New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-22

We have brought our navy 20 a high state OF
efhclency and have exercised both army ana
navy in the methods OF seaCoast defence Th.
joint army and navy board has been bringing
the two services together in good UNDERSTANDING.
and the common study OF the strategy the prep
aFatlon anc the cooperation which Will make
them effective in time OF need. Our ships have
been exercised in fleet and squadron movements
nave been improved In craftsmanship and mo-
bility. and have been constantly tested by use
Since the last national convention met We hava
completed and added to cur navy five battle
ships four cruisers. four monitors. thirty-four
torpedo destroyers and torpedo boats while we
have put under construction thirteen battIeships
and thirteen cruisers.
Four years ago our army numbered over 100
coo men-regulars and volunteers-75 per cent
OF them in the Philippines and China Under
the operation OF statutes limiting the period OF
and insufficient number of ~, 600 and its old
and insufficient organization under the practical
control or permanent STAFF departments at
Washington. with the same divisions of counsel
and lack or co-Ordlnating and directing power
at the head that led TO confusion and scandal
IN the war with SPAIN During the last four
years the lessons taught by that war have re-
ceived practical effect. The teachings OF Sher-
man and or Upton have been recalled and re-
spected- Congress has fixed a maximum OF the
army at lOOOOO and minimum at 10000 so
that maintaining only the minimum in peace, as
We now do, when war threatens the President
may begin preparation by filing the ranks TO
the maximum without waiting until after war
has begun as he had to wait in 1898. Perma-
nent staff appointments have been changed TO
details from the line, with compulsory returns
at fixed intervals TO service with troops so that
the requirements Of the field and the camp
rather than the requirements of the Office desk
shall control the departments OF administration
and supply. corps organization has been pro-
vided for our artillery with a chief Of artillery
at the head. so that there may be intelligent
use Of our costly seacoast defences. Under the
Act OF February ii. 1903. a General staff has
been established, organized 10 suit American
conditions and requirements and adequate for
the performance Of the long neglected but all
important duties of directing military education
and training, and applying the most advanced
principles OF military science TO that necessary
preparation for war which IS the surest safe
guard of peace. The command OF the army now
rests where 1t is placed by the Constitution
in the President. His power is exercised through
military chief of staff, pledged by the cOnd-
tions and tenure OF his office TO confidence and
loyalty TO his commander Thus civilian con-
troll OF the military arm, upon which must
always insist. is reconciled with that military
efficiency which be obtained only under the
direction OF the trained military expert
MILITIA MADE EFFECTIVE.
Four years ago were living under Oh
soete militia law more than a century old
which Washington and Jefferson and Madison,