Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-29
GARRISON URGES NEED
OF A DEFINITE POLICY
Secretary of War Points to Grave I'M
portance of Its Immediate
Preparation.
MUCH GROUND TO BE COVERED
Wants Proper Exchange Of Thought
and Views Between Men at War
College and Those in Department
at Washington,

WASHINGTON. April oS-Sccretary
OF War Garrison to-day gave out an
! extract of letter he has written TO
I the president of the Army War Col
lege containing his views OF the grave
/ Importance of immediate preparation
! OF proper military policy. ''rhe time
at our disposal is all too short to do
it effectively and adequately" says the
secretary.
The extract. in full, is as follows:
There Is, in my opinion. no one sub
iect OF so great Importance before
this country at this time az the proper
military policy to he adopted by IL
and pursued as occasion permits This
policy should not only he clear COM
prehensive and scientific from a milf
tary standpoint, but ii should he point :
cd out In such a way as TO secure APP
prevail on behalf OF the citizens OF the
country.
The subject matter IL so important,
and covers 90 much ground has to be
handled with 20 much intelligence that
the time at our disposal is all too short
to do IL effectively and adequately.
intend TO devote every particle OF time
that l can usefully give TO this subject
and have all those about me who can
render aid do likewise. feel sure
that every one of us appreciates OPP
portunity to have q hand In tins great
work. 1t VIII. in any event. he some
thing OF vast and continued value to
the country: and IL adopted and made
the basis for future military consider
atoms. VIII be cpoChal In It's nature.
This country has never had n we'll
thought out, wrought out and agreed
upon military policy. This is the FIRST
opportunity within the lifetime OF
those now active to have this done.
We have the privilege of being called
upon to do IT. We should give TO IL
q Is worth 10
in us. We should work AZ IL assured
that we were TO succeed. Even II the
details arc not all accepted and made
effective. the general plan. if we'll pre-
pared, viii remain for years afterwards
as monument TO those whose labor
produced II.
Under these circumstances, wish
to ARA nrc for proper constant cX-
change OF thought and views betwee n
those working upon this subjcc; matter
at tho War College, and those here in
the department. am arranging 10
have my immediate advisers here in
constant conference with me for tho
purpose OF making suggestions. re.
CeivinT suggestions. and transmitting
our views Ia the staff and receiving
the results OF their consideration there
on.
Il feel absolutely convinced that you
and all who are working with YOU will
appreciate the real vital Importance
of this great work. and that rs CO.
operation We may each contribute to
q final product which Will constitute
something OF substantial and perma-
nent value Ia our country
The secretary has asked all the do
partmcut commanders to semi their
v!ews 10 Washington. In the mean
time, the subject viii be considered b.
the general stan and the special board.
Of which General Hugh Scott, chief OF
staff. is the chairman. Other members
are General William Crozier. chief ord :
nance. and General kingmaH. chief of
engineers, who has charge OF the con-
struction of Notifications.