Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-30
UNITED STATES ARMY
Has No Chief Of Staff As Chatfee's
Term Has Expired.

WASHINGTON, March 29.-Is Lieut..
Gen. Chaf1ee chief of STAFF? This ques-
ton was sprung on the war depart
mept. Tuesday. and army officers were
startled upon being confronted with
sections of the army regulations which
declare that the term for which Lieut..
Gen. Chaffee was detailed as chief OF
staff expired on March 5.
The army regulations have all the
force of statutory law in the govern
ment of the army. They are usually
adhered t. with the greatest rigidness.
and their violation subjects offenders
to trial by Courtnartial.
The assignment of Gen. Chaffee to be
chief of staff does not permit him to
continue that Office until his successor
shall be designated. The law provides
that the detail shall continue only dur
ing the term of the President by whom
il was made. AS consequence. Gen.
Chaffee ceased to be chief of staff on
the 5th day of March. and all his acts
as chief Of staff since that date may
be called into question.
Under the act of Feb. IA, 1903. the
command of the army rests with the
er-i,i-chief AS matter of fact and of
law. the command has always been
lodged with the President as constitu-
tional n-chief. but prior 10
the passage of the act of February
1909. there was constant friction De-
tween the senior general of the army
and the secretary of war on that point.
The act of 1903 was designed to ter
inmate that condition of affairs. undef
the act a staff corps is created. ana
the President designates a chlel VI
staff, who may be selected from ,he
army at large. not below the sraue vi
brieadier general. Upon the retirei'ieh.
of Lieut.. Gen. Young. VINO was 'l'e'
of staff, Gen. Chaffee was advanced l"
the grade of lieutenant general ana
designated as chief of staff by PreSi-
dent Roosevelt.
Army regulations declare that THE
successful performance of the duties OF
the position. chief of staff. requires
what the title ,lenotes-a relation OF
absolute confidence and personal ac-
cord and sympathy between the chief
of staff and the President. and neces-
sarily also between the chief of staff
reason, without any reflection what
ever on the officer detailed the detail
will in every case cease. unless sooner
terminated, on the day following the
expiration OF the term of office of the
President by whom the detail is made.
Under this mandate Gen. Chaffee
ceased to be chief of staff on March
:. TINS provision has been overlooked
by the war department authorities.
Failure to provide for the succession
may lead to annoying conditions. and
perhaps protracted and expensive liti-
CATION growing out of the acts per
formed by Lieut.. Gen. Chaffee rs chief
of staff since March 5, when he ceased
legally to hold that office.
Supervisory power is vested in the
chief of staff by the act of February
1903, pertaining to the command, train
ing and discipline of the army, the
distribution OF troops. armament. forti-
fcations and the like. and it is not at
all improbable that parties who may
| feel aggrieved by acts of the chief OF
staff since March 5. will raise ques-
ton in court as to their legality. 1t Is
reasOnab billy certain that when the at
tention Of the President is directed to
the, oversight in not again detailing
Gen, Chaffce to be chief of staff the
omission will be corrected.