New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-16
AN ARMY BUREAU OF INFORMATION.
SECRETARY ELKINS ESTABLISHES A VALUABLE
BRANCH OF MILITARY SERVICE

/
BRANCH OF MILITARY SERVICE
Washington March u Spccial-Secrctaiy Elkns
issued an order to-day which is expected to have a
marked effect in extending the scope and improving
the efficiency Of most important branch Of military
service The order creates for the War Department
Bureau of Information such the Navy Department
has long found Of the greatest usefulness and profit
Largely by means OF such Bureau the Naval service
in this country has been kept constantly abreast Of
all improvements and advances abroad both in the
Of ordnance and construction and In methods OF ad
mniStraon. The new Army Bureau Of Information
IS intended TO do the work for the Army In much
the way. 1t will gather all Information from all
possible about Improvements in m Iary equip
ment and methods and will keep all branches Of the
Army acquainted with what Is being done IN the
| services abroad
TIE Bureau OF Information will also be put to the
novel and most serviceable and appropriate purpose OF
connecting link between the regular Army ana the
volunteer and militia forces. The jealousy and frlc-
ton existing between the regular and volunteer arms
provcrbia Secretary Elkins hopes. by charc
ing the Bureau with the entire direction and CON
troll OF intercourse with the mlis establishment TO
remove most of the existing causes and opportunities
OF conflict between the two services The head of the
Bureau Is to attend TO all business connected with the
State and Territorial militia and TO have charge OF tie
distribution militia organizations of and equip
mcntS. An important staff function will also be as
sGlel 10 lnc bureau IN the preparation OF LjpOSTdpl-
zeal maps Of the country for military and the
preparation of plans of all sorts for mobilization Of
troops both regulars and militia at points near
tie frontiers OF the United States. An Army museum
too is be established and placed under The OF
the Bureau.
striking and varied. indeed. will be the func-
tons Of the Bureau of Information that its value
the service, when efficiently administered. will
be practically unlimited Secretary Elkns feels that
it will put additional vitality into all branches Of
the Army and will work "a notable an improvement
In his Department has been justly claimed in
the naval service for the Naval Bureau Of Infor-
nation Today's order is taken I'm Army circles
to show that Mr.. Elkins has already put his prac-
teal ability and sagadty a. "a man Of affairs to
work on the problems of Army administration and
that the reforms Of his predecessor Mr. Proctor are
now TO be followed by Others sin more general In
character and beneficial in effects.
The order in full Is Is follows:
The Division OF Military Inforuato heretofore created
Office OF the NJuant General OF the Army Is hereby
reofGanzcd D. follows:
FiIst-The Division will be placed in charge OF officer
o. the Adutant-o'eneNls department be selected by the
Sc rotary OF War.
econd-In addition to It's other division viii
charged with:
AJ-The collection and classification Of mill
tary information Of our own and foreign countries,
specially respect 10 armed reserved and avaablc
strength natural end artificial means Of communication
rivers canals highways and railroads the mGuDctur1
d arms ammunition and other mat rial supplies Of
food. horses. draft animals. etc, etc
fB-Ihe prcls ration Of instructions for the guidance
Of officers Of the Army serving travelling abroad
acting a. military and the arrangement aud digest
II information contained in thsr reports
(Ci-'rhc issuance The Army OF military maps mono
graphs books papers and other publications and the d.
,ennaon valuable information on military subjects
throughout all branches u the service
(Dj-Cofrespondence with state authorities and militia
officers Oh questions affecting the lation and arma
ment Of the militia Of States and Territories and
Of the District OF Columbia and the reference u proper
authority questions for decision relating 10 tactical IN
,truc1ion. discipline and equipment.
(E-Tho preparation Of instructions Ia the officers de-
tsil,d by the Secretary Of several
csmpnents troops and witness the movements
exercises the militia well the dieestE a.
rsngenent and preservation OF all reports that b.
duly submitted by them.
(F)-The study and preparation Of plans for the mobi
transportation OF militia and volunteers, and
their dsbandnent ~ the military
forces United States the various sraRetic points
on or near the frontiers OF the country.
Third-The division Of military information VIII also
have charge Of DE- established for the proper
core and preservation military relies
In the several bureaus War Department,
hereafter be obtained
Fourh-The osccr In charge shall perform such other
duties naturally appertan to the division or NAV be
tsry OF War. > b. ELkINS, Secretary OF war.