New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-02

munication with reference 10 these plans, 80
that all expenditures for each separate step Vi
development may contribute toward the prac-
teal realization of a comprehensive anu ruS. 10,
ent scheme. This requirement is NOT 10 oe inIe
by the separate study and reflection OF sihsie
officers not charged with the duty or apie ~
give effect 10 their conclusions Inc Ieopona1Is
bity OF declared duty. the comparison Vi III
ferent views, the contribution OF ulneieht iI'i' ~
the correction and evolution OF discussion tne
long continued. laborious, and Systematic hpPn
cation OF a considerable number OF minus VI q
high order and with a recognized status GYMS
authority 10 their conclusions, are heeueu "
produce the desired result ,, -. a~
second-The preparation OF material OF war wa,
keeping pace with the progress or mi!lta,! 81
ence and adapted to the conditions TO be an
ticipated when war shall arise ,oo.,o oc
Third-An adequate process OF seIecllon a.
cording To merit and effectiveness among the
oe1cers of the Army so that the men or superior
ability and power may be known ano p iaceu III
positions involving responsibility ana au,io "a
Fourth-The exercise and training OF the Oh, .
GERS and men Of the Army in the movements oi
large bodies OF troops by brigade. DIVISION anu
corps under conditions Approaching as nea sinSg
as possible those TO be anticipated IN eNeeu'iiis
the nlans devised for their action in war
AN ARMY WAR COLLEGE.
I think the following steps may be taken TO
advantage:
Tirst-That an army war college shouio pe
established which shall be composed OF the
heads OF the staff departments. properly so
called. and a number OF the abest ana most
corauetent officers OF high rank In the ARMY
Gncluding OF course, the major general cum
,nandine( these officers TO be detailed for ser
vice in the college for limited periods so that
while the college shall be continuous IN recoIus,
character and performance ~ snan ior,ents
and gradually change in its personal eielhet =.
II should be the duty Of this body OF 0Icers , 20
direct the instruction and intellectual eA siso
of the Army, TO acquire the lnlormatiVIl, az
The mans and study the subjects ABOVE nun
Gated and 20 advise the commander III Cn'e'
upon all questions Of plans. armament ua .H
portation mobilization and military prepaia 'er
and movement. This college shouid nave III. 40.
bined with IL, reinforced ana enlarged IN 'o 70
scope and effectiveness. the present DIVISION oL
military information OF the adJutahl se ,t
ofice where its records and its conclusions
should be preserved. ,-,o,,,
Secondhand every officer Of the Army below
enc rank of a field officer, and not already d
sreduate Of one OF the service schools, should
be detailed for some fixed period during ms SCI
vice to receive instruction at thlS CoIieee III o
science OF war. including the duties OF 'iie san
and in all matters pertaining 10 the Application
of military science to National defence' that
provision should be made for the continuance
Of such instruction by correspondence aiter me
expiration of the period Of each ofncers uelai,
and that all officers should be invited ana en-
titled present. by written papers anu Iepoi 9 40,
as a part OF the regular course ana ioI Ct ,t
,nop their efficiency records. the results OF tnelr
Investigations. explorations, reflections ana pro.
fessional and scientific work ana upon SUI S
special subjects as may be prescribed u! 'He
college.
STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
Tbjrd-That all staff appointments should
hereafter be made from the line OF the Army
FOR a fixed period of, say. four or hVe years the
holder TO return to the line al the emu oI one
period and not TO be eligible 10 reappontment
until after at least years service in the lne'
and that after the expiration or a reasondpie
period the selection Of staff appointments shoulu
he made on the basis of proficiency and fitness,
as shown in the War College Cor heretofore IN
the service schools). including as elements Tor
consideration both the work done during the
of. dafa oil nd nOStgraduatP
cepting however that such appointments
should also be permitted for gallant ana merl-
torious conduct In the field SHOWN by recoln
mendations Of commanding ofhcers TOT DreFet
promotion made during the progress or war,
and excepting that for the technical and scien,
tihc branches OF Engineering. ordnance ana
gignal Service examinations should be con
tinued; that all promotions in the stan ltselI
be upon the basis prescribed for original APP
pointment combined with efficiency Of service
in the staff.
Fourth-That the present system Of promotion
by seniority should be modified as to all onicers
now or hereafter below field rank by making
a specific proportion Of the promotions TO each
grade for seniority. and spGifc proportion on
the basis either Of efficiency records in the war
college. heretofore in the service schoo!s' IN
GLIDING both elements. OF work done curing
actual attendance and subsequent thereto, or
for gallantry in the field during war or Doth'
accompanied in each case by evidence or talth-
full performance of the ordinary duties OF the
line. .,,, 60
staff appointments and for staff promotions ana
for line promotions. other than those maze LOT
seniority should be made by boards Of officers
appointed for that purpose upon an eXaihlhd-
tion and estimate OF the efficiency records ex-
hibiting the grounds for appointment or pro-
motion above stated. Nothing can be more I'm,
portant than that the officers OF the Army SHAH
feel that their rise in rank depends upon What
they do that ability, intellectual actlVlty lath-
full performance of duty. and gallant conduct
are more certain claims TO preferment than
social or political influence. a system or pro
motions which is divorced from the efnclency
record is not merely unjust. but 1t destroys am
bition and checks the effort or the Army Inc
way to prevent the separation is by syste-
matte provision TO enable every officer TO snow
what there is in him. and to preserve a full
record Of what he does, by providing compe-
tent and disinterested body to pass Judgment on
the record, and by law making the judgment
thus reached on this basis the imperative ana
sole ground of selection for promotion.
These provisions will go far toward accom-
plishing results which are provided for In the
organization Of every considerable army in the
world. and which under our organization are
not the business Of anybody in particular ana
for the most part cannot he accomplished by
any one whomsoever: and IL Congress will then
make the appropriations necessary for periodical
mobilization and manpuvres the four requisites
Of preparation Of war above stated can be SUD-
stantialy attained.
A CHIEF OF ARTILLERY.
There are two special changes which, I am
clear. the principles require. One is that
the artillery branch of the service should have
head. This officer should be a member Of the
War College. and might we'll be on the staff Of
the major general commanding He should not
be the head of an additional bureau
The other change referred TO is the increase of
the number of inspectors general, so that the en-
tire work of the Army may be adequately in
spected
Following these lines and working through the
methods which have described, a permanent
plan ought TO be wrought out with the concur
renee Of the military authorities Of the several
States and enacted by Congress for the creation
OF war army composed of both Regulars and
H. The right kind Of flesh means