The Washington herald., 1915-12-23
By r. b. JOHNS.

The War College has been asked to
make a comprehensive study of the func-
ton of a general stan in the European
war. This, 1t is understood, has been
done by the Secretary with view of
submitting his recommendations with re-
gard to the general staff to Congress dur
ing the consideration of army legisla-
ton.
The developments in the war indicate
that the scope OF the work of the gen
eral stafY Is broader than that OF the
armed force. Both in Germany and
France the general STATS made plans
for the organization OF the resources
of the country behind the army. The
Importance of this has become SO ap-
parent that according to the dispatches
"A general stan Is being organized in
England A grand general stan which
is now directing the armies of the al
lied powers. has come into existence
and much is expected from II by the
allies.
1t is apparent that II there is to be
any coordination between the army and
the resources Of the country 1t must be
brought about through the enlargement
of the. general stan Of the army. The
present general staf Is not of sufficient
strength to handle the work in the army
which has been assigned to it. Even
with our present small army the gen.
eral staff should be enlarged, and II
We are to have a continental army or
any other force Of second line troops
there should be a general staff of at
least l50 officers. 1t Is understood that
the War College has fixed the minimum
at 125
No civilian organization such as the
proposed Council of National Defense can
take the place of q General Staff in the
Organization of an army. In some
quarters 1t Is believed that there should
be a grand General Staff of army and
navy officers. 1t is urged that the
functions Of the army and navy can be
co-ordinated only through a joint Gen.
eral STAFF. Germany has an organization
Of somewhat this character and the
modern tendency In military organization
is to bring the army and navy into
closer relations. In war time they are
frequently and generally called upon 10
conduct joint operations and 1t is urged
that they should have the same organiza-
ton In times Of peace as they form in
war time.
A very fiattering report Of the work
done by the Marine Corps at the Citizens
Training Camp at Lansdowne., Pa, has
been forwarded to the Navy Department
from former Adjutant Gen. Gilmore. of
the Philadelphia National Guard. The
camp was organized through the efforts
Of ]. Drexel Biddle and the expenses
borne by private subscription. Over 200
prominent business men of Philadelphia
and neighboring cities attended the camp.
The marines who were detailed to
act as instructors were Gunnery Ser
geant w. J. Borden. Sergeant j. A
Anderson. Cuartermaster %. Sulzman,
Corporal Heeman, Corporal A. j.
Grimes. Drummer +. q. Lewis. Troop
er J. Raia and Privates II. Albert and
E. Pogany. The marines came from
the Port Royal recruiting station
where their duties especially qualified
them for work at the camp. Gen. Gill
more commended the entire detail for
its efficiency and made special men,
ton of Gunnery Sergeant Borden and
Quartermaster Sulxman.
The camp was a sort of a week end
affair the citizens recruits report
ing at 4:30 Friday being on duty until
> o. m. Sunday. Eight hours of in
tensified training were given those
who attended the camp Friday and
Saturday. concluded by lecture each
evening.
The camp ended with a review con-
auctsd BY MAJ. Gen. George Burnett