General Miles is not willing to see callers when he is busy with his
official duties. At other times, he is readily approached. He said to
me that he did not care to talk about matters pending in connection
with the army. I assured him at once that I had no intention of
questioning him in regard to the matters to which he alluded, but
would be glad to have his opinion about the chances of a young man in
the army, and the proper qualifications for one seeking to enter the
service.
[Illustration: YOUTH]
General Miles replied that he would not object to answering questions
on that point.
I asked the general if he thought an education necessary for a good
soldier.
“Certainly,” was the reply; “education is a good thing for a
soldier, and he ought to be educated in more than reading, writing
and arithmetic. He ought to have character, stability, energy and a
willingness to obey. These qualities are largely brought out by the
right kind of education. It can be set down as a rule, that a worthless
civilian would be a worthless soldier. There are exceptions to the
rule, of course, but the man who has the right kind of training to make
him a good citizen is the best man for the army.”