MILITARY MASS MEETING TO OPEN PROGRAM OF UNIVERSITY BATTALION

The Student Council Committee on Military Affairs in a statement regarding the plans of the University Regiment outlines the year's program which will have its start on Friday, December 17, when President Lowell will address a mass meeting in the Union. Besides the usual drill and rifle practice, members of the Regiment are expected to take two courses, one a correspondence course given by the War Department, and the other a half-course on military science, which will be offered by the University the second half-year. The complete statement follows:

"The Student Council Committee on Military Affairs has exhaustively taken up the question of the most advantageous method of conducting the Harvard Regiment. After consulting President Lowell, General Wood and several other authorities, the Committee has decided that in the short time between now and June it will be impossible to complete the training for officers. Therefore the proposed plan has been designed to teach as much as possible, but primarily to arouse interest in military affairs, and to teach each individual how much there is to learn and how little he knows. It is hoped that the proposed scheme will create great interest in Plattsburg. In fact, the whole plan may be considered as a part of the general Plattsburg movement.

Plans for Battalion Outlined.

"The details of the plan have not been entirely determined upon as yet, but the general scheme, as it now stands, is as follows:

"1. The work will begin with two hours of drill a week by companies. In the winter the work will be concentrated on close order drill in either the Hemenway Gymnasium or the Baseball Cage. As soon as the weather improves, the drill will be cut down and will be held outdoors. Open formation and minor tactics will then be emphasized. The hours of drill will in all probability be from 4 to 6 and from 7 to 9 o'clock; members of the Regiment, therefore, will have ample opportunity to choose their hours of drill, and the days which they prefer. The drill will be in charge of a regular army officer.

"2. Rifle practice will be arranged, either with sub-calibre rifles somewhere in Cambridge or with Springfields at some militia rifle range in the vicinity. A sufficient number of rifles have been assured.

"3. Every member of the Regiment is expected to become a member of the Correspondence Course conducted by the Army for Plattsburg men. This consists of monthly problems in map work, and tactics. Answers are sent to the War Department, are there corrected and the solution with the most prevalent mistakes are sent with the next problem.

"4. Everybody is urged to attend the University Course on military science which will begin the second half-year. The hours will probably be arranged so that no conflicts with any other college work will occur. Lectures in this course will be given by General Wood, Captain Dorey, Captain Johnston and other specialists from the army. Tactical walks will be taken in connection with the course. This course will count toward a degree only for those who have attended one of the military camps or have had equivalent training in the militia.

"5. Lectures on our military history, our present army organization and other special topics will be announced from time to time.

"6. Uniforms will not be required, but it is strongly urged that everyone provide himself with the army field uniform. A contract for these will be arranged by the committee at a later date.

"There will be a mass meeting in the Union on Friday, December 17, at which President Lowell and several others will speak. At this time blanks will be given out for all to sign expressing their preference for drill hours, etc.