New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-26
NAVAL ORGANIZATION.

The opposition TO the plan for creating by act
d Congress a general staff OF the navy,
whether originally formidable or not, seems TO
be diminishing as evidence of the care and sin
cerjty OF its responsible advocates multiplies.
From the first, the assumption that the pro-
posal was inspired by motives Of personal am
biion or a professional desire TO subordinate
the civil authority entirely lacked reasonable
support and there has been no sufficient ground
Tor the more respectable objection that the mat
ter was being urged without due deliberaton.
Secretary Moody in MS annual report expressly
declined 70 commit himself TO any particular
scheme % department reorganization, while
earnestly recommending a thoughtful considera-
ton OF the whole subject by Congress. That
AR. Moody. however Is convinced that the pres
ent system IS seriously defective clearly appears
from the following impressive passage in his re-
port:
Tie spirit OF Our institutions requires that the
military power shall be and remain in strict
BUoordinat!On 70 the civil power Accordn gly
the Secretary OF the Navy has been. and win be
- - -e----' a N-fAilaL WIN lllS ColhS0HeIls
inevitable limitations Of knowledge. Although
the Navy Department IS in an important aspect
an industrial establishment. IN which ships
built AID repaired and armament and equip
uneDt maEufsc tured. It must not be forgotten
that the final purpose OF its existence IS mill
tsry, and that all business which = transa cited
n-ent Of effective power upon the sea.
II rs therefore vitality important that there
should be available TO the civilian head OF the
department the most accurate military informa-
ton aid the best military advice. Without both
he would be sure TO commit grave errors which
uight lead TO disastrous results. Moreover, no
matter how sufficient the military Information
ray be, or how many may be the officers Of the
nav capable OF giving sound advice. II the in
formation and advice are scattered throughout
the bureaus and in the naval service. and reach
the Secretary only by a happy accident. they
VIII never be effective for the guidance either OF
the national administration or the represent
Et.Fes OF the people IN Congress. upon whose &C
ton ultimately the efficiency Of the navy must
depend. IN such n case there would be mower
without knowledge Ia one place and knowledge
without power In another place. The knowledge
should be available 20 those who nave the
power 70 act, that the power nsy be exer-
cisco with intelligence. To a system which docs
not accomplish such q result he who NAV ba 5u
power and charged with responsibility IN time
q trial viii fail a victim
1he President IN his Message, referring 10 the
same subject, was somewhat more explicit Eay-
Ing; we need the esta adjustment by law of
body of trained off;cers who shall exercise n
systematic control OF the military affairs OF the
navy, and be authorized advisers Of the Sacre
t-fg concerning f." But the President had no
oehn-te plan 10 commend 10 Congress. and sInoi
iAr caution has characterized the utteranceS of
M ~ao have been officially called on 10 give
thelr opinions. Rear Admiral Taylor. Chias NJ
the Bureau Of Navigation who has nrobotI,
ttnased the question more deeply than any ot,,o,.
49, d the navy read paper last weak be-
iore me Army and Navy Club in which Ia O.
.oe-oel "lta his customary precision OF state
Aens the advantages which he bellsve. tts