The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-16

one Of the most important steps ever
undertaken ia the history Of the Navy viii
be announced officially in a few days in an
order signed by Secretary Long, which is
being prepared for PRONUNCIATION. In ad-
ditiCn TO providing responsible duty for
Admiral Dewey. it creates a board OF Oh
GERS OF high rank, corresponding to the
general stan" OF European naval poNers.
The board will constitute a Permanent
strategic committee whose duties geaer-
ally viii be &c keep the Navy up to a high
standard OF efficiency in preparation for
war. 10 arrange plans for the defence in
time of war and 90 give advice TO tie
Government when hostilities are in pro-
gress as 10 methods Of strategy to be en-
plOyed by the Navy. The ord-r r.yides
that the general stan shall consist of six
cN oficio members ard three other men,
beers. all naval officers The ex o-ncio
members are 10 be the Admiral OF the
Navy. who viii be president. the Chief Of
the Bureau of Navigation. the Chef In
telligeuce Officer Of the Navy and Il pri
cipal assistant and the Pres dent Of the
Naval War College and his princiIa as
sistant
The officers thus provided for are Ad
miral Dewey, Rear Admiral A. 5. CROWN
shield Chief OF the Navigation Bureau;
Capt Charles d. Sigs5ee. Chief IntellI-
Eence officer: Lieut.. Commander George
II. Peters, principal assistant in the Naval
Intelligence Office; Capt. Charles H Stock
ton. President Of the Naval War College,
and Capt. Asa Walker, principal assistant
in the Naval War College.
The three other members are to be Of
ficeIs Of the grade OF commander or higher,
one OF whom will be Capt Henry c. Tay
Tor. commanding the receiving ship Yer
mont al the New York Navy Yard The
two others have not been selected, but
Secretary Long was thinking of taking one
OF them from the list of rear admirals.
Under the terms Of the order, the general
stan must meet in Washington once
month. and twice a year the sessions must
last for at least week. It will be kept fully
/ informed as to the state Of foreign naval
/ establishments the progress in naval mat
! ters abroad plans to be carried out in
! the event Of war with certain foreign ma
/ tions and all information that would be
| of value 10 the Government in a foreign
conflict In addition. the general staff is
| expected 10 advise the Secretary OF the
Navy in regard to matters pertaining to
cur own naval establishment but to what
extent has not been defined. II is not
TO suDerSede the Board on construction,
but some subjects considered by that board
will probably also be discussed and re-
| ported on by the general staff.
The order is the result OF several years
Of study by Captain Taylor" said Secrc-
/ tary Long last evening, land he will be A
member Of The board. He has been en-
/ gagged recently in this work at the Naval
War College. The board which will CORE
/ spoud to the general staff Of foreign nayies.
will BE kept in close touch with the Naval
War College. which prepares plans for war.
and the Naval Intelligence Office, which
| gathers information for the Navy. It is
! on that account that the President Of the
! War College and his assistants and the
| Chief Intelligence Officer and his assistant
! will be members. In time OF war IL will be
| a trategic board
Capt. Henry c. Taylor. the author of the
suggestions which have eliminated in the
organization Of the general stan. was Presi-
dent Of the War College for several years,
and during his term there brought that in
stitution up to a high state Of efficiency. In
the war with Spain he commanded the bat
tIeship Indiana and was in charge OF that
vessel in the fight with Cervera's squadron.