the, call of the colors in a day,if war threatened this country.
 "No doubt he is right, but those mil lion men would not9eOnstitute an army, but mob. Green recruits have too |pften ill the past demonstrated that they cannot win war. Look at Get tysburg. and the disastrous defeat of President Monroe and 1000 Americans, crushed by a mere handful of British CTS, who later burned the White House, capitol. public treasury and the other buildings of the national government in Washington. This happened because those men were green recruits, mus tered into the service on short notice"
 General Shanks told of the reaction of the war on the military units and especially the national guards of the states. caused, he said, by men com ing home from abroad and saying never again"
 Sees Tides Turn
 "But, the tide has turned" he said, land the national guards are now en- listing without trouble. Young men from the best families that can be found"
 In closing, General Shanks thanked the national guards of the six south ern states of which he is commander, for their patient attention"
 Following the address, which was given on the polo field, southeast of the camp, the guards marched from the field and entered on their respective duties.
 The Sixteenth infantry, composed entirely of Alabama troops, again hiked four and one-half miles to the rifle range, where they were instructed in the manner in which to fire while in standing position. Yesterday the men were taught how to fire while in prone position without rest, prone position with rest, kneeling position and sit ting position. S
 Local Men Instructed
 The machine gun companies from Birmingham are now daily receiving instructions in the method of loading, firing and general usage fmachine guns. They are in command of Capt. Harry B. Smith, of Birmingham. They will not receive instructions in any other branch of military tactics this year. Captain Smith and his company will devote their time entirely in thoroughly learning the machine gun. They will go on the machine gun range again soon.
 The most Important part of the pro- gram of training tomorrow is a regi- mental review. The 167th infantry regiment will be reviewed by Colonel Bare commander.
 The review will be held on the regi- mental reviewing ground and is to be staged in conjunction with a full field inspection by the commanding officers. This will be the first of series of inspections of the equipment and the men were busy to a late hour tonight getting ready for what they say is the . "crisis" of their camp stay.