The Washington times., 1903-08-23
The General Staff.
It's Operations Promise Better Business
Methods in the Army.
pIoach

Although a few days only have
elapsed since the army general staff
was installed, there are indications
already that its operations will be sue
eessful. The plan is modelled after
the systems used in the countries of
Europe, which maintain large stand
ing armies, and its scope is capable of
extension, should the necessity arise
at any time for increasing our mill
tary force beyond its present num-
bers.
The need of such an organization
as the general staff has long been felt
III civilian as well as military circles.
In theory the idea approaches perfec-
tion IN the maintenance of good disci-
pline, and in practice its results can
but prove better than the old system
1t displaces, and which time out of
mind has been productive Of enmity
between the titular military head of
the army and the civilian chief of the
War Department These two have al
most always worked at cross pur-
poses, and at times the breach be-
tween them has been wide. The com
manding general of the army as such
has been little more than a figurehead,
and not infrequently his name has
been attached to orders which he
never saw until after they were pub
bshed.
The office of Commanding gen
eral," which was more honorary than
important in the administration of
the affairs of the army, is now abol-
ished, and in its stead there is created
a chief of staff who is virtually the
agent of the President in the execu-
ton of the orders of the constitution
al Commander-in-chief of the Army,
acting through the Secretary of War.
If at any time there is lack of har-
mony between the chief of staff and
his superior, the Secretary of War,
the chief of staff is expected TO ask to
be relieved. Another commendable
feature of the plan is the provision
that the chief OF staff shall vacate his
Office with the incoming of each Ad-
ministratiOn, so that the President
may be at liberty to appoint an off
Ger who will be in full sympathy and
accord with him and his views He
can hold his office for a term no
longer than four years, at the ead of
which time, if not retired, he is to re.
turn to the line. The same IS true Of
his subordinates. This rotation in of
fee is destined TO prevent the building
up of bureaucracy, and TO give ali
officers Of the line an opportunity for
service upon the general staff.
The scheme is further calculated TO
centralize power and to avert a con
flict of authority. Where the several
bureaus of the department have here
tofore acted Independently of each
other, thus not infrequently causing
confusion, embarrassing entangle-
ments and delays, there IS to be co
operation and concerted effort. This
can but be beneficial to the service
and promote its efficiency.
The need of a general staff was en-
phasized during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, and its adoption now is one
of the results of the experience gained
in that brief but costly conflict.
Hereafter better business methods
will be employed in the conduct of the
affairs Of the army in times Of war
and peace.
Doubtless the system IS capable of
some improvement Many believed at
the time the measure creating the gen
eral staff was drafted, and still be
lieve, that the provision abolishing the
Inspector Generals Corps should
have been retained Instead, through
The efforts of General Breckenridge, ii
was stricken out. The workings OF
the present scheme will, within a short