New-York tribune., 1900-03-17

90 90 measure and correctly appreciate their military
pr S these foreign services in OF war; to gain
eeie OF their strong places and OF the
ing ing on hostites the relation of their force and
force in its probable of action: fnailv a
"a ie.9i @ comparison of our own strength with that
Based upon the above examinations plans are
@ ae Tor the various warke contingencies likely to
occur These plans are based primarily upon strate-
sc anu tactical principles and later with
a detail that grows minute as Information
increases and deliberations mature These plans
onr regular force OF battleships and auxiliaries
VIII VIII gradually include naval militia and reserves,
unprotected by the Army. the provision of addi-
quent consultations with the Army chiefs they
VIII provide for that exact corporation Of the
army ana Navy important success. Il will
often occur that the Secretary OF the Navy when
changes expedient in the peace policy and establish
ment as natural deductions from the war prepara-
cidentaI purposes of peace When this prncine is
acted upon the Navy will become both economical
The above making of plans is the first element Of
gogz1 s5 work @ % @nd H Is general & though ugh yagme
cement though rarely recognized In forInal man
ner Is by tar the more important of the TWO. 1t
planmaking. and their consequent readiness to con-
front wariike situations in general II does not
equal the school of actual but is only second
to il, and there is no third method: This trained
readiness of officers minds in the Franco-Prussian
war or 1870 constituted the essential value of the
sget t stan IN worh d0ne pE the & SJerina1s 1 curing
were the plans Of work perfected in all minutiae
near oattlefelds on schedule time bringing guns
when beng so admire a. eay 70 fie stan its ren,
tation among nonprofessional people and 1t in
fact. a most valuable aid in the battle and cam
paign: but far greater, factor of efficiency
the state of mind OF German ofticersfrom generals
tions acquired in the staff work of peace which
campaign with ready energy and composure of mind
Sucn the are the purposes OF a generii stan
Stirctively that this, or something like this; was
apparent in the creation. many years ago. of a
gace c n f a Navv Deparen ae n In % es I tWo in
sttutons are TO be found many OF the elements OF
together by a common head-such as the As
sistant secretary or he chief of Naygationmf9
form body of great usefulness to the Navy and
one care ana precaution on the part of the NAVY.
namely, that Of selecting always for that duty Off
handling of ships and command of men. and for
frequent of active service aoat. alternating
with the general staff work ashore, may prevent
esneciaIIv for a 1rofession Of arms ''''-e' anu
In the development of the Intelligence Office and
War College the Navy has been unconsciously
forming the elements Of general staff, until now
the time has arrived when. much Of the work hay
ing heen none the Navy can decide whether IT
concert of action for them, by adding to them
signing the whole TO the charge of some official.
Bureau of Navigation. who. by the nature of his
present duties is already prepared for their super
intendence-
The representative form OF our Government causes
tendency in the executive branch TO lean some
what upon congress and 10 ask ITS action before
any DECIDED movement or change Is undertaken IN
any OF the departments. This tendency, proper in
all representative governments up TO certain
point has times been carried far. and
projects still crude and requiring of trial and
examination by the Executive have been placed be-
fore Congress with requests for legislation which
have resulted in measures not always satisfactory
in their operation 10 the very persons who have
asked for them.
This evil is not a necessary one The scope Of
Executive power is quite sufficient to permit such
vince of their efficacy before submitting them
10 congress IN the case or long estabIshed mill
creating Of a general staff should be a gradual
partment and continued until. when satisfied with
the result. the Department asks Congress to pass
the continuance of a condition of tlings already in
Up to the point where money is needed and the
legislative function is thus encountered, there
seems 10 be no reason why the Navy department
on when some wears of trial change and modiica-
sanction Of Congress ne asked and such moneys
appropriated as may then be needed for its main
It appears from the annual report of the secre-
tary of War 1893 that he has in view general
staff for the Army, under the name and form of
a war college and. the ideas embodied in jhat re-
port being SOUND ana practlcaI: there seems no
question that. with certain notifications. they VIII
gradually establish themselves as the foundation
Of a military structure worthy OF the learning ana
gallantry OF the Army officers. The movement will
structed continually by these tendencies TO stagna
ton which lie hidden under the guise or military
traditions
From the naval point Of this project OF the
Army's is excellent i more definite embodi-
seems TO rs desrabIe and it is very expedient TO
insure the students the War College being prin
the schools Of application at Monroe Leavenworth.
Riley and Willets Point TO engage the attention OF
the more junior grades. Experience will doubtless
instruct the Army officers TO make any such
changes may prove desirable