Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-14
BELL CHIEF OF STAFF
Transfer of Functions at the
War Department.
FAREWELL TAKEN OF BATES
Assemblage of All His Recent As
sociates.
TRIBUTE TO RETIRING OFFICIAL
More Feeling Displayed Than is Gus
tomary In Military Affairs
of the Kind.
TRIBUTE TO RETIRING OFFICIAL

Important changes took place In the
army at noon today. Lieut.. Gen. John C.
Bates, chief Of staff, was placed on the re-
tired list on account of age. He was sue
ceeded as lieutenant general by Maj. Gen.
Henry @. Corbin, commanding the northern
division at St. Louis, and as chief of staff
at the War Department by Brig. Gen. j.
Franklin Bell, recently in charge of the
Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan
Gen. Corbin is transferred from the staff to
the line. His appointment as lieutenant
general therefore makes no vacancy in the
list of major generals of the line. In ac-
cordance with special legislation, the office
of adjutant general, held by Gen. Corbin,
expires when he vacates 1T.
Although Gen. Corbin succeeds to the
highest rank In the army, Gen. Bell, as
chief of staff, succeeds to the highest COM
mand, and, In the regular routine of Off
cial business, will issue orders to all officers
of the army, including his superiors in rank
namely, Lieut.. Gen. Corbin and Maj. Gems
Macarthur, Wade, Wood, Weston, Grant
Greedy and AZ worth, all of whom, with
the exception OF Ainsworth, are In COM
mand OF military division or departments
Gen. Corbin could have been chief of staff
If he had chosen, but he declined the
proffered honor on account of his early re-
tirement ana the impaired state of his
health.
The Transfer Of Office.
Gen. Bell was inducted into office at the
War Department at noon today quietly and
without special ceremony. During the fore
noon most of the officers on duty In the
department called on Gen. Bates and took
official leave and later paid their respects
to Gen Bell, the new official head of the
army When the clock struck IL, Gen
at n INynr n Ion a w "a q
standing with a group of friends, and es-
corted him to the chair at the desk he had
just vacated, and was then first to offer
congra tulations and best wishes for his
administration.
The actual change in the office of chief
of staff was attended with more feeling
than is customary in military affairs OF
that kind. owing to the great personal pop
ularity of the retiring officer
Gen. Bells Feeling Tribute.
On assuming his new duties Gen. Bell
made an address to Gen. Bates, in which
he said:
Because some men accumulate with ad-
vancing years only weaknesses and in
firnities. our government has fixed upon
an age at which all officers are required to
cease connection with the active manage
ment of army affairs yet, because there
are others who acquire with age and ex-
perience only wisdom and strength. we
frequently feel the loss which their retire.
ment entails upon the army.
Some men in accomplishing their pur-
poses rely largely upon the rod In dealing
with subordinates, while others mingie a
maximum amount of kindly consideration
with judicious firmness, thus arousing am
bition in the weak and afording encourage
ment to the timid. For some men we have
only the feeling we entertain for tyrants,
while others manage to inspire not only
fear Of their disapprovaI. but also love and
respect Some strong, able men are unap-
proachable; there are others whom tho
youngest approach without hesitation, yet
whose strength and ability are doubted by
none.
''Some men when confronted by difficulties
and danger Immediately lose heart, con-
vinced they are greater than they really
are, and allow their minds to dwell exclu-
siyeiy on possible Ill results and ultimate
consequences. Such men are easily un-
nerved by a sense OF great responsibility. II
not by considerations of more personal
character. There are others whose tenacity
OF purpose is never affected by dii11cultia6
and who never turn their faces or thoughts
away from q foe.
1T Is fortunate privilege to retire, con-
scious of life OF industry and rectitude.
after career OF marked success, to wefl-
earned reward OF rest. at peace with al