New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-03
NEVER BEEN PREPARED"
GEN. CORBIN ON ARMY.
Speaks to Loyal Legion on the
General Staff Corps.

mandery of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion dined a paper on The Army and the
General Staff" by Major General Henry {. Cor
bin commander of the Department OF the East,
was read He dwelt on the advantages of the
General STAFF and its benefits to the army and
to the country, its functions, he said, being
somewhat similar to boards of admiralty Of for
efgn nations. There were short speeches by ex-
Speaker David B. Henderson. General John A
Johnston. Captain James A Moss and others.
including General Thomas II. Hubbard. who
presided and welcomed the members and guests.
Among the new members elected by inner
itance were Civil Service Commissioner A w.
Cooley, Hugh Hastings, the historian OF New
York State, and Allen Blaine Swords.
General Corhin traced the history of the staff
departments of the army, apparently to dispel
an idea that this country adopted any peculiarly
foreign system, and said:
The War Department and the Congress may
possibly have been Influenced by the knowledge
of wise and efficient army administration in
other countries, but as d matter of fact the pres
ent law was constructed wholly upon lines con-
sonant with own form of republican gov
eminent, keeping always in mind that the adj
ministration Of our military affairs shall both in
letter and in spirit be subordinate to the civil
authority
Speaking of the need for a general staff which
Until the passage Of the General Stan bill the
Adtanf eGePsT SnG f9s6eHfa s5er @ e
paItments, were by law under and subject only to
General and Inspector General reporting to both
general It was not possible under the tatute5
Tor the commander in chief TO give an order OF
s Ws in no 10 ea any GT the S 9p Eg9 oF &
whims Of any one connected with the War Depart
general commanding was not required, or even eS-
pected to examine estimates This too. by statute
was left entirely to the head of the War Depart
nent- For many years the senior officer Of the
chief. He was possessed Of but limited legal aii-
thority to command the line. and none at al over
Lieutenant- General schofeid. a most distin-
ggSned soldier and an eminent student Of cons-
only true function Of the senior general in time
Secretary Of Var and the O. Pres d S'" 10 'ne
The only countries Of the civilized world which
such as Is understood by the term of general
Britain The reason tbeTef5S is 9o55 IN 1nq a. F ff
that the Institutions OF both countries are based
ordination of the military to the civil authority
demanding rigid separation. as far as the army
King OF England and the President Of the United
with the REPRESENTATIVES o fh 5s o. IA ,l1 M
cfo,Qntry hoiGlng the purse strings under the
preparations for the. support of the army.
+ha ne moltarthS ,aiInerenceS IN England between
1t is gratifying TO notice that British cousins
ing to establish similar remedy for Iu the esfsb
hShnent OF unity OF administration of the affairs
It is true that we have taken but little or any
neeo o. me lessons OF our several wars. We have
have b5 IN Gby s isans prepared for war only after
us as nation in the way OF lives and money
would be difficult for the most intelligent 10 de-
can readily show; As matter Of fact any com
we hesitate 70 speak or write of It, IL involves
nationa! reproach, and yet should not be trla
and those coming after us II We ala not I1v bs-
these facts and apply remedies that have been too
This can, wei be made the unfinished business.
Those Of eorI c6aTgnT viii 1 o. me Loyal Lesion
takings would soon lose the confidence of ali buzi
against the "0 Of the A fu. Tse a P59v fbo
tional defence should, at least be wise as prI-
dent as men in ordinary business affairs By this
dS1Srtmen+t S f NE 70 say hhat pacing the
and yet within the Supervisory control Of the SeS
well taken? '
General Corbin gave to Secretary Root the
credit for originating a general staff law which
would remove conflict OF authority and yet keep
separate the control of the nations purse and
the nations sword. In finishing his address he
said:
1t is pleasure, no less than duty. to cor
rect any impression that may be in your minds
that the General Staff Corps was bred and born
departments The prevailing thought OF the
author was to make stronger and better that
which was already good, and to make eficiant
administration more so by bringing into action
the highest intelligence of the service be ii
either from the staff line.
No one can doubt for q moment the general
efficiency OF STAFF that gave supreme satisfac-
ton TO Washington. Scott Grant, Sherman and
sheridan. From Concord TO Appomatox and
all through Indian wars its record stands
approved; its service during the war with Spain
VIII, as IL is better under stood, have the ppre-
n = y rinTin 1fN ST
in the field nearly 100000 efficient troops. fUlIv
clothed, armed and equipped within eight wenIcs
from the date of declaration of war cannot but
challenge the admiration of all those who ex-
anime its work with fairness and inteuigence
The best answer that can be made TO the crit
les Of our army in the Spanish war is the fact
that the republic put to rout the army and navv
OF one Of the oldest countries OF Europe in 10
days-hardly more time than was required TO
organize some OF our regiments for service in
the Civil War. This thought alone will give
some idea of the rapidity with which work was
accomplished.
The Improvements in arms have been so
great that if General Grant himself should he
called back he. the great master of military
science and war, would not understand the
uon the use of high explosives and the rapidity
OF transportation. the application of electricity
10 military operations, etc. make it necessary
that we should improve all that is possible in
the way of administration
1t should be made quick. direct and conpre-
henstve. 1t this thought more than all
others, that inspired the law providing for the
organization of the General Staff Corps AS vet
IT is in its infancy: ii will be in order for it to
be afflicted with all infantile diseases and nos
sibly experience may suggest Legislative rene
dies but these will be of minor Importance IT'S
principles are right, and it viii stand every test
of fair trial The better it becomes known the
more the people will like IL.
We have been too unmindful of the infunc-
ton Of Washington that in peace we shouId ora
pare for war. We have trusted to luck oTifA
enough and wisdom insists that we shall risL,
II no more Any further trtfiins on these lines