New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
ARMY TRANSFERS
AMAZE OFFICERS
Details of Generals Barry and
Carter Decided Surprise to
All Concerned.
From The Tribune Bureau.

| IRON Inc tribune bureau
Washington, Dec. 20.-The transfer o.
( Major General Thomas H. Barry from
| command of the Eastern Department tC
command OF the troops in the Philippines
| and OF Major General William III. Carter
| from command of the I'd Division a
| Texas City to command in Hawaii Is thu
cause of much amazement and specula
| tion in army circles.
These assignments came as a decided
surprise to Generals Barry and Carter
| both Of whom have been prominently
mentioned to succeed General Wood as
! chief Of staff and both Of whom com
mand much influence. General Barry has
been urged on the President for chief oil
staff by Senator O'Gorman, OF New York
while General Carter's backing included
Senator Chamberlain, chairman OF the
Senate Military Committee, and Senator
Luke Lea, of Tennessee.
Secretary Garrison has publicly an
nounced his determination not to receive
d.ctation concerning the selection OF a
chief OF staff, but it so happens that the
Secretary of War. under the law, has
, office. That is e matter which rests en-
tirely with the President, and was so ar
ranged b. statute because Of the conhden-
tal relations which must necessarily exist
between the President and his chief OF
staff.
The impression prevails among army
officers that General II. l.. Scott, one OF
gn,inr It.fpaIiar4 NJ
appointment to that grade Of President
Wilson, being the first made in his admin
istration, will sooner or later become
chief OF staff. This is not likely TO be 10
soon as next April, when General Woods
term expires, but 1t is considered a fore
gone conclusion that ultimately, and dur
ing the Wilson administration. General
Scott will be detailed chief Of staff.
In tho mean time it seems probable
that General w. w. Wotherspoon, now
assistant chief OF staff will succeed Cen
eral Wood, to be followed in turn by
either General T. II. Bliss or General
Scott. Should General Bliss be detailed
before General Scott, the latter probably
will he assistant chief OF staff.
Army officers will not be surprised IL
the friends OF Generals Carter and Barry
make some representations at the White
House concerning the assignment OF those
officers 20 command beyond seas. It is
represented, for example, i'm the case OF
General Barry. that he is not due for
foreign service In advance of some other
general officers. But any representations
Of that sort made To President Wilson
are likely TO be met with the rejoinder
that the assignments TO command the
troops in the Philippines and I'm Hawaii
are tho most important army billets next
20 that of chief of staff II is believed
that the President can hardly afford to
pay any attention 10 appeals which would
require 90 radical q change in the pros
poctive situation as q revocation OF the
orders TO Generals Carter and Barry.
That would mean revision Of the entire
slate and would be a slap at the war
Department which might constitute a
menace 10 army discipline.
At the same time, the orders To- Gen
erals Barry and Carter are regarded by
the friends Of those officers as their de-
libcratc elimination as candidates Tor
chief Of stan. Tho officers themselves
will take no part in any protests. and
whatever is done will be without their
knowledge or consent.
General Cartcrs friends frankly assert
that his assignment to Hawaii is with
the hope that he will apply for retire.
mont. Those who know him, however
believe that he IS too good soldier TO
oppose orders, or to seek retirement be-
cause Of any change affecting his sta
ton. General Carter will retire in NO
vember. 1915, and is too much Interested
in the army 10 seek retirement before ne
Is transferred from the active list by
operation OF law. Those army officers
therefore. who expect any sensational de-
yelopment OF his assignment probably
will be disappointed.
MOVEMENTS or .-Ihese
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