New-York tribune., 1903-08-08
IMPORTANT CHANGES.
General STAFF Lac Goes Into Effect
Nert SGturd0u.
TFnoM TIE TRIBUNE Br-prAr,

Washington, Aug. Three United States
Army generals are brought into special pron,i-
nenae by the system Of retirements and pro-
motions which brings. almost Simultaneously
fame and oblivion to the men who have made
successes III military life in the United States
Inc process produces an ever changing person
mel as the senior officers Of the army rise 10 high
est rank and then disappear by retirement. Rv
these changes now taking place, Lieutenant Cen
eral Nelson A. Miles steps into private life from,
his position as commanding general Of the army
one week after his retirement the General
staf Plan formulated by Secretary Root and
approved and enacted into law by Congress will
De put into operation, and Major General Sam
Vel & NJ Young win be raised to the rank Of
lieutenant general and viii be assigned to duty
as chief Of the General STAFF. General Young's
promotion win make vacancy in the major
general class, which is to be filed by the rro-
motion Of Brigadier General Leonard Wood.
General Young viii have only six months
10 serve with his higher rank. as he retires
on January next Those who make pre-
dlctlons say that he viii be succeeded as
chief of the General Stah by Major General
Aona h Chaffee who viii be advanced TO the
RANK or lieutenant general. General Chaffee
M.L nave ABOUT two years TO serve in the po-
eltlon, when he too will go out and Adiufan+
5eheral henry c Corbin viii undoubtedly get
Ihe aooltionai rank and will be allowed to de-
vote the remaining six months of his service
TO the duties Of chief of the General StaeF NEo;o
5osaeIdi Sode Arthur Macarthur. who also retres in
s9Oo Wlll doubtless have short period with the
Aighest honora. when General Leonard Wood
VII ran naturally into the place with a service
OF twelve years before him
1t is regarded as q circumstance of moro +ban
passing interest that none of these generals
were graduated from West Point. In fact there
are Twelve ranking generals on the army list
Defore a West Pointer is reached Rrigadjer
General Frederick D. Grant being the first mill
iafy academy man, and he was out of the
regular army service for Just twenty years. al
though serving with the volunteers during the
war with Spain.
NEVER FoRGAyE MILEs's JOKE-AI-
fnough it is generally understood that General
SlIess sense of humor is not sufficiently deveI-
oped even 10 enable him 10 hold a position on
Fuhch,' a story IS told of him which would
lholcate that under provocation he can indulge
Ia a sportive practical joke. The incident"
sad al army man, is accepted by some of us
~ an explanation OF some of the friction ba-
iWeen General Miles and his colleagues which
years cf association have developed AS Won
know. many Of the historic jeaIousies. cabaIs
and feuds have been founded on circumstances
IN themselves insignificant
a number Of years ago. Miles. who is y b,g
man physically, and another well known GER
eraL clean shaVen and of small stature xre-e
detailed 10 report 10 4 Western garrison. As
Inc incident which 7 am about 70 relate has
HeYer been forgiven by the small general. who
"iiA brides at suggestion Of the indienftv he
suffered. I shah omit his name
To this companion of Miles was assigned tba
duty Of arranging for berths on the pfr,,a-,
ca. The two generals then were friends bpt
Zach took pleasure in getting the better of the
ether, All with apparent good nature Whether
;aere was conscious CT unconscious Jealousy at