The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-12

ius affair Of 1873. in the Gillian embrogio
of 1891. in the Venezuelan excitement OF 1872
and at the outbreak of the recent war with
Spain. there was no well digested plan OF
action. and under our system, or, rather
lack OF system, no one could be held re-
sponsible for this want of preparation.
Had general staff been part of our sys-
TEN. on the declaration of war with Spain
there would have been no uncertainty as
to the, part which the navy was expected
to perform. Complete war plans would have
been prepared and filed in the Navy De
partment, corrected to date and ready for
instant use.
These plans would have included the sew
eral probable movements of the enemy and
the proper disposition of our forces to
meet them both in attack and defense, as
we'll as suggestions for the interruption of
his communications and supplies; likewise
information for the bureaus as to the needs
Of the fleet in the matter Of supplies and
their distribution. arrangements for the
buying and chartering of auxiliary vessels
and directions for putting the naval dis
The efficiency anG fighting power of the
fleet being the only real objects for which
the naval establishment is maintained, 1t
IL most important that the system of con-
concentration of intelligence and that 1t
should be so organized as to apply this in
advantage for the fleet. In a word. what
Is wanted is group OF officers to consti-
tute big central brain. located In Wash
ment and the most highly trained expert
ence IN the service. which shall address all
or It's wisdom and energy to promoting the
interests of our forces af1oat.
The general stan will have no more pow
er than is now exercised by all the present
heads OF bureaus, but the authority will be
act Subject to the Secretary in concert
and harmony under the direction of a rec
og T,,2s ,, and resHPonsble chief.
OF the fieet-i. e., of all war vessels in COM
mission and on the seas-and under him
will be the officers in charge of the var-
OF Work Rhere M be ehs see
tellgence: the war-college section. the
the section Of the fleet.
CHANGING THE PERSONNEL.
The heads of the sections. with the Chief
OF Staff, will constitute the General Coun-
Gil Of the Navy. whose business It will be
to furnish advice to the Secretary on all i'm
portant subjects relating to the fleet. to
critiGise and perfect plans of campaign and
to discuss matters Of strategical interest
and naval policy.
This will be a deliberative body, with
functions much the same as those possessed
nee ansea te but
General Board is a creation of the Secre-
tary of the Navy.
constantly changing. Officers newly de-
tached from 1t will be assigned to sea duty
and will be in position to lend valuable
advisory aid to commanders of ships and
squadrons.
On the ether hand, officers who have COM
pleted their tours at sea will 60 to the Cen
eral Stan fresh from the study of strategy
and tactics and full of information that will
be useful in the making of war plans and in
promoting the efficiency of the fleet. 1t is
a curious fact that in the whole history Of
our Navy Department the important duty
of making war plans has never been sys-
tematically undertaken by any division Of
the Department. neglect which could not
fail to put Uncle Sam at a tremendous dis
advantage whenever an outbreak of hostil-
tiles threatened.
Henceforth, 1t is hoped. things will be
managed differently and more wisely. Be
sides assuming responsibility for the or
ganiZation, training and discipline of off,
GERS and men. the General staff will advise
and recommend the numbers and types of
fighting ships to, be built in the future.
with the details of construction
1t will strive by frequent consultation
with army chiefs to bring about full and
cordial cooperation of the two services.
and. in short. will leave nothing undone
that can contribute to our prospects of sue
cess in case Of the arrival Of that unlocked
for and undesired. but always possible.
eyent-a quarrel with a foreign Power.