New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-07
THE GENERAL STAFF.

Discussing the organization Of the General Stan.
Eecretary hoo; says IN part;
The important military event of the year affect
Df the system Of military control under the General
abolished the separate orlSe or general command
ing the army. provided for "A military chief of
lions OF lhe rsideni or Of The Secretary Of Var
representing iIIl should have supervision not only
OF al troops % ne line. but OF The special and
SiTeciy 70 The Secretary of Var. and il created
for;y-four officers who ~ere relieved from all other
Although, by its terms. The act was not to take
effect until august Il, 1903. III was obvious that
This raelcal change an The administration Of mill
tbry affairs ana the adjustment OF the new ma
ohineTy 10 me Old machinery which had been in
number If details TO he worked out eXperimentally
whose duties were s4ffected 4 board Was accord
;ugly convened in March to recommend selections
Soirb anS Maicr epS Icee 1iSs ana reoTiar [
49, b,a,S - e',r -I,i5s 49, = as IsoLut
scrty-tWo officers for detail upon their merits as
which convened the board also provided that va
oancies occurring IN The General stan Corps, after
its organization. should be nlled upon the recon-
gDendation Of a permanent board consisting Of the
-o-eI Sc Sr1,e c- 5,1,- ,ba W. r,sr+ "a
Enent operating in similar manner The three
President without action OF board.
Upon the report Of this board its recommenda-
fions approved without change. ana The OFF,
20 General Young who was 10 be the first chief
of stan They were then organized as an expert
mental or provisional general staff. and directed
triaution Of duties for The General Staff Corps.
draft of new regulations, and revision Of the old
regulations made necessary by the new departure
This gork done upon fun consultation with
the chiefs Of bureaus and taking the opinions Of
general officers commanding departments, and was
accompanied by reference 10 the provisional staff
organization Of many tasks ana problems TO be
worked out which were appropriate for General
Stan action. In order that they might become
familiar with their work and test by experiment
1he best methods Of accomplishing IT, In this
~ when took effect August Is
General STAFF was ready 20 enter upon the dis
EsuiZstiCn, distribution Of duties and regulations.
snd a considerable familiarity with the duties
which its members were 10 perform.
The general plan conten Nlates that every sub
sect requiring investigation and study shall be
worked out first y the officers assigned 70 the ap-
when Of sufficient Importance. shah then be con-
sidered by a general STAFF council composed of the
three general officers Of the corps and the heads
Of the three divisions, and shall then be acted
Ssfsfli,s chief cf sIan laid before the Sec
retarv Of War by him with his recommendation.
control has been accompanied by most harmonious
tffort and cheerful good VriII an the rart of tba
War Department bureaus and the officers of the
army al large. In some cases the Intervention
% ihe chief ~ stan and his assistants has result
authority Of Other officers This has been received
almost universally with cheerful readiness to
f-Norllile PERSONAL collslGeraJonS 10 the good Of
The service. The exceptions have been so few and
trimporant as 10 justify the belief that they will
disappear
Special credit is due TO Rrigadier General Will
IAN H. carter Tor the exceptional ability and
urinG Industry which he has contributed the
operation the General Stan law He brought thor
ough and patient historical research and wide eX-
Qerence both in the line and the staff 10 the aid of
lols continued. ANXIOUS and coEcentrated thought
upon the problem Of improving military administra-
ion anc II the new system shall prove TO be an
iinlproreinent the gain 10 the country viii have
been largely due TO him.