The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-23
MUST PREPARE FOR
WAR DURING PEACE
Root Insists on Further Train
ing of Young Officers
WAR COLLEGE NECESSARY
Urges Soldiers to Study Hard and Take
as Much intellectual Exercise as
Possible-Wants West
Point Men to Help.

Washington, July 22.-secretary Root,
before leaving Washington today issued
the following:
with the reduction of the Philippine
force and the withdrawal from Cuba
the army is called upon to resume it's
most important work in time of peace
the work of perfecting Itself in military
science and skill, and of promoting the
preparation of the United States against
future wars. I wish to call your atten-
tlon to the conditions which now require
especial effort and zeal on your part in
the performance of this duty
"Since the declaration of war with Spain
In April 1898, there have been appointed
in the line of the army 1912 heutenants,
military academy. OF these SIG were ap-
pointed from officers of volunteers under
the act of February 2, 1901; 414 were APP
pointed from the enlisted men of the reg
ular md volunteer armies, and 512 were
appointed from civil life.
Left Without instructions.
1.-THE abandonment of military schools
ed the employment of the entire army in
active military operations has left these
1912 new lieutenants, substantially with
out any means of acquiring a systematic
military education. While many of the
former officers of volunteers have ac-
quired the most valuable experience to
them, as well as to the unframed APP
pointees from civil life, and from the
ranks, that they shall have an opportu-
nifty for broad and thorough training,
both practical and theoretical, under
competent master in the art OF war whom
our army is able to supply.
Congress has now, with wise liberality
made provision for the reopening of the
army schools, has given it's sanction to
the general system of military educa-
ton embodied in the general order of
November q last including the enlarge
ment and development OF the Fort Leav-
enworth school into a general service
and staff college, the establishment of the
war college at Washington with suitable
buildings and the rebuilding of the en-
gineners school, and has made ample
appropriations for these purposes.
Every Effort VIII Be Made.
EVERY effort will be made by the
war college board, which has general
supervision and charge of the whole sys-
tenn, to bring its advantages TO the new
officers of the army as speedily as pos
sible, and to organize officers schools
at all the considerable posts without de-
lay. I ask the hearty and effective CO.
operation with them on the part of every
officer of the army. There are 1852 grad
yates of the military academy now hold
ing commissions. They especially nave
an opportunity to demonstrate their 10y
atty to the principles of that institution
by helping to diffuse throughout the
service the benefits which rave come
to them from their four years Of hard
study.
THE newly appointed officers should
read, as that there is much to be learn
ed, and that the way to qualify them
selves for the high and independent COM
mand for which they should all hope
Is by constant intellectual exercise and
by systematic study of the reasons OF
military action and the materials and
conditions and difficulties with which
military commanders have to deal
careful attention to the instructions
of the newly appointed officers is en-
Joined on all regimental, troop, battery
and company commanders. They should
be impressed with the Importance of the
faithful performance of every duty,
however unimportant 1t may appear to
them and with their responsibility for
such conduct and bearing in all their
relations as shall do honor to the SER
VII