The evening times., 1900-05-05
sATURDAY. MAY 5. l9oO.
Army Reorganization.

Army REORGANIZATION
The Army Reorganization bill as passed
by the Senate yesterday leaves great deal
10 be desired. but. in some OF its features,
il is in the line OF Improvement The in
crease of The artillery arrs is inadequate,
but il viii help little At present our
costly coast defences are suffering for lack
of mel to man the guns and care for the
delicate machinery connected with them.
The charges which the measure provides
for in the Army stan organization are
eommsndable in some respects ard far
short OF what they ought to be in others.
The system of detail from the line to the
STAFF and back again is correct in theory,
rs it gives a large number Of officers prae-
tical training in more than oae branch Of
his profession. II would be stiH better to
adopt the German plan OF details from one
arm to all the others in succession. under
merit system devised to afford progress
sive and able officers practical experience
in all branches. 1t is in this way that Ger
many makes her generals by a process Of
careful selection
As far as we have examined the details
OF the bill. it appears to be viciousIy in
the direction OF political control over the
general stan. The Secretary Of War is
given absolute power over ell the stan
departments. This is objectionable. The
military authority should be in the hands
OF the General Commanding the Army
There would be nothing improper in the
full control OF appropriations. or the close
supervision of expenditures by a civilian
Cabinet Minister; Sut the professional
business Of the Army. staff as well as line
ought to be conducted through the gen
cral headquarters. But this bill strongly
suggests that hereafter the Secretary OF
War is 20 be the actual general-in- chief
One OF the staT departments. that Of The
AdJEtant General. which should be directly
responsible TO the General Commanding
and unknown to the Secretary except
through him. is to be accorded head
with the rank of Major General This sug-
gests an idea that the scheme is to run
the Army with this official as chief of he
general stan. 10 the exclusion Of the Cen
ersl Commanding. who on every military
consideration ought to hold that place in
the system.
The provision 10 give the Adjutant Gen
eral rank above his colleagues OF the other
stan Offices is open TO criticism on the
ground of unfairness to the latter. On the
other hand 10 fault can be found with the
proposition to make the Commanding Gen
eral Lieutenant General As a matter OF
fact ne ought TO be a full general and tbs
Army should have two or more lieutenant
generals, besides a proper quota Of major
generals. The grade Of brigadier might
wei be discontinued or made provisional
as in ether modern services
There are other things in the bill more
or less acceptable. It increases the cadet
corps al West Peint by one hundred-not
third enough. II abolishes the position
Of post chaplain, and provides for chap
lain for each regiment This is a desira-
bic reform if honestly and equtably ap-
piled. Al present cbaplaius are appointed
through political influence or fayorIris-n.
Tn certain way the Administration of the
day attempts to divide the places at dis
posal among the various Christian sects in
way 10 plaeate all Of them as far as pos
sible As a matter OF justice ehapIaina
should be appointed without regard TO any
thing but the spiritual needs Of the men
Il would be oppressive TO assign a Catholic
chaplain tc a regiment Of Kansas Method
lists and Baptists- Ii woald be equally so
10 compel 4 regiment in which a majority
were Catholics TO accept the religious min
istrations Of Presbyterian chaplain To
SUM the matter up, the bill is not what
We would have it. but many OF the changes
made are desirable.