The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-13
GENERAL NAVY STAFF
PLAN PROMULGATED
Includes Chief and Three Grand
Divisions.

Secretary Moody announced the details
Of the general staff plan prepared by
the general board of the navy In naval
circles great interest is taken Ia the
proposition. which provides for q COM
piete reorganization of the department.
The matter was much discussed while
Secretary Moody was absent from Wash
| II gton and the plans were submitted to
HIM upon his return, and he has given
them careful consideration. In the opin-
len Of some. both civilians and officers,
the scheme curtails the power of the
Secretary of the Navy and too greatly
aCements the authority of the naval
officer who is made the chief Of staff.
but this is denied by the friends of the
proposed staff
The plan is to have the military end
OF the Navy Department placed under
the senior ranking naval officer on duty
az the department. who viii have the
position OF chief Of staff and who, 1t Is
desired, shall rank as vice admiral This
officer viii. be responsible to the Secre-
tary for the organization and movements
OF fleets and all subjects relating to the
personnel of the naval service.
Under the chief of staff there are to
be three grand divisions-the divisions of
feet. of personnel and OF war plans. The
chief of staff is to rank as a rear adj
miral, and his duties will be the organ
ization of fleets and squadrons, the ar
engagements of combined maneuvers,
mobilization, and to advise on all ques-
tons of war plans and questions OF
policy involving foreign fleets.
The second division is to be under
the command of a rear admiral or SEN
Tor captain, and the third division un-
der a captain or commander. The War
College is to rank with the third dfvis-
Ion, under command OF a rear admiral.
a captain or commander. and VIII
consist OF ten or more commissioned
officers, whose duty 1t will be to study
and solve plans of war. strategy and
tactics. to prepare scientific and pro-
fessional papers and conduct an annual
course of instruction for young officers
of the navy.
The scheme contemplates the crea-
ton Of an executive committee, to con-
sist of the chiefs of the general staff
and OF the War College and inteli-
gence sections
1t is proposed that the title OF the
general board be changed TO the gen.
eral council" which shall consist of the
Admiral of the Navy, the chiefs of the
general staff, and sections I, and 3.
the War College. intelligence and board
Of inspection sections. the commandant
of the Marine Corps and such chiefs of
h,r 81
as the Secretary may designate The
duties OF the general council viii be of
an advisory nature on all subjects re-
ferred to 1t by the Secretary, such as
the naval policy of the United States,
naval increase and plans. questions OF a
general nature affecting the govern
ment, administration and organization
OF the navy. and TO be an advisory and
amendatory power on war plans.
Many of the present bureau chiefs of
the Navy Department are opposing the
general staff idea on the ground that
it places too much power in the hands
of a possible clique. Other officers of
prominence. among whom may be men
toned Capt. Alfred T. Mahan. Admiral
George Dewey. Rear Admiral II. c. Tay-
lor. chief OF the Bureau of Navigation.
and Rear Admiral r. D. Evans. are adj
vocates of the proposition 1t is under
stood that Secretary Moody has as yet
refused TO give his official Endorsement
to the plan or TO promise to recommend
its adoption to Congress. Senator Eu-
gene Hale and Representative Dayton. of
West Virginia. members Of the Senate
and House Naval Affairs Committees re-
spectively, are said to be strongly op-
posed to the plan