Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-04
Wood May Be Chief of Staff.

Many things have occurred recently, how
over which indicate that it is not at all
certain that Gen. Wood will be stationed at
New York when he resumes military duty
IT, the United States Fer instance. he has
asked to be allowed 10 remain in command
Of the Philippines division until after Secre-
tary Taft finishes his visit to the Philip
pines next October, and it is then his in
teHtion to spend several months in Eng
land on leave of absence for purposes of
rest and recreation before resuming active
duty in the United States. His wishes in
this matter have been approved by the Sec
rotary of War As a consequence Gen.
Wood will not return to this country be-
fore next spring at the earliest. BY that
time the military situation may be entirely
changed and instead of taking the New
York command Gen. Wood may be ordered
TO Washington to assume the office and
duties of chief of staff the relief of Gen
j. Franklin Bell. who Will then have COM
p!eted term of two years.
jntH Gen. Bell was appointed the Office of
chief Of staff. which is regarded as the
most important Office in the army. was in
yariably filed by the officer of highest
rank. Lieut. Gems Young. Chaffee and
Rates held that office in succession. and
the appointment q. Gen. Bell followed the
request OF Lieut. Gen. Henry c. Corbin to
be- assigned To the command of the south
western division at s.. Louis, instead of to
the Office of chief OF staff, to which his
RANK naturally 'Ntllltl Nln- ben. Mac
Arthur succeeded Gen. Corbin as lieutenant
general. but as h" not the best of
terms with Secretary Taft. with whom 1t
seems ne had diSa greed when they were
together in the Philippines, it was deemed
best to make no change in the office OF
chief of staff for bis benefit.
Would Restore Normal Conditions
No such reasons would apply however
to the case of Ger Wood who, in addition
IN bapnfriip. yff Of . no
in active service. is a warm personal
friend of both t4e President and the Sec
rotary of War Il Is pointed out by several
army officers that the appointment of
Gen. Wood as chic. OF staff would effec-
tualy remedy the present anomalous con-
ditiOn of affairs at the War Department
due To the fact That the present adju ant
general of the army is senior to the pres
ent chief Of staff. and consequently is not
called upon TO perform the ordinary rou-
tine military duties OF his Office, except in
special cases. where he takes his orders di-
rect from the President. the Secretary of
War or the assistant secretary of war.
Under the present arrangement Adjt. Gen.
Aims worth outranks Gen. Bell. the virtual
commanding general. and does not act for
him in any capacity, all the ordinary func-
tons Of his Office being performed by a
subordinate officer n the adjutant general S
department.
With the exception OF Gems. Macarthur
and Wade. Gen. Wood is the only officer or
the army senior 10 Gen. Ainsworth and the
appointment Of Gen. Wood to the office of
chief Of staff is said to be the only way in
which the present tangle of military rank
can be Strengthened out, except in the un-
as was done in the case of Adjutant General
eral AiusWorth shall be given a line COM
mand at station outside OF washington
aas was done in the case of Adjutant Gen
Corbin when Gen. Young was appointed
chief of STAFF. That might be done to com
pliment Gen Ainsworth with an actual
command before mis- retirement, in order
To more completely I'll out his remarkable
record.