ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D. C. AT 5 CENTS PER COPY LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF EDUCATION, SIR: To meet the demand for information as to what provision is made in the several countries of the world for military teaching for boys of school age, I have caused to be prepared the manuscript. which is transmitted herewith and which I recommend for publication as a bulletin of the Bureau of Education. Respectfully submitted. The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. 4 P. P. CLAXTON, Commissioner. MILITARY TRAINING OF YOUTHS OF SCHOOL AGE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. INTRODUCTION. The matter presented in this circular relates to the military training of youths of school age, conducted either as a part of the regular school work or by independent agencies. Military instruction, of the exact nature and to the same extent as that given to soldiers, is not found in the schools of any country of Europe except the special military schools. Such training is confined everywhere to the period of active service, and no attempt has ever been made to impose upon the school the task of producing fully trained soldiers. In many countries having universal military service the public schools provide for training boys in such elements of military science as may be conveniently combined with their physical training and at the same time prepare them for the active service awaiting every young man. The attitude of foreign educators in the matter is well defined. They do not, as a rule, regard the military instruction as a successful substitute for the well-established systems of physical training and character building. They generally view it as an anomaly in the school system, justified only by the exigencies of national defense. The enthusiastic support they lend this work comes more from patriotic than from pedagogic motives. Occasionally, however, the beneficial effects of military training upon the moral and physical sides of boys' education are emphasized. Very marked results of this nature have been observed in Australia, which should have more than passing attention. In France, where military training is a component part of the prescribed program of public primary schools, it is not approved by leading educators as a method of physical training, but it is recognized and commended as preparatory training for military service, intended to raise the efficiency of the French Army. The programs of public schools of France include gymnastics and moral instruction, the former as a means of building up the physique of the boys and the latter of developing their character; it is generally recognized that these two objects of education can not be perfectly attained by any system of military training. |