New-York tribune., 1907-12-06
SEVERE ARMY TESTS.
PRESIDENTS NEW ORDER.
Long Practice Marches Required
Nay Cause Many Retirements.

Washington, Dec 5.-The War Department to-day
published general order, issued by the President.
greatly extending his original order relative to rid
ing tests of officers of the army. The President
now requires every field officer to make daily prac-
tice marches of not less than thirty miles for three
days in succession each year. AL officers are also
required to accompany their commands on the
monthly practice marches.
The advanced stand taken by the President in re-
gard to physical tests of the condition of officers
in the face of strong pressure commercial bodies
throughout the country in favor of the retention
in service of engineer and other staff officers who.
though perfectly competent to discharge their Or
dinary duties would probably be unable to respond
TO the demands of active campaign service, has
filed with apprehension a number of the senior
officers OF the grades between captain and colonel
inclusive. Because the President in his final letter
directing the riding test referred only to line Off
GERS. it believed in some quarters that he
might be willing waive the application of such
q test to staff officers whose duties in time oil
peace do not carry them into the field In his
recent message to Congress the President Indicated
however a contrary purpose, and the order pub
lished to-day exceeds in severity the test originally
proposed, and will probably be the means OF cauS-
ing the summary retirement from the army OF d
considerable number Of officers. 1t is said at the
War Departm that the tests recently conducted
not altogether satisfactory to the department.
because of the lack of uniformity in the methods
adopted by the different department commanders III
conducting the rides. In some cases automobiles
were used pacemakerS; i'll others the oflcers
were allowed ride alone and at their own con-
venience the time and place; some tests were
made smooth beach boards and others over
rough and ally country altogether the indvld-
ual officers Jared differently according to the place
where the was held Tho text of the order
published to-day is follows:
The White House,
Washington. December :. 1SV'
To the Secretary Of War:
desire due notice given to all officers concerned
that hereafter suitable physical test to determine Inc
be made OF all field officers of the army, under
such regulations you may prescribe a suffi-
occurring in the fall of each year. might be taken
advantage Of TO test the ability of all field officers
march OF not less than thirty miles for three days
in succession. under conditions suitable 10 the
tions- Tests suitable TO the character of service
required of them should also be prescribed for
field officers of seacoast artillery.
Annual reports should also be required under
such conditions as will insure accuracy and thor
oUghness. upon every Junior officer of the army.
setting forth whether physically qualihed for active
Except when excused by higher authority. all Of
fcers should accompany their commands on the
required. naming in every any who are
able fail to do So fall out the march.
of all officers found not qualified physically for
1t is just as much the duty of all officers OF the
army 10 adopt such measures and pursue such
habits will maintain physical condition 1T for
active service TO cultivate their minds 70 fitting
themselves for the intellectual duties OF their pro-
fession-
| should also like as much encouragement given
10 the cultivation Of horsemanship in the army
TO have many facilities OF riding horseback
possible afforded to infantry captains on govern
Tnent horses until they have been made mounted
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.