The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-22
Army Reorganization.

the South African war.
which can be seen by lay
men even at this distance, Is
the necessity Of having in an active
army plenty of officers who have had
an all-round training, so to speak,
officers who know how to handle cav
airy and artillery as we'll as infantry
and who can take hold with practical
grasp under any conditions. There Is,
of course, q certain quality of leader
ship which is not the product Of train
ing or experience but which Is inborn.
We do not refer to that. We refer
simply to the ordinary ability which
comes from a professional knowledge
of more than one wing Of the service
The rule "once in the infantry, always
in the infantry" or "once in the cav
airy. always in the cavalry" in other
wards, specialization carried to an un-
practical degree has been the bane OF
more armies than one; and England's
experience supplies a new example.
In the bill for our own <army's re-
organization which has been drafted
by Secretary Root and submitted to
congress as basis of action, this COM
mon defect is effectually remedied. The
personnel of the staff organization is
changed from permanent appointment
to temporary transfer of officers
from the line for a period not exceed
ing four years. The same change au-
thorizes the transfer of officers from
one branch of the service to another,
so that any army officers service will
include each branch of the line and
period in the staff in addition. The
purpose OF this change is to give army
officers as broad a military experience
as possible. 1t is intended by this
means to make an infantry officer
equally efficient in cavalry and staff
duties. Another important change ad-
vocated by Secretary Root Is the dis
continuance of the artillery arm of the
army as a regimental organization and
it's reorganization as an artillery corps
belonging to the line of the army. 1t
is to be organized in two branches. the
coast artillery and the field artillery.
The former is to be charged with the
care and use of the fixed and movable
elements of land and coast fortifica-
tions, including the submarine mino
and torpedo defcnces; and the field
artillery is to be that portion accom-
panying an army in the field and in
Guiding field and light artillery proper,
horse artillery, siege artillery. mour-
tain artillery and also machine gun
batteries. A considerable increase in
the artillery force Is provided for, not
by the enlistment of new men. but by
the transfer of men from other arms
Of the service.
In commenting on the bill a state
ment given out by the war department
says: "An additional feature of the
legislation asked for provides for one
third of the promotions to be made by
selection. This is to enable the presi-
dent to reward specially gallant and
meritorious services. This appeals alike
to the service and the country and yet
| maintains in a reasonable degree pro-
motions by seniority. 1t recognizes
both length as well as special fitness
| of service, and it's provisions are so
| guar;..d that only the most deserving
shsii receive special recognition and in
no case be the creatures Of personal or
| political intervention. The bill gives
the president control Of the tenure of
office of the heads of staff depart
ments, and he can, by and with the
advice and consent Of the senate, make
a new head Of department at any
time when in his judgment the effl-
cheney of the service would be in
creased thereby--the officer relieved
being transferred to the retired list
This places the army staff on about
the same footing as the heads of the
navy staff departments. The only i'm
mediate result, under this provision
would be the probable retirement of
General Eagan. commissary general
now undergoing suspension. In the
adjutant generals and inspector gen
erals departments there will be nc
further appointments, but by detail
from the next lower grade of the line
for a term of four years. Tnis will
give a large number of experienced
staff officers to meet future require
ments and the emergencies of active
service. These selections, too, are tC
be made on recommendation of boards
of officers appointed to ascertain the
records and fitness of officers for these
details. The quartermaster's and sub.
sistance departments. the ordinance
and signal corps, are also to be file.
in like manner. None of the provis
ions for details in any way interfer,
with the tenure of officers now in tn,
regular staff departments, or will
their promotions as now provided b,
law. They will, however, serve on,
year in five with such branch of tn,
line as the secretary of war may desig
nate. This insures all having exper
ience with troops of the line and keep
ing the line and staff of the army Il
close touch and sympathy"
How great the need is for such sym
pathy and mutual Understanding wa
illustrated very forcibly during tn
Santiago campaign. This matter i
perhaps the most important subjec
which can come before congress an,
the intelligence of the country ough
to make sure that it will receive ade
quate and favorable consideration.