Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
WORK FOR GENERAL STAFF
What the New Army Board Has for It,
Immediate Consideration.
GERMAN METHOD ADOPTED BY UNCLE SAM
War VIII Have TO Hurry ~ ~ Catches
h American Army Unpre-
pared for It's Varied
Phases.

mat the United states Is a world power
an4 will in future experience all OF the
dangers as we'll as all OF the glory which
is part Of such a position was realized by
tho people at the head OF the War depart
ment and the army Of the United States
when they began the agitation which re-
suited in the creation Of the general stan
Of the army. The term general stan does
not mean much to the person who is un-
familiar with the formation Of the armies
OF Hnrope. The officers OF the army above
the rank OF major have had personal STATS
ever since the organization Of the army.
The Regular stan Of the army, consisting OF
the ofhcers who have charge OF certain
duties not actually connected with the
army in battle, has been a part OF the or
ganieation since its inception. These on
GERS devote their time to matters Of sup
plying the troops with clothing, as in the
ouartermaster's department, or with food.
as in the commlssary's department; with
medical attendance and with the inspection
of troops, as we'll as making reports upon
their effectiveness and other work which is
to a great degree clerical or technical with
a technology other than that purely mill
tary.
Bad system Inherited.
The regular establishment of the army OF
the United States wa. Inherited, like our
common law and many other things good,
bad and Indifferent, from the English, and
in consequence the establishment was
purely military. Each othcer is drilled at
this time with special reference to the
command Of troops and their maneuveTs
upon the field Of battle. After he has grad
uated from the Military academy he enters
the line, and after serving there for a
1A--z- -. u1a-N.- e., ~ kn tnan1-
Aerred, either temporarily or permanently,
the staff, where he is expected to learn
THE duties of his ONCE while practlcing
them. He, in times OF peace, usually de-
ponds upon some old sergeant who has been
through the mill under a dozen or more on
GERS, and in reality learns little or nothing
of the duties, so that when the time comes
Tor him to act-to prepare men for a cam
paign-he is almost helpless. This is said
with no spirit Of criticism. but is generally
admitted by officers Of the army and per-
sons familiar with the conditions. 1t is not
the fault OF the officers. but Of the system
Ia system. by the way, which was first
permanently Installed In the regular army
when General Greene accepted the position
OF commissary general in the army of Gen
eral Washington with the understanding
that be was to be given a command as soon
AS MS btENlOto AuAbhN y % ACHoASN' rs "a
fects were last felt In the Spanish war.
when carloads Of perishable goods were
rendered worthless because they could not
be sent to the troops who required them.
German Method Adopted.
The general staff is intended to correct
all these evils. For the American army
has departed from the English system of
organization and has taken the German as
Its example, hoping to make some improve
ments in the course Of time upon that sys-
TEN, which is said to be the most complete
in Europe. The German system was the
favorite idea of Field Marshal Won Moltke.
who was for years the chief Of STAFF of the
German army. The object Of the general
STAFF can be shown in the fewest words by
relating an incident which has passed into
tradition in the armies OF the world. 1t is
related that one evening word was brought
to Won Moltke that the French had declared
the war which lasted until the surrender OF
Paris. The veteran chief Of stan, who had
been one Of the men VIII formed the German
empire, without changing countenance
said: Take the papers from drawer 81
When drawer % was opened it was found
that II contained orders which we're imme-
diately issued for the OF the
German army, placing the troops in the
hhf ohNobNpNe RN0A
invasion and TO make aggressive move
1Aents. 1t is said that every general order
Bsued for the first thirty days OF the war
ckmmanding the movement of troops was
found in the drawer at the time Won MoltkG
had 1t opened.
Must Prepare for War.
So this is to be the duty Of the genera
stan OF tho army Of the United States. II
is. in times OF peace, to prepare for war
and to make plans which may be put int
immediate effect in case of war with any o.
Vhe nations which may make trouble for thi'
JRountry. There are a large lumber OF ma.
d%ons which may in time come Il
blows with the United States. as the inter
ests of the country expand. but there ar
hut few which would offer any serious prob
lem. and while we are on the best of term
with all of these nations at this time, II !
more than suspected in army circles tina
there is another drawer in the cabinet o
Emperor William. with other orders pre-
pared, and It would not be surprising thai