New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-31

IN New-fork sunday paper. He showed in
definite official figures the extraordinary loss Of
officers alone killed in action at Battery Wag-
ner. Antietam. Gettysburg. Shiloh and Franklin.
No such record is found elsewhere in the annals
OF all history
OBSTINATE DETERMINATION SHOWN.
In this tremendous clash OF arms. a very
harvest OF death. the American officer and SOL
der. whether of the North or South. obstinate
ly prosecuted his work OF destruction. until
finally the weaker combatant lay bleeding and
conquered at the feet of its more powerful and
Iesourcefu adversary. United the soldiers who
fought that war could have w1thstood the whole
world in arms. Thus their characteristics in
action are fully Illustrated. There was abun-
dant reason for the almost unanimous National
opinion that the Spanish War would result in
immediate and sweeping American success.
Their smashing victories In all quarters quickly
and fully justified the publics faith IN its SOL
diers and sailors What is now going in
the Philippines is further confirmation Of that
undoubting confidence
In the exhaustive trial Of strength between
themselves, in Indian campaigns. in the Mexi
can War, in the two collisions with England. in
the swift and brilliant operations against Spain.
American soldiers have never failed 10 show
their mettle. In the field. wherever he may be,
half-fed and poorly equipped by incompetent
negigents in the rear, the American officer and
soldier yet wins universal approval and admra-
ton. The public press glorifes his deeds the
people idolize him. He is paid on a more lib
eral scale than the European soldier. and when
his active career is ended the United States
cares for him until death intervenes TO close
the account Even then the relation does not
cease; the Government. II necessary, takes care
Of his widow and orphans. provides his remains
u hon -,
~ marks. preserves and guards his grave.
VALUE OF DIR. ALIENS UTTERANCE.
But the Army the grand soldiers OF Gettys-
burg, and their successors OF Santiago and Ma
Mia, must not be COMPOUNDED with the staff De-
partment. the bureaucrats Of the Washington
Offices. That the public knows where to draw
the line is obvious from this speech OF DR..
Charles Allen before public meeting Of busi-
ness men to devise ways and means properly TO
honor one OF the real heroes Of the Spanish
on his first homecoming. Those impulsive ut
terances. Incorporate as they were are never
theless valuable. because they were unguarded
expressions direct from the people, wholly indie
pendent of political official influences. 1t
a straw which should be needed.
Recently there has been a concerted revival Of
an earlier but futile effort to divert attention
from the maladministration Of the War Depart
ment by exaggerated hosannas Of victory by Sc
ductivey emphasizing in all possible forms the
rapid and brilliant success Of the Army and
Navy in the field and on the ocean. It was in
deed. "a phenomenal war" but II was a soldiers
victory, not the staffs. And the country, quick
10 applaud their herolsm abroad. cannot forget
the sufferings OF It's brave soldiery from the in
competence and carelessness Of the pampered
bureau administrators at home The splendid
achievements Of the real American soldier at
the front do not atone in the public estimate for
the gross ineficiency. 10 call 1t nothing worse, Of
the bureaucratic pretenders in the rear.
HOW THE STAFF SHIELDS ITSELF.
The Armv's wonderful success was won in
spite Of It's heavy staff handicap. It's most
potent enemy was not the Spaniard OF Cuba or
the Philippines Mere rhodomontade about the
alleged attack upon the Army" whenever the
War Department and its bureau chiefs are crti-
cised. VIII not appease public opinion nor befog
the Issue 1t is a trick Of the staff 10 shield
itself behind the heroes Of Santiago and Luzon.
II deceiyes nobody. The origin and purpose Of
the effort to throw a sheltering fold Of the
Arny's glorious mantle around the covering
/ degenerates OF the War Department fully
understood. 1t meets with no encouragement in
/ the desired quarters. The cowardly attempt Of
some Of the bureaus to shift upon the innocent
volunteer officer responsibility for staff short
comings in field and camp has been so covertly
set on foot as 10 escape general attention, but
/ where noticed II meets with deserved reproba
ton.
The country is at last disillusioned. II now
/ knows that the staff in Washington is not the
United States Army in the field. II is gen
! orally perceived that as now constituted and
partment is no longer Of the Army. 1t is diff
! ferent from the Army. 1t is a machine inde-
pendent and apart from the Army. It holds
Itself above the real Army. The gulf between
/ them is constantly widening The Army has
| long perceived that it is in the hands Of a
moribund system. All leading Army officers
have vigorously called for a COMPETE reorgan-
/ ization Of the staff. 1t should be brought back
| they say into touch and harmony with the
! Army Merit should receive a more conspicuous
/ part in its future operations.
While the Army, unprepared for war. more
| than fulfilled public observation-disclosures It's
own sterling qualities" to repeat Colonel Sir
| George Clarke's words-the staff department,
TO the surprise of all, conspicuousy failed in
its part. Where the country thought II was
strong Just there was 1t weakest. Equal in
numbers to some and far ahead OF most Euro
| pean establishments IN the main item of finan-
cial equipment, the staff department was pre-
sumed 10 be ready for any emergency by years
! Of experience experiment and preparation DR..
Aliens eruption indicates that 1t stands con-
demned before the American people.
NO REMEDY APPARENT.
Still Or Allen is too harsh. II IL doubtful II
even the unspeakable Eagan. pilloried by the
Beef Court for his Colossal errors" deserved
the extreme punishment OF being shot TO
death" although It is probable. from the evil
dence Of some Of the survivors. that his canned
boiled beef was the indirect means Of many
a...A. Allan mara nearlr reflects nuhllc