Evening star., 1909-05-23
Criticism Of General staff.

Criticism Of General Staff.
When he returns to Washington from
his trip to the Isthmus of Panama, Secre-
tary Dickinson may find 1t necessary to
take some action which shall restrict the
operations of the general staff. His at
tention will be called to certain repre-
sentations which have reached the War
Department from officers in command OF
military departments. Some of these OF
ficers have asserted that their proper
functions In the command of troops with
In their geographical jurisdiction nave
been usurped by the general staf
This appropriation of the duties OF de-
partment commanders, for the most part
has taken the form of issuing orders In
detail concerning the movements or
troops. Hitherto, when ii has been nee
essary to detail regiments Or parts OF
regiments for temporary duty at some
particular place within the limits or
military department the selection of the
troops and the details of the movements
have been left to the department COM
mander. 1t has always been held that
that officer knew all there was to Know
concerning the methods of transfer. Late
ly. however, it is asserted, the general
staff has undertaken to give instructions
in detail. even to the articles TO be car
ried by the individual troops.
That state of affairs has caused crltl-
cism on the part of some of the de-
partment commanders Objection Is
based mainly on the theory that such
orders coming from the general stan
generally originate with subordlnate
members of that body, mostly officers
OF the rank of captain. who cannot be
expected to have had the experience or
a department commander, who Is
brigader general or a major general
Aside from that feature. however. the
officers In command of military depart
ments believe their duties should not
.t1> ~; Il 1nCC
they make known their objections the
general staff may take additional func-
tions to itself.
The feeling against the general staff
may lead to some interesting questions
In the House and Senate military COM
mittees at the next regular session OF
Congress, especially when those commit
tees reach the items for the support and
maintenance of the staff and the Army
War College. Certain members of Con-
gress feel that the general staff has un-
dertaken too much legislation There
will probably be objection to the project
now under discussion, which seeks to
increase the army from eighty-five thou
sand. the present enlisted strength, to
one hundred and thirty-five thousand
men. That would mean an additional
annual expense for the military estab-
lishment of $50. 100000.
Members of the general staff say that
most of these criticisms of the general
staff corps have no real foundation. 1t
is asserted that they are nothing but the
inevitable jealousy resulting from the
curtailment of the power of certain out
side officers. The statement that the gem
eral staff has uSurped the functions of de-
partment commanders or bureau chiefs
is denied. The charge that orders issued
by the general staff emanate from the
junior officers. with only the perfunctory
approval of some senior officers. is also
denied. The general statement is made
that since the organization of the general
staff the tendency has been to give
greater latitude to commanding officers.
and furthermore. that since that time
broader sympathy with the needs and
purposes of the line of the army has pre-
vailed.
Officers Ordered to Exercise.
Systematic exercise is enjoined by Maj.
Gen. Wood, commanding the Department
of the East, on all the officers on duty
in that department, which includes in its
boundaries Fort Myer, Washington bar
racks and the posts on the Potomac river.
1t is absolutely necessary says Gen.
Wood, in a general order, that all Of
f:cers shall take an amount of exercise
sufficient to keep them in exO.llent physi-
cal condition, especially those who have
no opportunity to be out with the troops.
II is expected that those who exercise
with the troops get sufficient in that way.
Others not SO fortunate must find other
fencing. hill climbing, rowing,
etc. can easily be had. Brisk exercise,
whether on foot or on horseback, before
office hours in the early morning, will
make the days Office work seem much
lighter. An officer failing to take the
exercise prescribed will report the fact
to his commanding officer. verbally or
otherwise, as the latter may direct, before
Sunday evening. Commanding officers
will take the necessary corrective meas
ures.''
Vacancies in Marine Corps.
There are about thirty vacancies in the
grade of second lieutenant In the United
States Marine Corps. Orders have been
issued for board of Marine Corps OFF,
GERS to convene at the marine barracks in
this city June % for the examination of
the designated candidates. The number
of candidates is very large, and the desig-
nations for the examination are now be-
ing made by Assistant Secretary VIM
throp.
Five More Destroyers.
Bids will be opened al the Navy Depart
ment next Saturday for the construction
of five torpedo boat destroyers. There has
been. if anything. more than ordinary in
terest in these craft. and it is expected
that the bidding will be spirited. Prob
ably all the boats will be constructed on
the Atlantic coast Bidders may present
alternate bids respecting the machinery
for the boat. The lines of the vessel. 1t Is
stated must be In accordance with the
departments specifications, except in so
far as minor notifications are necessary
TO permit the installation of the bidders
design of motive power. The boats will
burn oil.
Service Practice by Local Companies.
BY order of Gen. Wood, commanding
the Department OF the East, the service
practice Of Coast Artillery companies in
this vicinity will take place at Fort Mon
roe Va, according to the following sched-
uie: Company Al. at Fort Hunt, Va, and
Companies A. and 1O4. at Fort Washing
ton, Md, from July to July 20. Com
panies ~ and 143, at Fort Washington,
from August 3 TO August -.
Naval Academy Graduation.
The graduation of the members of the
first class at the Naval Academy will take
place this year June 4, upon which occa-
sion it is hoped to have President Taft
present the diplomas. There are 1Ij men,
bers Of this class and 1t Is estimated
that about 100 will be graduated.
The Navy Department is receiving the
reports of the physical examination of
midshipmen, with the result that most or
those who are reported as defective in d
minor way have been authorized TO con-
tinue pending subsequent examination
by the surgeons.
Statue of American Indian.
Maj Clarence w. Smith, commissary.