The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-12-28

writing, 4. statement of the exact Situ-
alton of his oSu and the snems's
forces. This statement Will be based
not only on documents, but on an ex-
animation by staff officers of the
ground itself. After hearing the opin-
ion OF his chief OF staff and OF the
head of the department OF operations,
the general will take his decision, for
which he alone is responsible. He will
then assemble his staff, and explain
TO the entire body his general plan,
thus avoiding repetition. miSapprehen-
Sions and the loss of time. Each Off
Ger knows what is expected Of him.
He is ready to do his part without
further delay.
And what. finally. are the personal
qualities which are to be expected OF a
good staff officer? In the first place, he
must be able to understand not only
his general but the troops. His own
personality must be abdicated. He
must put all his strength. both physi-
cal and moral, at the service OF 9th
ers. At all times desire to learn
should animate him; the least care
lesSness or ignorance on his part
would be crime which might cost
the lives OF great many Of his COM
rades.
He should be modest and discreet,
speedy, hard-working, clear-headed,
calm and methodical. keeping the
same anonymity in the little circle Of
the staff that the private keeps in the
ranks.
Must Efface Himself.
In his relations with his immediate
SupcriOrs he should be dcferential,
frank, sincere and loyal. After hay-
ing contributed all he can TO the study
Of any question, after having eI-
pressed his personal opinion with per-
feet freedom, but with molesty and
meaSure-and never except when 1t
is asked fOr-thpn he must Loyalty ac-
ccpt the decision made. and work with
all his heart to give ii success. even
though it be contrary to his personal
Judgment. He must cndpavOr at all
times Ia he cheerful and confident.
contributing thus tn that mental relax
alton So indispensable at certain
times, which is only possible in an at
llOsphere OF gayety and faith.
In his relations with subordinate
commanders he must be defCrential
and sincere. seeking to win their CON
f,lcncc by showing them respect and
devotion. He will at no time and IN
der no circumstances seek to put him
>"!f shpad nf his general or behave
ina way which might injurr The lat
ttr'S authority. When he feels that
an order i< being badly interpreted he
should point out the mistake to the
aiThnr who is responsible. but he
should never seek 10 correct il him
HcIf. His reports should he unflinch-
insly honest, combining themselves to
WHIST is Important. and 80 justly
couched that they might be read even
hy the person they concerned. frank
and "nen. stating facts. not impress
sions. always affirming, never inSinu-
aling
Bravery and Goodness.
During battle the staff officer should
at all times he brave, without hest
tatinn, but without holiness. Always
keeping cool head. and using it, If
necessary, [" rp-r>Iahli>Ii order. and
to carry out his generals will, OF
which he is i'll some sort the incar-
Ia La luI t,
sacrifice his life. No soldiers death
could he more glorious.
And in the obscure but essential
work OF his Office he should work
ceaselessly to grasp the mind and will
of his general. uniting his own will
with that 0f his comrades, and E.or-
oUSly excluding all temptations to be-
come enyiOus, or to push himself for
ward. The officers Of one staff are
like the cells of Il single brain, and
the part which each one plays in the
elaboration of the single idea may not
be defined.
Above everything else, the staff Off
Ger must be immutably confident in
the final victory. 1t is an old military
saying that those who do not believe
III the victory are not capable of or
ganiZing it. There is no more appar-
ent truth.
French School for Officers.
| will close with a rapid summary |
Of the methods by which officers are
at present being trained in the |
French army. Before the war, those !
who desired to become staff officers |
were required to pass a preliminary |
which required at least |
Two years to prepare. They then had
.wo years of special schooling, and