A STANDARDIZED TRAINING.

After a long period of investigation the War Department has finally worked out a scheme for the training of reserve officers in the colleges and universities of this country. The introduction of the course outlined in Captain Schindel's article depends upon its approval and acceptance by the authorities of each individual institution.

The most encouraging feature of this tentative plan is the fact that is the fact that it represents the first attempt to standardize and unify the sporadic organizations existing in many colleges for the training of reserve officers. During the past few years the forming of school battalions, business men's drill companies, and college regiments have justly received the greatest praise and encouragement. Such movments have been most important in the campaign to impress upon the public the imperative need of an adequate defence program. The three great preparedness parades in New York, Chicago, and Boston have given evidence that public opinion has at last been thoroughly aroused.

Now comes the need of a standardized, comprehensive system of training directed by the War Department. For this reason the proposed scheme is a welcome and progressive step forward. The possibility of a man gaining enough military knowledge during his college course to be appointed a second lieutenant in a volunteer army is an incentive far more concrete than any ideas of duty and patriotism.