The age-herald., 1900-02-23
LUDLOW'S PLAN FOR l THE WAR COLLEGE Important Function Will be Stu- dy of Military Campaigns WILL BE OF GREAT BENEFIT =aaa HH-4uas as Experienced Dur
 ra W Wlth Spain Will be
 1ided Ilsl ction of
 National Cu ard
WILL BE OF GREAT BENEFIT

New York February 22.-General William Ludlow has just returned from Washing ton where he has been in consultation with Secretary Root and the other two members of the war college board of which General Ludlow is president.
 ''The general purpose of our plan Tor war college" said General Ludlow "is the co-ordina ting and unification of the systems of instruction at the existing institutions, the development of those systems and the creation of a new school for the most ad- vanced study of military problems. The ac- complishment of these ends will also involve some changes in the relations of the mili- tary and naval branches.
 "It IS not proposed to do away with any of the existing instructions in the service schools of which there are four; West Point. the engineers school at Willetts Point, the heavy artillery school at Fort Monroe and the school for cavalry and list artillery at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. The officers of the new college will exercise general supervision over the course Of study in each of these schools, having in mind the work of each, and its relation to the work of all of them with the war college This supervision will be extended to all civil in stitutions to which the government details an officer for military instructions.
 'No very definite plans have been made for the formation of the war college. but it seems probable that it will be placed Tn Washington both for the sake of having at hand the very valuable library of the war department and in order that it may aid the bureau of military information
 study of Campaign Plans
 "One of the most important functions of the war college will be the study of plans of campaign by the military and naval branches under all conceivable oircum- stances. a study of what line of action would be desirable in war wita this, or that power, or powers, on this continent or abroad, and under all the possible condi- tions of armament and transportation CT the various forces involved. This is what might be called study of specific strate- BY. andl has been carried to great length in the German army.
 Tn the course of such a study of courses of action in possible wars, 1t will be the th,fy of the college 10 accumulate all pos eible Information practical and theoretical which may Dear on any military problem. The faculty of the college will be expected to study the military organization of this country w1th eye to a complete under standing of It's practical ehicieEcy Of op- era lion, and will constitute an advisory board. to wflch the secretary can turn al any time for details and recommendations as to any point In the mechanism of the whole military service.
 Secretary Root recognizes the fact that a secretary to attempt to master all the technical de- tails of the service, and he wishes the war college to be a body upon which the sec- retary may depend for professional and expert advice and information.
 ''1ine study of plans of campaign by the colleges and the accumulation of military information will make the inauguration Of a campaign in case of war only matter of the issuing of the necessary orders by the secretary, as all the requirements wil have been carefully studied out beforehand.
 To Secure a Better Understanding
 "A very important part of the work of the college will be the securing CT better understanding by the officers of the army and navy, respectively, of the problems and conditions attending the work of the two branches. At present many army officers know little of the mechanism of the navy and naval officers are largely ignorant of the conditions of land operations. A first step towards remedying these defects has already been taken by detailing several officers from all arms of the service for study at Annapolis during the coming summer.
 The careful regulation of the relations between the regular army and the national guard is one thing 10 which the presem, board will give attention. The Spanish war brought out many difficulties, which were not known to exist as well as many that were known, and thorough readjustment of the statars of the guard, its equipment and instruction Is imperative. The col lege VIII, of course, have supervision over these matters.
 'Ihe college is intended to supplement and strengthen the reforms in the army administration which Secretary Root nas just proposed to congress. The change in the bureau system, if carried cut as he urges wiM make the whole department more active and efficient. Above the whole system will stand the war college as crit dcal and advisory body, always informed of the operation and needs of the various arms of the service and prepared at any time to report to the secretary on any mat ter as to which he wishes advice or infor- nation.
 'The first formal meeting of my board wsli be held in Washington on Monday, and shall of course attend it. l shall return to Havana on March 8, to finish my work there, in accordance With Secretar Roots wishes. l think the subs titution of the civil for the military rule will be completed within two months more, after which I shall return here and devote my time to the work of planning the war college.">