The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-08
THE GENERAL STAFF.


fUrm-The French and British Htans.
The General STAFF for the army, the achieve
ment Of Secretary Root has materia
existence, and the War College. where the
future General Staff il to Ire trained II
just entering on its great work
Now that we have a General Stan OF our
own and the beginnings OF War College
Il may he well to cast a glance at the work
OF other war colleges and the manner in
which other General Staffs are trained
and worked
n 80 happens that the new orders (issued
annually for the rides or journeys of in
struction OF the officers of the French War
College have just been issued, and they
are very interesting as illustrating how
much Is done in France for the training of
these officers,
In France, the officers who have passed
the entrance examination TO the War Col
lege are ordered during the summer pre-
ceding their entrance CT the college to duty
in the two arms of the service other than
their own. and, consequently, when they
report at the college on Oct. they have
a practical knowledge of the other two
arms. which renders the theoretical in
struction at the collega much more Use
full to them In Germany, on the other
hand. the officers are thus detailed to serve
in the other arms after the first year at the
War College, during the summer vacations.
In France this period is utilized for the
practical field instructiO of the officers Of
the first year
The exercises last from May 81 to Aug
81 Ia f,la
during this period. perform the following
work: A journey of four days in studying
Notifications; a seven days cavalry ride
of instruction: six days infantry ride;
a seven days journey over the battlefelds
Of Orleans. Coulmiers, Loigny and Patay;
a five days artillery ride of instruction.; a
five days visit to the Artillery Firing School
at Poitiers; and. finally, twenty days
journey to study the entire northern
frontier.
The officers of the second years class
ney, make visit of twenty days to the
camp of Chalons, where they take part in
the infantry target practice (Which ia there
conducted Stimulating war conditions), and
make an inspection Of the care reguldtrice
in Rheims ian important railroad station
for the mobilization and strategic deploy-
ment of the French Army in time f
war;, take part in three days exercise
in the attack and defence OF Notifications
at Belfort, then make twenty days jour-
ney along the Alps, and, finally a four days
visit to the battlefelds of Aug IS, 1870,
and OF Sedan.
The General STAFF and the Military His
l@ 1I-,
the rest either by rail, by carriage by
bicycle or on foot. AT the end of these
summer exercises the officers take part in
the autumn manPuvres.
1t is thus seen how much attention is
given to practical instruction in the open,
in addition to the theoretical studies at
the War College itself Our own institu-
ton will no doubt pursue a similar course,
and the graduates, after such severe work,
should do credit to the institution.
Having seen what work is required to
train General Staff officer let us see what
is expected OF General Staff in time of
war, and in manner prepare our own fine
body OF General Staff officers for what they
may expect from the army in our next
The British Army furnishes an excellent
example, and the Military Mail, in a recent
gives us picture that offers much
food for reflection:
II Is q standing tradition. not altogether peculiar
to the British Army. TO abuse the Army stan both
This practice. no doubt, has It's origin in the ex-
tremr ncapncity that the stan have at times dis:
active service. This is curious because. II one
person Is more essential than any other. not only
70 comfort. but to military success Il Is the stan
history that the British Army hHs been cursed
past. i Ia the Peninsula the Duke had leavened
and w,nnowcd his star I'll 1t was extremely effi
best men we're in America or in the uttcrmost parts
OF the earth; so that for that browning campaign
he had the worst stan to give his own words. that
stan was cursed and abused most heartily. some.
times perhaps with reason, but far in excess OF
matter OF course. every one abused the stan. Doubt
less Il was due to the shortcomings Of the stan that
The people who abuse the stan are the regi-
mental ofi'cers. and, under them the rank and lc,
because is they who at once feel the effect Of bad
stan work. But the regimrntal officer II an un.
individual at times and does not always
dlscrim'nste between stan caprice and the enieen-
ments. but because OF the unooked-for move
be r as c GOOD lS e we're KNOWN
stan, We. 'he War stan Of the army, 80 pr.va
lent with us. Is much 10 be deprecated, II must be
ntsy worthy q confidence. II otscers and men
must follow men who NAV make an error Of judy
mental are human-but who never make
error In routine administration through careless
ness. Ignorance and lack o! energy.
These are some OF the trials that the Cen
era STAFF officer will have to endure. but
it is hoped that the War College training
and the detail system (bv which the officers
remain on the General STAFF for term OF
four years only. thus insuring constant
change in its personneD will overcome
all difficulties and give us a staff like that
Of Germany in 1901, whose praises lin
spite of many blunders) are still sung by
military men at home and abroad.
The detail Of instructors and students
for the Army War College will probably
ba made early in October, and the svstem
Of instruction and training will begin at
once. With the present carefully selected
and able corps Of General staff officers in
charge Of this institution. there can be
no question as to the character Of the work
that will be done and the thoroughness
Of the training that will be given.
American Colleges in Turkey.