TEACHERS FROM THE TRENCHES

In the days of the Revolution a Frenchman came to America to help the cause of liberty. Lafayette, with his well-trained troops, did a great deal in teaching the soldiers of Washington and the great commander himself the latest methods of warfare.

Day before yesterday six French officers sailed from Bordeaux for Cambridge on a mission somewhat similar--to train the members of the R. O. T. C. in all phases of modern trench warfare. Military science has been revolutionized since the days of the Spanish-American war, our last war. Tactics count a great deal more, strategy much less. It is all important that our soldiers should know how to handle the new implements of warfare and understand their use. A platoon leader today has to do more than judge the range for his men and lead them over a ploughed field. He must know the topography of the enemy's ground perfectly before the charge is even contemplated. This is but one of the many new duties of leaders in modern warfare. As all these officers have served on the western front they will fill an invaluable place on the teaching staff of the R. O. T. C.

Harvard will indeed be glad to welcome men who have already shed their blood for our common cause, and their coming is one of the first significant steps taken in bringing about the co-operation so essential in this great universal war against autocracy.