The Washington times., 1909-05-25
Next Congress Likely to In
dulge in Some Sharp
Criticism.
ROOT TO DEFEND
PRESENT REGIME
II Is Probable That the Army Will
Undergo a Complete Re
organization.
BY JOHN SNURE.

Congress is likely TO hear a good deal
next winter about the army general
staff
Talk is afloat now that the general
star is likely to be subjected to sharp
ire OF criticism. If it does not come
on the floor Of the House or Senate, It
viii doubtless be heard in the military
committees
Opposition to the general stan has
been slowly but surely increasing in
Congress. This was manifested last
winter in a movement TO reduce the
size OF it. The House Committee on Mil
itary Affairs reported in favor of such
a reduction. but Congress did not see fit
20 carry this into effect. However. the
Sentiment OF the House Committee on
Military Affairs is significant of a feel
lag that runs through much Of Con-
gress and at no distant date is likely to
come to a head with serious results to
thu stan and the Army War College.
Last winter, the situation was such that
the President felt it necessary to call in
some OF his friends and make plea for
the general STAFF.
Feeling Against staff.
Tbs feeling against the general staff is
due TO various causes The question Is
constantly asked and by members of
Congress who are generally well-infOrm-
ed: What does the general staff do
anyhow"
A careful inquiry into the work Of the
general stan reveals much to it's credit
But there is a strong disposition about
Congress to consider that the general
staff lives perpetually in the higher at
mosphere Of theory and spends entirely
strictly practical. Also. there is a dis
tiRct sentiment about the Capitol that
the general staff is an institution that is
doing much to enhance the expense of
the army and is chiefly useful for evolv-
ing schemes that result in the extortion
of more money from the jeans Of Uncle
Sam, regardless Of what may be the
state Of his finances.
Too Large Now.
It is also complained that the general
staff is unnecessarily large and that
details to IL are too much a matter, not
OF merit. but OF favoritism and pull
The endless cry that comes from the
army Is that the organizations are suf-
fering from lack Of enough officers on
duty with them; that too many officers
are detailed away from their com
ulaRdS. The remedy for this from the
general stan point Of view Is 70 IN
crease largely the number Of Officers
The disposition in Congress Is to find
some way Of diminishing the number
OF officers detailed away from their
commands, and with good many Sen
atOTs and Representatives the plan Of
reducing the size of the general stan
finds favor.
Much tax is heard now that Secre-
tary OF War Dickinson win take hold
OF the general stan and restrict its
operations for the reason that the Of
ficers Of the line are beginning to pro-
test that the general STAFF IS trying TO
reach out and usurp some Of the func-
1tous relating to the command Of
troops. especially Of the commanders
Of the departments.
Wants Larger Army.
The general staff Is persistently and
naturally always insistent on increasing
the army. It IS always working out
broad and comprehensive plans for leg
isIation. Just now it is evolving a
great project for the increase Of the
army to $4,000 men. From the army
standpoint there can be adduced many
reasons why the army is too small But
10 try TO talk increase or the army
when there is q constant cry FOR econ
Omy IN expenditures generally IS
thought in many quarters 10 be any
thing but good strategy on the part OF
the general staff At any rate, Il Is
one OF the things that win be held up
against the general stan in Congress
next winter.
EIihu Root is credited with the crea-
ton of the general stan OF the army.
He viii doubtless be found one OF its
strong defenders while he IS IN the
Senate. and as he is on the Senate
Military Affairs Committee ne VIII be
in position 70 be effective. Congress
II may find Il expedient 10 put some
strict limitations on It.