New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-10
COMMAND OF THE ARM Y
THE PLANS PROPOSED BY SECRETARY
ROOT AND GENERAL MILES
CONTRASTED.
rnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsI Me-


contemplates that the lieutenant general of the
army shall be detailed as chief of the general
staff corps and shall act adviser to the Secre-
tary of War and stand between that officer and
the whole army, line and staff. The chiefs OF
staff bureaus, instead of reporting to and con-
suting with the Secretary of War direct. would
perform their fun ctions under the chief Of the
general staff. This place would be filled by
General Miles long he remains on the &C
tive list but on his retirement the officer Sc
l4cted to be chief of the general staff must be
detailed for a period of four years only from
officers not below the rank of brigadier general
The presumption is that this will insure that an
officer of age and experience will be designated
for the place In the absence of any restricting
statute the President can. on the retirement of
General Miles, appoint a second lieutenant, or
even a civilian, to be lieutenant general of the
army, and If confirmed by the Senate he would
hold the office for life. The proposed bill modi-
fies this in way to meet the general opinion
that the chief of staff should be officer of
acknowledged experience and ability, with
tenure limited by efficient administration of his
office. This cannot be produced under the APP
plication of the seniority rule, therefore 1t is
especially declared that the selection shall be
made from any of the major or brigadier gen
erals Of the army. All instructions given by
Secretary of War; the representative of the
President, and the Secretary could we'll delegate
authority to the chief of staff in multitude Of
matters to which he has to give his per-
sonal attention because they involve eXpendi-
lures of public funds. With the authority to
Issue directions by order of the Secretary OF
War, the chief of staff would be entirely within
the limits of the law fixing certain duties on
the Secretary of War Under the present sys-
tenn the Secretary is and must continue to be
so overwhelmed with the labors of his office
that it will be impossible for him properly to
perform them all in person. 1t may be said in
regard to officers of the general staff that only
small proportion of them would be on duty at
the seat of government, where they would be
detailed in the preparation of plans, examina-
lions of reports of inspections of troops. pre-
paration of maps, and in working out schemes
for the organization of armies in time of war.
bringing the regular army and the War Depart
ment into closer and more harmonious relation
with the organized militia and with the work
of the navy than has been accomplished
heretofore Only those who have had to strug
gle under the present anomalous system can
realize how greatly the proposed legislation
would simplify procedure and promote eff
ciencv.
There may be a belief existing that the gov
Of campaigns but If so this belief is absolutely
without foundation The theory that the proper
commanding general would be able to formulate
plans out of his brain without hesitation Is ad-
mitted proper ideal to hold of such persons
as may be appointed 10 the grade OF general
officer but experienced officers know that no
careful student of the situation would FOR an
instant regard It Il business proposition.
President Mckinley appointed number of gen
eral officers at the outbreak of the war with
Spain, and about the first requisition by nearly
every of them in the shape of an ap-
peal TO be furnished with accomplished staff
of young men, who would be able to systematic
the business of their various organizations.
They were aware that. matter how great
brain general may have, there is an immense
amount of painstaking and systematic labor
involved In the preparation of an army for war
This is what is termed Throughout the world
general staff work. In the armies of the United
States 1t has always been performed by detailed
officers not recognized by law In these capacities.
GENERAL MILEs'S PLAN.
The plan proposed by General Miles contem
plates retaining the office of lieutenant general
commanding the army as a life appointment
turning over TO that officer the conduct of all
the affairs Of the army. including those of the
staff departments.
AS was SHOWN IN Inc 1TiDuIlc to-utSr "iieii
General Grant became President. he ordered
that this plan be put into operation under
General Sherman, who was then commanding
general of the army: but after about twenty
one days President Grant revoked the order
and restored the responsibility of the staff bu-
reaus under which all the appropriations are
disbursed. directly TO the Secretary or war
When II is remembered that General Macomo
was at the head of the army for about thirteen
years General Scott for twenty years. and that
on General Ailes's retirement he viii have been
at the head of the army through several ad-
ministrations, 1t may be understood why IL 10
not regarded advisable in republican form Oh
government to turn over the entire control of
affairs to the general of the army, who is not
In harmony or sympathy with the President
and Secretary of War in the present condition
OF affairs In fact General Miles's proposition
would practically displace the Secretary OF war
from nearly all the functions fixed upon him as
q Cal officer by law
In ,ha evidence given by Secretary Root be-
fore the Senate Military Committee. he sala '.ae
the finding of the commission to lnEeshgate tie
war with Spain of which General GrenVile NJ
Dodge was president appeared to demand three
essential notifications in the present army sys-
TEN. the first of which was the consolidation l OF
the quartermaster's, commissary ana pay ue-
partments, and the addition OF transportation
division under this new corps. The second
proposition involved the creation OF a general
staff corps the members of which were 10 be
selected from the officers of the army at large,
detailed bv the President and not life APP
pointments to take the place of the lieutenant
general commanding the army" The third
proposition related to merging the inspector gen.
erals department in the general staff
There several other things In the bill. but
the main points of the sharp controversy relate
to the consolidation of the supply departments
and the organization of the general staff. The
esta blishment of a transportation division Is de-
manded by the army for every business reason.
as well as a matter of expediency to prevent
other supply departments from further COM
r,lu amin Ia the nuartarmaSter'S dapa