The evening times., 1900-03-17
Mr.. LONGS new BOARD
The Innovation Excites Some CPi
icism in Naval Circles.
Some Express Fears OF 81 Clash " ith
rhc bureaus of the Department.
ALLEGED Decentralization Because
There Is No Provision for "a stan
Officer to Become Member'

The order ISSUED by Secretary Long ere
ating board of officers which shall have
general control Of affairs of the Navy De
partment in preparing for war and coast
defence. is exciting considerable discussion
in naval circles. Some naval officers say
they fear that the board will clash with
The bureaus of the department in decis-
ions relative to the construction OF YES
sells the armament, the motive power.
and other details, and that the confusion
that will follow will be detrimental to the
service.
The fact that there is no provision for
a staff officer becoming a member Of the
board is another objection urged against
the proposition. Line officers under the
order will be in fun control OF the board.
which is not TO the liking of the members
of the stan.
The nover which it is claimed is given
the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation is
another source Of criticism in some quar-
ters The order authorizes him TO indi-
cate TO the War College and the lntelh-
g"oce Office the information required frcm
them by the general board, and in the ab-
sence of Admiral Dewey he is to preside at
meetings of the board and exercise the
functions Of its president The conien-
tion is made that under this provision the
Chief of the Navigation Bureau has not
only the power TO determine what infor-
nation shall be furnished to the board and
to practically dictate the matters 10 be
considered. but. if the reported purpose
of Secretary Long to appoint a rear ad-
miral as one of the members is carried out,
the rule of precedence by seniority that
prevails in the Navy will be broken.
In the absence Of Admiral Dewey the rear
admiral, il is contended would be presided
over by a Junior officer, as the present
Chief of the Navigation Bureau. who,
while he has the rank of rear admiral by
virtue OF his present temporary commits
sion as head of a bureau. is only a cap
tain in the regular service.
On the other hand it is said II should
not be overlooked that the Board was ere
ated on the suggestions submitted by capt.
Henry {. Taylor. after several years Of
study OF the methods Of foreign navies in
preparing for war. Its six eX-ofticio mem
bers are the men TO whom preparations for
war are instrustcd by reason of their OH
cial positions in the Naval Sevice and who
would h., depended on in time OF war 10
furnish information ana advice pertaining
20 the conduct OF the American naval cam
paign.
The admiral would of course be the prir-
rinal advisor Ut the Seer, AIRY Of the Navy
during hCstilities. The Chief Of the Bureau
of Navigation receives all reports as 10
naval operations. the location Of hostile
sbIps ard issues all orders to naval OFF,
H4s.H- lsasII of
the Naval Intelligence Ofice which j. a
branch of mis- bureau. The other cN-ofhclo
members are the Pre- resideut OF Ge Naval
War College and his principal assistant
0ho prenare Theoretical plans fOT war, ana
.he Chef Intelligence officer and ais prin
ctosl assistant who gather reports as 10
fhp war preparations OF C.bar countries. Jne
condition IL foreign rayies. and all iHt2r-
rration taal would be valuable 10 no.
T-ii.l States in cI rating against an enc
lly.
The Chief OF tho Bureau or NaE.ga ."A D.
ihe uriHcilal ,Nec1'iye officer Of fh, Navy
Department aud a. suoh. ii is sa'a. would
naturally sake ADMIRAL DeBey'- place af
the head Of ihA board in . Aamir-l's ao-
srrce.
TWO OF the three officers not r mhegs ui
the AosrI ,X-oiiiciO have L0' h,Cu scleott
definitely. buJ ii appears 40 be- quite certain
fhat one Of them wi!i be Cap. French r
chadwick. who commanded Jbg flagship
New York and was Admiral sampson 5
chief staff in the wsr with Spain. il is
said that one OF the three Viii be Captain
TAYLOR the author OF the general stan
plan. Lieut. ComdT. George II. Peters. Who
hv virtue of his position as principal assist
ant 10 the Chief Intelligence Officer. be
comes member Of Ike board. re
,ai,-a3 orders Yesterday 10 hold himself
in readiness for duty as executive officer
ef the Iowa his tour of shore service Of
pire7 His successor is the intelligence
49, ..-i-l tal.a bic nla-- ON IL. h-l-l-