The evening times., 1899-01-14
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
The Amazing Defects of the Hull
Biz.
(From Harper's Weekly.D

(FTom HarpeF's Neekly.)
The important facts. so far as the army IS coh-
cerned, that developed by the with
Spain were the splendid quality of the line Of
the regular army and the inefciency OF the staff.
We say nothing OF the volunteers, for nothing
was added by the to the knowledge II that
class of troops OF which intelligent military men
were not aware before the war broke out. The
officers and men Of the line were honor TO
Tie county, and added new gIories 10 the fag
under which they serve. with sterling loyalty
and courage and wgh great selfsacrihce, in peace
and war. OF all our public servants, the officers
and men Of the army ard navy are, body, the
most faithful and the most devoted Those who
love their country best stimulated to hope for
the greatness Of its future when they read OF the
splendid achievements of its soldiers and sailors
Il is 20 today; it has been 50 throughout our his
tory; and these citizens in uniform types Of
the plain American citizen who never serves the
country except when service sacrifice and
danger. We shall never tire. hope, OF sound
ing the praises OF our valiant regulars. for when
we do we shall have lost faith in American insti
tutions and in the worth Of American character.
Ii is strange that there should be need OF any
plea in behalf OF the line at this time. when is
achievements are 50 fresh in the public mrd. but
that the plea Is needed must be clear anyone
which has been reported to the House OF Repre-
sentatives by its Military Committee We shall
not discuss this measure in detail now, but
shall return 10 the subject again. We shall con
tent ourselves now with the statement that this
bill is for the promotion OF ineficiency for the
eslgeeration Of the v4y evils whose existence
was disclosed by the war-cvils from which the
officers and men OF the line are the chisi suffer
ers. 1t Is bill for the increase. bat nSt for the
reform, Of the staff. II makes places for voiuH-
tecrs. some Of whom are, indeed, worthy Of
recognition, but not one u whom should be ap-
pointed into the regular establishment at the
pense OF regular officers. IL makes places. al~-,
for the appointment OF civilians even into the
engineer corps. II enb5Gies a direct and vicious
attack upon the artillery arm and upon its in
struetcd officers. who have earned their c0mmis-
soIrs in that arm by good work cadet, 81 the
Academy IL is bill. indeed. in which fitness
and training are not considered AT ali, or made
quateIy considered, tor examination for the de
termination Cf mental efficiency not 20 te re-
duired even where efficiency Is most requisite. In
preparing this measure. 80 much were the voluu-
tecr and the civilian in mind that. the bill
originally stood there seemed be place for
regular officers in the STAFF corps, and no exemp-
tion as 10 the age limit that was expressly de-
vised for the benefit of volunteers Therefore an
amendment was submitted in effect putting reg
ular army officers on an equal footing with yolun-
| tcers and civilians,
Ii We are to have arm, increase, the line should
be the first considerations and il there are 20 be
! rewards and bonors scattered asut-and well
| there may bc-let them he Tor those who won the
battles in Cuba against the Spanilrd5 and despite
the staff