Evening star., 1903-08-15
GENERAL ARMY STAFF
Two Orders Issued BY the
New Chief.
REVISED REGULATIONS
MODIFIED TO MEET REQUIRE
MENTs OF THE SYSTEM.
Duties of the New Board of officers De-
fined-Relation of Its Head to the
Secretary and the President.

Two general orders were today issued by
General Young as chief of staff of the army
under the new law. The first states that
in compliance with the instructions of the
President General Young assumed the du-
ties of chief of staff The second order an
nounces the assignment of officers of the
general staff and the war college board as
follows:
Assistants to the chief of staR-Major
General Henry c. Corbin. adjutant general;
Brigadier General William H. Carter: Brig
adler General Wallace F. Randolph chief
of artillery. The officers named will per
form such duties may be assigned them
under the law by the chief Of staff.
The field officers and captains Of the gen
eral staff corps will be assigned to duty and
stations as the needs of the service may
require.
The war college board appointed by gen.
eral orders of 1902. is hereby dissolved, and
hereafter the duties assigned to said board
will be performed by such section of the
War Department general staff as may be
designated for the purpose by the chief Of
staff
Until further orders the college shall be
governed, and it's work directed. subject
to the instructions Of the chief Of staff, by
board consisting of Brigadier General
dShtI fouSS, president, SOl Alex
ander Mackenzie Corps of Engineers. gen
eral staff: Major William D. Beach. 10th
Cavalry, general staff. directors Colonel
William P Hail. assistant adjutant general.
is announced as acting adjutant general
of the army.
The army regulations. as revised to meet
the requirements of the general staff sys-
tenn, were issued today in general orders.
These regulations are significant. as they
clearly define the duties of the general
staff and TIE relations of the chief of staff
to the President and the Secretary of War.
Thsrmore important regulations are as fol-
lows:
Composition.
1. The general staff corps. created in con-
forminty to the act of Congress approved
February IA. 1903. is composed of officers
of the grades and numbers specified in said
act. detailed for service in said corps for
a period of four years unless sooner re-
lieved, under rules of selection prescribed
by the President. Upon being relieved from
duty in the general staff corps officers re-
turn to the branch of the army in which
they hold permanent commissions, and. ex-
cept in case of emergency or in time of
war, are not eligible to further detail there
in until they have served for two years
with the branch of the army in which COM
missioned- This ineligibility does not ap
ply to any officer who has been relieved
prior to the expiration of four years duty
with the corps; but such officer will become
ineligible soon he shall have COM
pleted total of four years of said duty
While serving in the general staff corps Of
fcers may be temporarily assigned to duty
with any branch of the army.
Relations.
2 The law establishes the general staff
corps as a separate and distinct staff or
ganiZation, with supervision, under supe-
rior authority. over all branches of the mil
itary service. line and staff. except such as
are exempted therefrom by law reSula-
tons, with a view to their coordination
and harmonious cooperation in the execu-
ton of authorized military policies.
Duties.
3. The general staff corps, under the di-
rection of the chief of staff. is charged with
the duty of investigating and reporting
upon all questions affecting the efficiency of
the army and it's state Of preparation for
military operations and to this end conSid-
ers and reports upon all questions relating
to organization distribution equipment,
armament and training of the military
forces (regularS. volunteers and miiitia),
proposed legislative enactments and general
and special regulations affecting the army,
transportation. communications, quarters,
and supplies; prepares projects for maneu-
verS: reviSeS estimates for appropriations
for the support of the army and advises as
to disbursement of such apprOpria tons; ex-
ercises supervision over inspections militia
ry education and instruction. examinations
for the appointment and promotion of Off
GERS. efficiency records. details and assign
mentS. and all orders and instructions orig
mating in the course of administration in
any branch of the service which have rela-
ton to the efficiency of the military forces;
prepares important orders and correspond
ence embodying the orders and instructions
of the President and Secretary of War to
the army: reviews the reports examining
and retiring boards: and acts upon such
other matters a the Secretary of War may
determine.
4. The general staff corps under like di-
rection. is further charged with the duty of
preparing plans for the national defense
and for the mobilization of the military
forces Gncluding the assignment to armies
corps. divisions and other headquarters of
the necessary quota OF general staff and
other staff ofticers). and incident thereto
with the study of possible theaterS of war
and of strategic questions in general; with
the collection of military informal ton of
foreign countries and of our own. the prep
aration of plans of campaign. of reports of
campaigns, battles, engagements and expe-
ditions and of technical histories of military
operations of the United States.
). To officers of the general staff CORPS
are committed the further duties of render
ing professional aid and assistance to the
Secretary OF War and to general officers
and other superior commanders and of act
ing as their agents in informing and co-or-
dinating the action of all the different off,
GERS who are subject under the provisions
of law to the supervision Of the chief of
staff
They perform such other military duties
not otherwise assigned by law as may from
time to time be prescribed by the President
Under the authority here conferred officers
of the general staff corps are intrusted with
the executive duties hereinafter indicated
g. Officers of the general staff corps as
signed to duty with commanders of armies
corps. divisions. separate brigades terrific
rial divisions and departments are collect
lively denominated the general staff serving
with troops. They serve under the fmme-
diate orders of such comma nder: those not
so assigned perform duty under the imme-
d1ate direction of the chief of staff and
constitute the War Department general
staff.
Z. The foregoing assignment of duties tn
the general staff corps does not involve in
any degree the impairment OF the Initiative
and responsibility which special staff corns
and departments now have in the trans,c-
ton of current business
War Department General Staff - Or