The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-09-05
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
Radical Changes Will Be Made
In the Service.
MANY PROBLEMS TO BE MASTERED.

Glad of This-YounRer Set VIII
BENEFIT Most by Changes.
A competent military critic who has
carefully studied the new army reor-
ganization act declares in the Washing
ton Star that it will subject the regu-
lar military establishment to greater
and more radical changes than have
ever occurred at any one time in Its
history. He asserts that not only does
1T involve more careful and intricate
labor on the part of the war depar---
ment officials than the reorganizatiohs
of 1860 and 1869, but promises, espe
cially as regards the lower grades, to
result in a more general Encouragement
of the personnel of the army. Aside
from all this however, he claims to
voice the general sentiment of the ar
my in stating that, apart from some mi
nor details affecting the status of a
few particular classes Of officers, the
new law is most satisfactory as q
whole and will result in unmeasured
good to the military service both with
respect to general efficiency and specif-
ic individual advantage.
Under 1t he states that the regular
army will at last be organized on the
lines recommended and urged by mill
tary authorities for the past % years
and promises that degree Of elasticity
which would be equal to meeting the
emergency for quickly required army
pending the naturally tardy work of or
ganizing and equipping volunteers.
Speaking Of the proposed changes in
general, he declares that they involve
not only the introduction of large, en-
tirely new element into the regular
service, but provides for the fortunate
selection at this time Of that new ele-
ment from the experienced and well
trained younger officers Of volunteers
In this respect the regular army is de-
lighted. AS rule in times past en-
largements or curtailments Of the regu-
lar establishment have worked grave
injustices to veterans who, having no
political backing and relying upon mil
itary service alone, have been jumped
and Overslaughed by younger men.
This was especially so In 1885, when
volunteers 90 years Of age were ap-
| pOlAlCo SOlOhCiS ONCl ihCh W nv i"e
graduated from West Point in the for
ties
But it is not so now. While provid-
ing openings in the regular army for
aspiring young volunteers, the regular
officer already in the service will be
carefully guarded in his rights.
Nevertheless it will cause extensive
arrangement of the personnel of regi-
ments and will in great measure tend
to upset that regimental esprit which
prompts officers to espouse the respec-
tive regimental claims of particular
achievements and traditions. This con
dition relates exclusively to the line OF
; the army The personnel of the staff
will not be materially affected, mas
much as the additions to the staff be
ing all at the bottom will enable the
older set to be advanced each in his
own corps or department, wherein eacl
may cling to that esprit of corps which
all are wont to maintain and cherish
or course so far as the three arms OF
cavalry, artillery and infantry are con
cerned they will remain separate and
intact, unmixed with each other as il
1866. and the votaries of each may still
contend and banter with each Other
over alleged special merit and useful
ness. But ON the creation. of new regi
ments. the doubling of the cavalry
strength, the one-third increase of the
artillery and the one-fifth increase OF
infantry the changes in the personne
of regimental organization must neces
sarily be very decided.
, For example. of the 1896 line officers
of all grades on the army list of today
$50 will be promoted by the new law
q or the total 400 officers Of cavalry on
r will be promoted, of the $40 artillery
officers $50 will be advanced, and tn,
same will be true of $40 of the LA
g officers of infantry. AS far as prac
c ticable promoted officers will be assign
ed to their old regiments. but NATURAL,
obstacles to this plan will arise b.
reason of the scattered distant stations
of officers, and besides it may be de
cided to make general redistribution
J.. Of reglmental officers so as to preserv
a system of equaliZed rank and ex
perience in both old and new organiza
e tons. officers who desire especially t.
a waive advantages Of regimental statu
and to remain with old regiments il
whose service they have long share,
will doubtless be gratified. but all in al
the wholesale promotions bid fare t
cause a general upheaval Of regimenta
q personnel.
Some idea Of the extensive change
likely to occur in this regard may b.
e had from the statement that over $50
new commissions must issue, one-hal
of which will be for appointments from
o the volunteer force and civil life to tn
n go vacancies Of first and second lieu
6 tenants Of the line and 2SS availabl
vacancies Of first lieutenants, captain
8 and majors of staff, not including tn
! 200 two year service volunteer SUI
geons and assistant surgeons, the
retained volunteer quartermasters, tn
80 dental surgeons and the veterins
rians provided for. The vacancies t
| be caused by promotions and retire
ments and appointments to 10 briga