New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-02
ATTACK GARRISON IDEAS.
Army Officers Object to Way OF
Choosing Brigadiers.
From The Tribune Bureau.
Washington. NoVembe

/
GERS over the method adopted by Secretary
Garrison and approved by the President
for the selection Of officers for the posi-
| ton of brigader general. When MI. 1''r-
rison entered the Cabinet he determined
that there should be no political pressure
applied with success at the war Depart
ment or the White House respecting new
brigadiers. He adopted the plan OF nav
ing the general officers on the actlVe iis'
express their views of the relative merits
of colonies.
IT was expected that this would lead 10
the Identification of officers best quaiineo
for the appointment. 1t was also pe-
lieved that army officers, who have hlth-
erto complained much concerning the en-
ployment of political influence In makiie
these appointments, would be satlsheu
On the contrary, not only are Senators
and Representatives displeased because
their suggestions regarding candidates
for vacant brigadierships are sheiVeu
with no more attention than an inolVlduai
rebuke administered by the Secretary Oh
War, but army officers are now hndlns
fault because the method OF selection il
subject to the influence OF personal pref
erences or prejudices. with an entire lack
of consideration for the proper proportion
Of general officers between the various
arms of the service.
AS for the infantry, it is pointed out
that the last four vacancies in the grade
of brigadier general were created by the
retirements of former infantry officers
and their places have been filed by three
officers Of the coast artillery and one
from the field artillery. According TO the
infantry calculations, the existing brlga-
diers are derived from arms in way TO
show that the infantry is four short OF
the officers IL should have, the cavalry
two ahead, the field artillery one ahead
and the coast artillery one ahead OF their
proper proportion.
The situation is being discussed by offi-
GERS everywhere, and there has been re-
vival of the suggestion that an effort be
made 10 obtain a chief of infantry who
shall he stationed in Washington as rep
resentative charged with the care of in
tantry interests. as is the chief Of coast
artillery woth those of that arm.
In other respects, it is maintained that
the ballot of the general officers is not
productive of the best results in deter
mining the Candidates best qualified for
appointment as a brigadier general. II is
now found that quite as much dissatis-
faction exists over the new method Of Sc
lection as ever prevailed in the old days
when politics was considered TO have
controlled the situation. Complaints are
the more emphatic beca use the President
evidently believes the system should be
permanently installed. as he has ex-
pressed himself to the Senator'S who have
discussed the subject with him.
INCREASE IN ARMY SoUGHT.-The
infantry arm OF the service has asked the
Secretary of War for an army of ll5,0C0
men, the necessity for the increase being
set forth n detail by The Infantry Jour
nal"
Such an increase, IL is urged would per-
nit formation within the United States OF
a mobile army Of three infantry divisions
Of twenty-seven regiments, one cavalry
division of twelve regiments and seven
regiments of field artillery. This increase
also contempates increasing the number
to 100; the former is at present the mini
mum on peace footing. 1t is asserted
that in time of emergency when compa-
MES are raised to the war strength of 100
men the addition OF SO many unframed
men destroys the efficiency of the troops
and prevents their prompt employment
just at time when they are most needed
Besides the smaller number prevents the
proper training of men and officers
On the basis OF the proposed increase
the mobile army, exclusive OF the coast
artillery and troops serving beyond seas.
would consist OF 5000 infantry 1880 c0v-
airy, 5,A0 field artillery and 200 auxiliary
troops, total OF $500 men. or an en-
listed man to every LOO population
1t shows that the strength of mobile
armies in other countries. compared to
the population. is as follows: Great Brit-
ain. 10 every %; Germany, l 10 every 20:
France, 10 every 80: Russia. ] 10 every
1870. and Japan, / TO every $50.
Prior to the Spanish-American War this
country maintained an army of $500
men, comprising IS regiments of infantry.
10 of cavalry and OF coast artillery. Or
10000 men. The outbreak OF the war with
Spain found this force so badly. organized
and numerically SO weak az to be inef-
fective, and as a consequence in April,
just before the declaration of war. legis-
laton was hastily enacted by Congress to
reorGaniZe and increase il.
ORDERS ISSUED.-The following army
and navy orders have been issued.
ARMY.
ment announced to take effect January 3
TO home.
Colonel CHARLES H. HUNTER, coast ar
tillery. is retired, TO home.
Following assignments, officers infantry arm
recently promoted, announced Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel TREDWELL W.
MOORE and Major EDWARD SIGER- |
ZOOS 9Th Infantry; Captain WILLIAM :.
NEELEl unassigned: First Lieutenant
STANLEY l. JAMES. 2sth Infantry.
Major BEECHER II. RAY, quartermaster
corps assume temporary charge Chicago
general depot, quartermaster corps during |
absence on leave, Captain ROY 3 HARP
Err. quartermaster corps
First Lieutenant BENJAMIN F. MCLEI- |
Ian, relieved from 2Sth Infantry
First Lieutenant FRED e. WALLACE Ord |
nance Department (second lieutenant field |
artillery. from detail Ordnance Depart |
ment; assigned I'd Field Artillery. |
second Lieutenant EARL H. COYLE l3,h
EIJRO[