The record-union., 1899-12-02

proceeds to outline a scheme of reform
supported at each stage by succinct ar
gument to demonstrate its necessity.
He first lays down the necessity Of a
systematic study by responsible officers
of plans of action under all contingent
cies of possible conflict, and points out
the lamentable disadvantages we are
under in this respect as shown by our
past experience, more especially with
regard to the mobilization and encamp-
ment and training Of volunteer troops.
Next there should be ample preparation
of material Of war, keeping pace with
the progress of military science, and
avoiding the state Of unpreparedness in
which we were found at the outbreak
of the last war. This should be the
business of competent men. There
should be an adequate process of selec-
ton according to merit and effective
ness among the officers Of the army,
so that men of superior ability and
power may be placed in position Of re-
sponsibility and authority. Fourth,
there should be ample exercise and
training of the army in the movements
of large bodies approximating war con-
ditions.
It is recommended that an army war
college be established, including the
Major General commanding, and COM
posed of the heads of staff departments
and a number of the ablest high rank
ing officers in the army, and to this
college should be intrusted the execu-
ton of the plans laid out under the
above four heads. Every officer be-
low the field officers, not a graduate
of the service schools, should receive
instruction at this college. All staff
appointments should thereafter be made
from the line of the army for only a
fixed period, of say four or five years.
the older to return to the line at the
end Of that period, and these staff ap-
pointments should be made on the war
college records of efficiency and fitness,
making allowance for gallant conduct
in the field and excepting only the tech
nical branches of engineer, ordnance
and signal service.
The present system of promotion by
seniority should be modified as to off,
GERS below field rank, by dividing the
promotions between those based on
seniority and those based on efficiency
and gallantry. Staff appointments and
line promotions other than those for
seniority should be made by board Off
GERS based on efficiency and records.
There should be active cooperation
between the army and navy in the mat
ter of their respective war colleges to
provide for joint defense and action.
The artillery branch of the service
should have head, a member Of the
War College, and on the staff of the
Major General commanding, and the
inspection corps should be increased,
Turning to the volunteer element.
who must be relied upon to supplement
the regular army in case of war. the
Secretary lays stress on the Importance
of preserving the same forms of dis
cipline, using the same arms, and gem
orally insuring that the united body
shall be homogeneous when assembled.
The Secretary declares that the faith
full and efficient services of the West
Point graduates since the declaration
of war with Spain have more than re-
paid the cost Of the Military Academy
since it's foundation, and he asks for
a considerable increase in the capacity
of the institution and the number of
/ its graduates