The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-23
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
Says Everything Was tdinirnbi.
Managed During Spanish War.

Says E>crythins Was Admirnhiy
Managed During Spanish War.
New York. erember ga special to the
Tribune from Washington says Secretary
Root has made public the last aud most
important of the reports OF stan officers 10
bin, that OF the Inspector general. VINO
discusses the needs OF the service with
Characteristic candcr From the chapter
treating OF the transition of the regular
establishments from peace TO war the fol-
lowing extracts are taken;
The battles of San Juan and I'll Caney
opened the fiscal year, and the honols
universally accorded to the lighting force
have proved the efficiency OF methods em-
ployed for the military training ana dscip-
line of the companies, and have demon
strated the adaptiblity Of the Americans
to every requirement of military l.e.
The last year suddenly brought new and
unmeasured responsibilities. special eN-
penditures, extensive outfits and enforced
familiarity with unwonted experiences in
far distant helds OF service within CIV ASH
attic and tropical environments. 1t has
now become all historical record how the
eXigenctes OF organization, mobilization
campaign. battle and military government
have been met by men who were hurried
from the plains to the tropics and to the
other side of the world. In the brroadest
view, the military resources have bean
almost phenominally successful almost
revolutionary to the National policy and
career. and perhaps not lass exacting and
instructive on land than the supremely
glorious achievements of the navy.
Some day careful and dispassionate
study of every detail should--and probably
will be-made OF all that relates to the
soldier and his trade, in this Spanish
war by the men who were actually on the
fire line and in the forefront OF ba;tle, and
then II would be clearly known how the
current OF events and the methods OF
movement and care and supply appeared
TO those who most poinredly and not I'M
intelligently. felt the effects of either the
excellence or remisses displayed
In the meantime and without any com
parison with others who have played their
parts so admirably. II should be recog-
nized how largely the burden Of hcld
work fell upon the regular company Off
GERS who not only had the duties OF their
grade to perform but were assigned by
the score TO every type OF duty both OF
the line and staff. and civil duties; while
this supply sub organizations were suisse
uuently swamped with unframed recruits
and indeed filled with them again and
again until it seemed miraculous hough
the recruits were particularly admirable
that the characteristics of distinguished
organizations could be so long retained
despite such circumstances. How differ
ent this is from calling TO the co!ors. as
other civilized nations do. reserves trained
for war in the very organizations they re-
join, all perfectly equipped at the outbreak
of hostilites, is evident to eyery thinking
MIND. Before this war regimentaI or
CARNATIONS were comparatively little
known In military administration. This
radical change from the habitual 10 the
legal unit OF supply upon the outbreak OF
hostilities rs noticeable feature. deserv-
ing attentive consideration, and may h9
fundamental to our bureaucratic system
and overburdened force. Even the COM
panies may feel its effects. But the regt-
ment is universally recognized as the unit
of administration for war and everything
should be done to insure efficient aud
experienced reglmental commanders and
STAFF and confirm them in their legiti-
mate duties and accustom the men TO
their methods and personal equation o6-
pecially in the first swift stages of war;
though the calls for officers are 80 great
elsewhere that the percentage must BE-
quite small of regular regiments whiGh
went ~ the assault on the FIRST day OF
the last fiscal year under their own colo
nels. This is one Of the many fruits OF
organization without an organized and pre-
scribed system of reserves and mobiliza-
ton. Ii our army practiced the art or
mobilization annually, every feature ana
requirement would be thoroughly pre-
scrbed and organized and be as familiar
a characteristic of military training with
us as with our foreign countries and as
perfecly and easily done as company drili
The only thing that prevented this funda-
mental preliminary practice In times or
peace was lack OF money. IL depends
wholly upon the appropriation bill. With
In the decade all that could be done sim
ply at the posts has been carefully and
insructiyely carried out,
Our wars have been habitually fought
by volunteers and the Spanish war was
not an exception 10 this rule. though the
percentage OF regulars among the first
TO reach the front during this last strug-
gle was perhaps as great or greater than
in any OF our previous wars
The mobilization OF so large force
which by the close of May numbered near
ly 10000 men, and received an Increase
of over 1901 more during the next three
montbs--was no unimportant task even
though under the well practised mobiliza-
tions OF Europe they can turn out millions
of men perfectly equipped In the same
length eof time without any undue sacri-
fec or discomfort; and its successful cul-
mipation under adverse conditions seems
no less marvellous than our glorious
achievements on land and water. which
oyershadowed all other events.
From executive action To the final mus
ter out every step was comparatively new
TO the participants and an experiment.