Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

basing it's organization upon the German
system, the general stan of the American
army may not prepare a drawer with coun-
ter orders. France was not the only pros
pective enemy which Germany had pre-
pared for and there were other drawers, so
in the United States one OF the duties OF
the general stan will be to decide what
course the army of the United States should
follow in case OF war with any particular
Should war be with Mexico the
movement OF the troops would be radically
different from what It would be In case OF
war involving Canada. Wal with France
would mean one movement and war with
china another. All OF these possible con-
tingencies must be considered by the gen.
eral staff and tentative plans adopted to
provide for any condition.
other Problems to Solve.
But It is not with the movement Of troops
alone that the general stan will deal. In
its membership are representatives of every
department of the army-the stan positions
OF the present day. These representatives
will be expected to take such part In the
preparation for possible wars as to know
exactly what each OF the troops In those
departments will be required to do. For
example, the representatives of the commits
sary department on the general stan will
be expected to know Just how much food
will be required for any probable move
ment. and not only that. but how II can
best be transported TO the troops, and the
ration in which II should be issued under
all circumstances. This department will
also have to select an emergency ration
which shall be permanent and shall be
issued under certain conditions.
III -
expected, through its representative on the
general stan. to prepare such orders for
the movement OF troops over railway lines,
and the transportation OF material from
depots and garrisons to the probable place
OF mobilization as will be required by the
number Of troops called at any given time
The medical department will prepare or
ders for the movement OF the hospital corps
and the Transmission Of field hospitals and
medicines to the front
Qualifications for the stan.
These are the non-miIitary features OF
war, but without them the military features
would be Impossible. The German mill
tary stan is exceedingly militant in its
military features. but in the non-military
features it has little to do with things
military. The commissary general, OF ON.
Ger OF similar grade, is not expected 10 be
a taetician, or student OF military affairs
but he is expected to know to an oune,
how much food a man requires under any
condition and to have that food ready fol
the man when Il is needed. The chile.
OF the quartermaster's department is IL
a similar position. He is not required Il
know the orders necessary TO form a hol.
low square. but he Is required to know
the orders necessary TO get food TO CAM
to nh hollow stomach. and not only Il
know the orders but how to carry then
out. IL matters not that the surgeoI
should be unable to tell the difference be
Utween a brigade front and a column
of fours." but Is decidedly essential tha
he should know the effectiveness Of hi
hospital corps and how they can best b
handled when needed.
These are the things which the genera
stan Of the army Is to take under con