New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-09
CHANGES IN ARMY DIVISIONS.

xovr YET Authorized By SECRETARY ELklNS
-DEsIRABIIITY OF A NEW ARRANGEMENTS
Washington Aug (SpeclaD.-The Tribune 'o'',
spondcnt is authorized by officials at the war Dop'''
mcnt TO state that the reported change IN thc "''''
and limits ~ the several geographical departments vi
the Army has in no sense been agreed npo tue "''e
not having yet been formally considered by ooNNiy
Elkns Both Secretary Elkns ana MaIor-'e"
schofeld the only officials who are In position "
sneak authorltatlvey on the subject are out Oh IOWA.
and il f. wholly unreasonable to suppose tllat ''''
OF 81 much military importance as the change Oh INC "
partmcnts Of the Army would be even cohsdereu ''o"
less directed, in their absence. IL may nave w"
reasoned that because General carr VINO WIS r'''
promoted to ill the vacancy In the grade OF bngani'
general had requested 10 be assigned to the COM
mand OF the Department OF the Columbia OWING oo'
less 10 a sense Of delcacy his part on being p"'cu
I'm authority over Colonel Carln. who was tue s"o'"
prominent candidate I'm the contest Tor the pr'"o'o'
that "A Encouragement OF this geographical drPr'hie""
would necessarily follow But this Is simply spr'"i'
ton. The present subdivision Of the country III"
eight great geographical military departments com
manded by two major generals and six bris'di'rge"
erals was ordered by Mr. Proctor when he was ~oc'o
tary Of War This system has not met with favor I'D
Army circles the former system. comprising d'VIso'S
commanded by major genenls ana departments co''i'
manded by bgadlcr generals, being preferred for bot
military and practical reasons. and there Is little DOUBT
In tho mind, OF Army officers tllht NJ no ulshn' MY
an order directing further change I'm the departments
will be found advisable, and BE- issued
There II IL variety OF opinion In Army circles AS
To what rparran OF territory and command Is
best for military and strageica PURPOSES but Officers
generally seem to agree that the present pro'Hlor
whereby the Pacific Coast has three general officers
Texas one. Dakota one. the Platte ono, the Missouri
one and the East one l. judlcous. 1t Is thought
that II military condition under which major gen
ernl is placed upon the footing as briS>idicr
general, commanding greater number Of men and
having no greater authority or responsibility, h
anomalous, II not Injurious, In effect
P-rhap, the system most favored by officers Of the
Army Is tho following: TWO divisions To be called TN,
East and West and commanded by major generals
SIX departments, 10 b. prOporly distributed among
the great lakes. the northern and northw,- tern
boundaries Of Canada the Iaciic Coast, on the
Mexican frontier ON The Cult Of Mexico and In the
interior about the centre Of the country. Genrrnl
schoneld has always earnestly favored the main
tenance OF divisions TO be commanded Is major
generals, and he has frequently urged that such a
military system would b. necessary In time OF wpr
According To the present arran g,'ment several junior
brgadicr- generals command more territory aud men
than IA major general. When Secretary Proctor n,
arranged the geographical distribution OF the mill
tary command General Schoncd argued against the
made I'm time OF peace that would not be- Capnbl"
OF a proper and efficient development In lime Of wur ,
and The predictions concerning tho weakness or thu
change sscm to have been borne out hlly by cx
perience. secretary ElkIns has proved himself Ia
lie Ofical who disrrgnrs prrcrdents customs
when they are known 10 De doubtful or inehclit
for practical purpose, and II Is safe 10 leave this
important military question 10 his good judgment
tur settlement.