The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-15
Secretary Root VIII PromuIgate the
Orders Putting Its Provisions Into
Full Operation.
DUTIES OF CHIEF OF STAFF
FULLY PRESCRIBED IN THE DOCU-
MENT FROM Fl SECRETARY.
His Relation tn the President and the
Head of the War Department.
Other New Features.

WASHINGTON, Aug. H.-Secretary Root
tomorrow will ~promulgate a rule defining
the duties of the general staff of the army,
which, under the law, goes into effect on
Aug. Is. The most important feature is that
in relation TO the selection and duty of the
chief of the staff. On this point the secre-
tary says:
Under the act of Feb. IA, 1903, the com
mand of the army of the United States rests
with the constitutional commander-in-chief,
the President. The President will place
parts of the army and separate armies
whenever constituted under commanders
subordinate to his general command; and,
in case of exigency SEEMING TO him to require
it, he may place the whole army under a
single commander subordinate to him; but
in time of peace and under ordinary condi-
tons the administrator and control of the
army are effected without any second in
command.
1.-THE Presidents command is exercised
through the secretary of war and the chief
of staff. The secretary of wal is charged
with carrying out the policies of the Pres
ident in military affairs. He directly rep
resents the President, and Is bound always
to act in conformity to the Presidents in
structions. Under the law and the deci-
sions of the Supreme Court his acts are the
Presidents acts and his directions and or
ders are the Presidents directions and
orders. The chief of staff reports to the
secretary of war. acts as his military adj
wiser, receives from him the directions and
orders given in behalf of the President, and
gives effect thereto in the manner herein
after provided.
Exceptions to this ordinary course of
ADMINISTRATION may, however, be made at
- 81 - n
dent IL he sees fit TO call upon the chief
of staff to give information or advice or re-
ceive Instructions directly.
The chief of staff is detailed by the
President from officers OF the army at
large not below the grade of brigadier gen.
eral. The successful performance of the
duties of the position requires what the
title .denotes-a relation of absolute con-
fidence and personal accord and sympathy
between the chief of staff and the President
and necessarily also between the chief OF
staff and the secretary of war. For this
reason. without any reflection whatever
upon the officer detailed, the detail Will In
every case cease, unless sooner terminated.
on the day following the expiration of the
term of Office of President, by whom the
detail is made, and If at any time the chief
of staff considers that he can no longer
sustain toward the President and the secre-
tary of war the relations above described,
it will be his duty to apply to be relieved.
The chief of staff is charged with the
duty OF supervising, under the direction OF
the secretary or war, all troops OF the line,
the adjutant generals, inspector generals.
judge advocate generals, q~uartermasters,
subsistence, medical, pay and ordnance de-
partments. the corps of engineers. and the
signal corps. He performs such other mill
tary duties not otherwise assigned by law
as may be assigned to him by the Presi-
dent"
This paragraph and subsequent para
graphs confer all authority in the Wal De
partment on the chief of staff under the
direction of the secretary of war.
The remainder of the order relates to the
duties of other members Of the general
staff and gives the provisions of the law
relating to the general staff. The general
staff will become an advisory and lnvesti-
eating body and will prepare plans for
the organization and mobilization of the
army, collect information and make prepa-
ration for plans of campaigns, etc. The
officers of tine general staff assigned to
duty in Washington will be divided into
divisions such as may be directed by the
chief of staff. Officers of the general stan
assigned to divisions, departments and sep
arate brigades will serve under the inn
mediate orders of the commander OF such
separate divisions and departments.
Another general order has been issued
amending the regulations of the army
to meet the changed conditions which the
general-staff law makes necessary.