The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-25
The War Omce.

While the public comments on the selec-
ton Of Secretary ALaER's successor have
been very complimentary both to the Presi-
dent and to Mr.. RooT, yet In some quarters
one doubt has been expressed. namely,
whether, with war going on in the Philip
pines, a man OF military experience would
not have been better choice at this time.
It seems to us that this very fact Of tho
Luzon campaign made the choice OF civil
ian the more desirable At such distance.
and with 80 many unfamiliar elements in
volved the military operations in the Phil
ippines must be controlled and directed on
the spot. 1t would be risking disaster to
have them managed from Washington; and
yet with a soldier in the War Office there
might be a temptation to do this, whereas
with civilian, especially civilian OF sound
judgment. there will be nome
There Is much to DO said In favor Of CT
william Secretaries Of War under all circum-
stances. A soldier has the advantage OF
his experience in the field and his knowl-
edge OF military details but as an Offset
he is more exposed to prejudices. He may
have precopceived notions as to methods OF
administration, may favor the staff more
than the line, or the reverse; may be in
clned to one arm OF the service moro than
another, or may even have personal grudges
to influence him. From these and similar
bases the civilian is more apt to be free,
and also, since he Is we'll aware OF his lack
OF technical knowledge, is apt to seek the
best advice from all professional quarters.
whereas a soldier in his place might think
he knew it all himself.
The work OF the War Department, too,
has very large proportion Of non-milltary
details. Peace is the normal condition OF
the country, war filling only small frac-
ton Of the years. but both in peace and war
large portion Of the departments bust
ness is concerned with construction and
engineering OF various sorts, as may be
readily shown, for example, by the ratio Of
its river and harbor work to its total an
nual expenditures. The supervision, too,
of raising, equipping. clothing, feeding and
quartering troops is largely IA matter Of
ordinary business, although technical
knowledge goes to the dctails The great
est energy and most tremendous working
power ever brought to the War Office were
those Of civilian, EDWIN NJ. STANTON. 1t
could also be urged that in the administra-
IlOn Oh inc var department 50 many leRal
questions come up that, year in and year
out, it is more important to have a good
lawyer and n good business man than n
trained soldier there.
Besides, under our system the War Depart
ment always has at it's command the pro-
fessional military knowledge and capacity
it requires. The headquarters OF the army
arc at Washington, and from that point the
| General commanding the army exercises
the functions belonging to him. relating to
the troops in the field or in garrison. Tho
Secretary of War also has, as virtual mcm-
bers OF his staff, the professional heads of
all the staff departments and corps, the
| Adjutant-General being practically his
chief OF staff. We think Mr.. ELIHU Roof
will be found to have better all-around
equipment for serving the country as Sec
rotary OF War than any soldier could de-
rive from his scholarship. Certainly there
can be no doubt OF the importance OF tho
legal questions arising out OF our military
occupation and government both Of the
Antilles and tho Philippines.