uring efficiency adopted by the War Department, but before judgment is made I would point out to you that any standard of this nature to be of uniform value must be relatively simple, require but little equipment and space to make the test. Anybody with proper instruction can test a man for all-around athletic achievement in a well equipped gymnasium, but how many can do it in the hasty war-time camp where there are 30 or 40 thousand men to be tested and a poorly equipped gymnasium with a capacity of 150 or 200, or in a city school system comprising hundreds of thousands of pupils with the limited equipment with which we are all too familiar? Therefore, the test decided upon must meet this one condition. It must be practicable.

In addition to the athletic training which we require to insure that the man is physically able to do his part, the Army gives much attention to recreational athletics in the forms of sport. Each post has its own baseball, football, basketball, boxing, track and field team, as well as teams of many other sports. In many of these they have their own league with participation by companies. The intra-post competitions having been decided, the station team is selected and goes forth to beat the other fellow. These competitions have been unusually successful among the Regular Army troops in the 2nd Corps Area, which includes the States of New York, New Jersey and Delaware. The rivalry between the various post athletic teams has been great and in addition civilian teams in neighboring towns are encouraged to participate.

It is worthy of note that this entire recreational program is financed by the soldier himself and not one penny is appropriated by Congress for that purpose. Funds are raised in various ways— by admission to the games, by appropriations from the post exchange council and in many instances by the forming of an athletic association to which soldier members pay a certain sum as dues. It may be stated that recreational athletics contribute more to the contentment and morale of the command than any other individual agency. In addition by arranging inter-company competitions and encouraging wholesale participation the standards of athletic achievement mentioned earlier are more readily achieved.

The best known institution in the Army is undoubtedly the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. I dare say that everyone has read with satisfaction, or chagrin, depending upon whether they are for the Army or the Navy, of the prowess of the West Point teams on the gridiron or the diamond. I wonder how many have ever stopped to think of how it is that the two service institutions are

able to achieve such uniformly high standard of success in athletics with such a small student body. Many no doubt attribute this success to the very strenuous physical requirements upon entrance, but such is not the case, as the entrance requirements to West Point are but a little more rigid than for an enlisted man in the Regular Army which requirement is, as I have already stated, somewhat short of the physical stamina necessary to be a satisfactory soldier. What, then, is the explanation? The purpose of the West Point Military Academy is to train officers. As a part of this training and in view of the importance given to physical stamina in the Army the cadet must not only be able to measure up to the highest standard of physical achievement but, and far more important, be able to teach it to the men under him. This need has resulted in the introduction at the U. S. Military Academy of what is no doubt the most thorough and elaborate scheme of supervised, compulsory athletic training ever attempted anywhere, with athletic instruction placed on the same par as military drills.

Every cadet is required to participate in each of the prescribed activities, which embrace football, baseball, basketball, track and field, soccor, lacrosse, tennis, golf, polo and swimming. A record is kept throughout the four years and the efficiency in the various activities is known. In certain of the field and track events, as in the Regular Army, the cadet is required to reach certain standards and each successive year he is in the Academy the standard of achievement is increased.

This undertaking is without precedent anywhere, its closest duplicate being the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. In general the entire scheme is founded upon the same principles upon which the Military Academy is founded, i. e., the equality of its students in every respect and in all things.

In the administration of this system The Master of the Sword is the Officerin-Charge, assisted by officers and members of the first class. Individual supervision is possible as the work is so organized that not more than 25 men are assigned under any one coach. Utilization of cadet first-classmen, the graduating class, gives them practical experience in coaching and fits them for transmitting their knowledge after they are commissioned and assigned to the Army.

Every cadet is rated in every activity in which he participates and for the first time in the history of the Academy credit for graduation is given for achievement in athletics. To carry on a schedule of this kind the following fields are required four for football, four for baseball, four for soccor, four for lacrosse, three basketball courts and ten

tennis courts. Football fields are utilized for baseball and the soccor fields for lacrosse.

The incalculable value of this instruction has already manifested itself in many ways in the individual cadet and in the cadet corps in general. A mutual respect is engendered between individuals and classes that cannot fail to contribute materially towards eradicating any tendency on the part of the upper classmen to take advantage of the 4th classmen. In addition, manliness, initiative, assuredness and confidence are developed to a degree impossible by any other means yet developed. Hundreds of cadets in whom these attributes might never have been vitalized are for the first time given a chance to find themselves. This course of instruction has now been in operation since July, 1920, and the results have exceeded by far the expectations of even the most sanguine.

In any major conflict the United States will be taxed to its full resources in man power, and we of the Army are vitally interested in any movement that leads to the physical betterment of our youth. How, then, may our experiences be utilized? The system of training and recreational athletics we practice is adaptable with but little modification to any school, college, industry or association of boys' and girls' clubs in the country. To those who are doubtful I can point out what is being accomplished in New Jersey through the medium of the National Guard Armories. At the request of the Adjutant General of New Jersey, General Gilkyson, the civilian recreational specialist employed by the Second Corps Area Major F. A. Wandle of the Officers' Reserve Corps, was lent to the National Guard of New Jersey to develop their recreation along the lines we had developed it in the Regular Army. This was done with most satisfactory results, and a program of indoor track and field events was scheduled for every other Saturday during the winter. In addition to the events for the National Guard and Naval Militia, events for the high, grammar and parochial schools, both boys and girls, members of various industrial leagues and veteran organizations were arranged. To date over 4,000 people have actually taken part in these contests and they have been the means of interesting thousands more.

The nation's problem is our problem, and the Army is more than ever interested in spreading the doctrine of physical upbuilding and well being to the present and coming generations of the United States, for in so doing we go one step further in accomplishing the one great mission of the Army: i.e., making the country stronger for national defense.

W

The

ITH approximately 40 horses at their disposal an Army polo team has been assembled at Mitchel Field, Long Island, and a polo center established in the vicinity of Meadow Brook and other well known polo clubs, giving the Army team an opportunity to participate in practice games with many of the recognized polo authorities in this country. May 24, 1923, in compliance with the direction of General Pershing, the Central Polo Committee at Washington submitted to the Chief of Staff of the Army a memorandum discussing the plans for participation in important national polo tournaments during the present season. plan of the committee recommended that the course so successfully pursued last year, resulting in the winning of the Junior Championship and the Rathborne Memorial Championship, be followed again this year. In accordance with the recommendation five players have been assembled for six weeks' practice and the team will proceed to Narragansett Pier, R. I., to play in the Junior Championship Tournament to be held in August.

The recommendation for the polo center probably originated with Lieut. Colonel W. F. H. Godson, Major Terry Allen and Major Walter R. Weaver. The first two officers are on duty with the 61st Cavalry Division, Organized Reserves, and were interested in securing ponies in order that Reserve officers might have an opportunity

British Army Team Coming; Will Play Americans at Meadow Brook in September

its goal limit. Further, it will be a feeder for future Army teams and will be prepared to replace any casualties that may occur this year.

In addition to participation in national tournaments the team assembled at Mitchel Field will meet a representative four from the British Army at Meadow Brook the second week in September. This will be the first of an annual series of championship matches, marking a departure in international polo events.

the 14th Hussars. Major Vivian N. Lockett of the 17th Lancers, Lieut. Col. the Hon. J. D. Y. Bingham commander of the 15th Hussars; substitute, Lieut. W. S. McCreery, of the 12 Royal Lancers.

The Central Polo Committee of the Army has been able to have the transportation expense of the officers, cn'isted attendants and mounts cared for by the Government. Other legitimate expenditures will be paid from a fund which has been raised by means of a voluntary subscription from polo clubs throughout the Army.

The Army team proposes to make a determined fight th's year to retain the Junior Championship and may enter the Atlan ic Cups at Narragansett. It has

to play polo and to hold classes in equitation. Major Weaver wanted to get horses in order that his officers might have an opportunity for exercise. He had two polo fields constructed and while these will not be available this season, in another year they will be in condition and the Army Polo Center will be a realty if the present plans are carried out.

In addition to the team at Mitchel Field several other Army players have been assembled at Washington to try out and train for the "Twelve Goal Championship," a new event which has been added by the Polo Association for teams not exceeding 12 goals-no player over 4 goals. This team practicing at Washington will be available not only for the 12-goal tournament. but for the Rathborne Memorial and other events within

The Polo Association extended the invitation to the British Army team and General Pershing communicated with General the Earl of Cavan, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, stating that he hoped such events would lead not only to the development of polo in the respective armies, but would tend to foster and extend the pleasant relations between nations.

Announcement comes from London that the members of the British Army team to come to America this fall have been chosen. The team will be entertained at Mitchel Field where quarters, stables and practice fields are being made available for them.

The British team includes Lieut. Col. T. P. Melville, commanding officer of the 17th Lancers, Major F. B. Hurndall, of

already begun the practice season a month in advance of last year. The team at Mitchel Field is composed of. Lieut. Colonel Lewis Brown, Cav., Major A. H. Wilson, Cav., Major W. W. Erwin, Cav.. Major L. A. Beard, Q. M. C., and Major J. K. Herr, G. S. C. Lieut. Colonel Brown has been designated by the Committee as Captain of the team and he has been given complete control of everything in connection with players, training, entry, etc.

The horses are generally the same as last year-12 from the Military Academy, 6 from the Cavalry School, 4 from Fort Bliss, 3 from the War Department string which recently arrived from Germany, 6 belonging to Major Beard, and one excellent private mount generously loaned

by Major C. P. George, F.A.

Major J. K. Herr, hadcp 3, is the only newcomer on the team. He has been playing abroad the last few years in Germany, Spain and England as a member of the team of the expeditionary forces. In practice games in the vicinity of Meadow Brook, the Army has made a very encouraging showing playing teams composed of such well known poloists as Louis Stoddard, Watson Webb, Marshall Field, and Devereaux Milburn.

Again this year the horses are under the direction of Lieut. Thomas McCreery, the man whose capable handling of the string last summer had so much to do with the Army triumph. Already a wellknown trainer, he enhanced his reputation in 1922 and apparently is headed for another big season.

N

EW YORK has at its very door one of the oldest and most interesting spots of American history standing as a monument to the never ending vigilance of the Army of the United States. From the dim past of Indian occupation, down through the sturdy Dutch period of Van Twiller and Peter Stuyvesant and the more elegant days of Sir Edmund Antrobus, the Earl of Bellemont, Colonel de Peyster, Garardus Beekman, James de Lancey and many others of the English line of governors, Governors Island has an unbroken history of official Government existence of a century and a half before American history begins.

The Indian name for this island was "Pagganck" referring to the abundance of nut trees with which it was clothed. The Dutch translated it "Nutten" and on June 16, 1637, the Director and Council of New Netherlands, residing on the Island of Manahatas, in the Fort Amsterdam (Bowling Green) published the order according to which two Indians of the Island Pagganck, to wit, Cakapeteyno and Pehiwas, did "transport, cede, give over and convey to the behoof of Wouter Van Twiller, Director of New Netherlands, this island, in consideration of certain 'parcels of goods'." And so, in some such simple form of transportation as the ancient engraving above portrays they doubtless glided away to fish in other waters and enjoy their "parcels of goods" on other shores.

In 1698 the island was set aside by the Assembly as part of the Denizen of His Majestie's Fort at New York for the benefit of His Majestie's Governors and so it became known as "The Governor's Island." The word "the" has by common usage been dropped from the title and in military papers and communica

Famous Old Army Post Has Survived Under the Rule of Three Flags

tions the apostrophe has also been discontinued. In 1674 the English took final possession of New York from the Dutch and held Governors Island until the Evacuation in 1783. During that period the various governors held the island as a perquisite of the office, and about 1702 Lord Cornbury built a pleasure house for himself and his successors.

The records show that Sir William Pepperill's Regiment was on the island in 1755 and other regiments were soon on duty here, as the 22nd and 44th, as well as the Royal American Regiment. This last named regiment deserves more than passing notice. for it afterward became and now is the famous King's Royal Rifle Corps, of which the King of England is Honourary Colonel. In January, 1921, Lord Grenfell, Field Marshal, and Senior Colonel of the Royal Rifles, presented in the name of the officers and men of the Rifles the ancient regimental color of the regiment and it was installed with imposing ceremonies in the post chapel of Saint Cornelius the Centurion, where it now hangs on the right of the line of historic American battle flags as-to quote from Lord Grenfell's letter of gift-"a memento of the fact that the Royal American Regiment and the regiments of New York fought shoulder to shoulder not only during the many years of warfare which ended in the conquest of New France and the subjection of the Indian Tribes bordering on the Great Lakes, but also, after the lapse of a century and a half, against a common enemy in a more terrible European conflict."

That General Washington appreciated the importance of Governors Island as an important point of defense is manifest from a letter to General Lee, dated May 9, 1776, wherein he says: "My dear Lee:

"Governors Island has a large and strong work erected and a regiment encamped there. All the ships of war have left this place and gone down to the Hook except the Asia. *

"I remain your most affectionate,
"G. Washington."

The "strong work" referred to was erected by General Putnam who on April 8. 1776, went to the island at candle lighting where his men worked all night and raised breastworks to cover the troops from the fire of the ships.

The battle of Long Island occurred on August 27, 1776, and as a part of the battle Governors Island was bombarded heavily by four ships of Admiral Howe's fleet. To this day cannon balls are frequently dug up in various parts of the island representing this bombardment.

With the evacuation of the English forces in 1783 the American Army took possession of the works and elaborated them until the present Fort Jay was finally completed in 1801, as it remains to this day, a fine example of mediaeval fortification, with moat, sally port, draw bridge and postern gate, mounted with 100 guns. The name was changed to Fort Columbus and the fort was entirely completed in permanent form in 1806. The name of Fort Jay was restored by direction of Secretary of War Elihu Root on January 20, 1904. Many old New Yorkers, however, still recall and use the title of Fort Columbus which it bore for 98 years.

Castle Williams was built by Colonel (Continued on Page Fifteen)

Reenlisments on the Increase

The campaign for reenlistments is making headway. Slowly but surely the Army is realizing that one of the best places to get enlistments is within its own ranks and that this cannot be done properly without a working plan intelligently followed up throughout a soldier's entire enlistment.

Reports at hand indicate that, with but one or two exceptions, every corps area made a substantial increase in its percentage of reenlistments for June. Although all reports are not in, it appears that the 7th Corps Area leads with the unusually high mark of 57 per cent, followed closely by the 8th Corps Area with 55.8 per cent. Other corps areas did not do as well but still showed an increase over preceding months.

On the whole this is a splendid showing. The attention now being given this important phase of recruiting augurs well for the future.

General Pershing's Inspection Tour Desiring to gain an intimate personal knowledge of the progress being made in the training camps for the development of an efficient peace time nucleus of the Citizen Army, General Pershing is making an extended tour of inspection of the principal camps. As one who played a leading part in the adoption of the annual military training camp plan the trip must afford the General no little. satisfaction.

Starting with the New York Camps, General Pershing swung south and will cross the country to southern California, travel north along the Pacific coast and return east, stopping at all camps enroute. The last inspection scheduled is that of Camp Custer, Mich., on August 22.

There is no member of the Citizens' Military Training Camps or R. O. T. C. who is not pleased at an inspection by the General of the Armies and former commander of the A. E. F. His trip will arouse interest in the camps as nothing else could do.

War Department's 134th Anniversary August 9, 1789, the congress of the United States passed the following act:

"That there shall be an executive department to be designated the Department of War; and that there shall be a principal officer therein, to be called. the Secretary of the Department of War, who shall perform and execute such duties as shall from time to time be enjoined or entrusted to him by the President of the United States, agreeable to the constitution, relative to military commissions, or to the land or naval forces, ships or warlike stores of the United States, or to such other matters affecting military affairs as the President of the United States shall assign to the said Department; or relative to the granting of lands to persons entitled thereto for military services rendered to the United States; or relative to Indian affairs; and furthermore, that the said principal officer shall conduct the business of the said Department in such manner as the President of the United States shall from time to time instruct."

The first Secretary of War under the act was General Henry Knox, who had acted in a similar capacity for the Confederated Colonies during the revolution, and whose duties included most of those now devolving upon the Navy and Interior departments. This act is still in force, modified, and under it the War Department and the Army still have a great deal to do besides defending the country on land.

C. M. T. C. Again in Progress

For the third time since the Regular Army has taken over the duties of military mentor of the other components its activities center in conducting the Citizens' Military Training Camps. Approximately 33,000 young men of the country will receive this summer a most valuable and healthful cause instructors. of training under the guidance of carefully selected

During the year of the first camps the Adjutant General of the Army stated that one object of holding them was to prove to the parents of America that their sons would enjoy life under camp conditions and thrive on the training received. That this was accomplished may be verified from many sources-one being that each year the camps have increased in popularity.

In a speech delivered this summer, General Pershing stated that the citizenship training received in camps will enable the students, when they become of age, to take an intelligent participation in public affairs. The students have shown their appreciation of this phase of the C. M. T. C. by the formation of clubs, after the termination of the camps, in which they continue these citizenship studies. For the country as well as for the students these camps have been an unqualified success. Incidentally the pleasant experiences of the youngsters in camp has done much to efface certain prejudices against military training that still endure among the uninformed.