The Washington herald., 1907-12-28

Inc Oh
That the command of the army Of the
United States is 10 fall in due course of
time to the lot of Gen. Leonard Wood.
physician and surgeon. is as sure as is
any future human event True. this state
OF affairs was not brought about with
out lively tussle with the subordinate
powers that be, but IT was consummated,
nevertheless, quite as certainly as have
other no less startling innovations been
reduced to regular and orderly fact by
the President
It now appears that our military medi-
cal friends have succeeded in inserting
an entering wedge into the affairs of the
navy-they sometimes insert wedges as
well as scalpels-not heretofore concern
ing them. the ultimate result OF which
may not be improperly or illogically rea-
soned out along parallel lines Of thought
with those marking the progress in the
army of that medical man first above
mentioned Nothing is impossible in the
strenuous philosophy Of this day and
time, and the ifs. ands, butts, why's. and
wherefores once rendering such a state
of things unthinkable now may be waved
aside as mere details fully capable OF
adjustment to the needs OF the moment
at headquarters.
To the ordinary layman it would seem
that such a policy, If worth inaugurating
at all. is worth inaugurating auspi-
ciously; hence we find no objection to the
| logic which places in command Of a
/ nj
that his naval training has not fitted him
for the duties incident to the navigation
Of a ship would appear. TO he sure, as
something rather TO his disadvantage in
certain emergencies. This may be rem
edied by having all hospital ships in the
future fitted out with machinery that
may be managed and guided by Latin
prescriptions. and so constructed that
they may be held to a proper course
when at sea through the use OF antiseptic
bandages and wooden legs.
Having recognized instantly the force
Of the idea that places doctor on the
bridge of a hospital ship. why may We
not move along similar lines I'm other
departments? Surely no one will make
bold to dispute when we suggest a vet
Urinary surgeon as a proper officer to
command the horse marines! To be sure
being something OF land-lubber. we are
not exactly clear in our minds as 10 the
precise status of a horse-marine In the
navy. but that a Rough Rider horse
doctor for instance. would find out and
place him upon such footing as his de-
serts indicate we have no doubt.
We merely mention these matters in
order that carping critics may pause
and consider we'll their words before pro
ceeding further with adverse comment
about new departures In the navy. There
is reason for everything A certain
Mikado Of Japan acessesseu or Gilbert
and Sullivan, was pOsS DUt one
central idea in administering the affair,
of his empire-that Of preserving tn,
eternal fitness Of things. One phase O.
this policy his majesty beautifully ex
pressed thus:
My object all sublime
I shall achieve in time:
To let the punishment IT the crime.
The punishment tit the crime"
Naturally, we reason that this NIikadC
would have desired admiral-doctors il
charge Of his hospital ships and veteri
nary surgeons in charge of his horse
marines. And if this honorable ancestor
OF the present ruler Of the Land of tn,
Plum Blossom should have so viewed
things, why should the chief benefciar,
in the present American naval crisis b,
estopped from quoting in justification o.
his promotion the practices of the presen
Mikado?
Indeed. it is more or less Of a pity tina
Gilbert and Sullivan. who preserved I,
us the records in certain ancient emer
gencies noted herein, are not both aiiv,
, and doing team work to-day, in oree
that the present situation might b.
J properly embalmed in song and story.
No other enemy being in sight for III