New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-23
ARMY'S WORK IN PEACE.
1T is TO PERFECT ITSELF IN MILITARY
SCIENCE AND SKILL. SAYS
SECRETARY ROOT

Washington July 22-Secretary Root, before
leaving Washington to-day. issued the follow
ing:
With the reduction of the Philippine force and
the withdrawal from Cuba, the army is called
upon TO resume its most important work In ume
Of peace-the work of perfecttng itself In mill
tary science and skill, and of promotion or the
preparation OF the United States against future
warfare. / wish to call attention 10 the condi-
tons which require especial EFFORT and zeal
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 1,542 iieutenants, in addition
to 276 appointed from the Military Academy
OF these $40 were appointed from officers OF
volunteers under the act of February :, l3Ol;
Ala were appointed from the enlisted men OF the
regular and volunteer armies. and Oh were ap-
pointed from civil life.
The abandonment of the military schools for
commissioned officers which followed the en-
plOyment OF the entire army in active military
operations has left these ls04Z new ueutenants
substantially without any means OF acquiring
a systematic military education. While many
OF the former officers Of volunteers have &C
quired the most valuable experience by active
service In the field, yet II is of great importance
10 them. well as TO the unframed appontees
from civil life and from the ranks. that they
shall nave opportunity for broad and thor
ough training, both practical and theoretical
under the competent masters 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 its sanction 10 the general system OF
military education embodied in the general or
der Of November p last including the enlarge
ment and development Of the Fort LeavenwOrth
school into a General Service and Staff College,
the establishment OF the War College at Wash
ington. with suitable buildings. and the rebuild
ing Of the Engineer School, and has made ample
appropriations for these purposes.
Every effort Will be made by the War College
Board which has general supervision and
charge Of the whole system. TO bring its ad-
vantages TO the new officers Of the army as
speedily possible. and to organize officers
schools az all the considerable posts without
delay. ! ask for hearty and effective Co-Opera-
ton with them the part OF every officer Of
the army. There 1852 graduates OF the
Military Academy holding commissions.
They especially have opportunity 10 demon
strae their loyalty 10 the principles Of that in
stitution by helping to diffuse throughout the
service the benefits which have come to them
from their four years of hard study.
The newly appointed officers should realize
that there is much TO be learned. and that the
way qualify themselves for the HIGH and in
dependent command 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 20 deal.
Careful attention TO the instruction Of the
newly appointed officers is enjoined upon all
regimental. troop battery and company com
manders They should be impressed with the
Importance OF the faithful performance Of every
duty, however unimportant II may appear to
them, and with their responsibility for such con-
duct and bearing IN all their relations as shall
do honor to the service