The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-01
The War Department Reports Peace

For the first time Secretary Roof has
no story to tell in his annual report ex-
cept that of peace. The army of the
United States has been engaged recently
or is likely soon to be engaged, in no
operations more serious than those which
relate to a few of the unciviized Moros;
and this task is akin to that which has
always been an incidental function of
the military arm of the Government in
the case of the North American Indian
tribes.
No single fact sets forth more pla inly
the changed conditions in the Philippines.
the complete establishment of civil adj
ministration. and the end there both Of
organized instruction against American
sovereignty and also of guerrilla warfare
upon our flag. than the mere statistical
announcement by Mr.. Roof that the en-
listed strength Of the army has been re-
tory minimum of less than On, 900 The
effect of this order will be to bring down
The total of enlisted troops stationed in
the Philippines to i3,4So men.
Over the tremendous historical achieve
ment which the Secretary's report of
1902 implies rather than deliberately re-
cords he wastes no time or unnecessary
words. He passes TO the matters now
nearest his heart for the future good of
the service. namely, the reorganization
a the militia system and the creation Of
alGeneral STAFF for the Regular Army.
THE Militia bill embodying the Depart
rhents conclusions and desires passed
the House of Representatives at the
last session and is now with the SEN
ate Committee on Military Affairs, The
provisions Of the measure have been de-
scribed in THE Sun from time to time
Its general purpose and significance can
not be summar ized better or more briefly
than in Secretary RooT's own words:
The fundamental Idea Of the hill is to recognize
the value to tho National Government, OF the Ma
tlonal Guard, which Is capable OF being utilized.
first. active militia when called out BY the Pr.sl
dent for the specific purposes enumerated In the
Constitution. secondly. as an already organized
volunteer foicc when US organizations respond as
sIch TO calls for volunteers for general military
purposes under authority OF Congress; and thirdly
as INC Gfehl StllHnl or inc volunteer soldier the
lcucnis OF which are received by the country when
the members Of ne guard respond indl, ldua,ly TO
calls for volunteers. The BIZ undertakes TO rcgu.
late and provide for these various relations OF the
National Guard and It's members to the general
system TO conform the organization. armament
and discipline OF 'hc guard TO that OF the Regular
and Volunteer armies OF the United States. to &c
tab,sh closer relations and better cooperation be
tvcea the National Guard and the Regular Army.
TO pro note the efficiency and dignity OF the guard
as part Of tho military system OF the United
States"
II is the earnest recommendation Of the
Secretary mat the Militia bill be made
law. The Senate should do its part
promptly. 1t would be folly 10 risk the
fate of so we'll considered and clearly
eSpedient reform, now for the first
time so near accomplishment, by letting
il wait for the doubtful chances Of the
legislative hurly-burly Of the final days
Of the short session
New legislation creating General
STAFF remains in the Secretary's opinion.
the most important thing to be done
now for the Regular Army, The weak
moss of our present system is that it
makes no adequate provision for the
directing brain which every army must
have 10 work successfully Incidental
TO the creation of General staff would
be a change of the designation Of the
officer now known as Commanding
General Of the Army to Chief of
STAT" Mr., Roof points out fact that
is not understood by everybody, namely.
that the traditional title of " Command
ing General is not created by any
statute, but depends merely upon Execu-