Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-11-23
MASTER OF GRAND
STRATEGY SOUGHT
UNLESS HE is FOUND, VICTORY
WILL BE LONG DEFERRED,
SAY ARMY OFFICERS.
MAY BE IN AMERICAN CAMP
IN Our Army and Navy Colleges, as in
Those of other Nations, the War
Game Has Been Played for
Many Years.
By GEORGE CLINTON.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-No army officer In
Washington questions the assertion of
final victory for the allies, but there
are plenty of officers who believe that
success long must be deferred unless
scattered strategy shall become con-
centrated strategy, and that quickly.
Washington's soldiery and particu-
larly that part of it which constitutes
the war office, wants an anwer to this
question:
who is the master of grand strategy
to make the plan and point the way
to victory for the allies?"
American army officers believe, and
the thought also possesses the brains
and breasts of officers of the allies,
that somewhere today there is man
who in the future will be hailed as
the savior of democracy. Where is
he and who is he? The answer may
come shortly.
For years the officers attached to
the war colleges of the army and navy
have studied strategy. Wars have
ing on the engineers reservation in
this city and in the other big build
ing of the navy near Newport, r. l.,
with every power on earth which could
lay claim to military strength in what
ever degree.
"Strategos" Played for Years.
1t has been the business Of the war
college to play the game which in the
old days was called 'strategos." The
game was played by the older army of.
ficers when they were cadets at West
Point, played in its original and more
simple form because in these days war
had not assumed the character which
it has taken on today.
An amplified, extended and re-en-
forced "strategos" has been the war
game as played on the tables of the
war colleges of every country for the
past ten years. Germany was fought
on sea and on land by American Of
ficers of the army and navy before
the kaiser let loose his devil legiOns in
1914.
England has been fought on land
and on sea by officers of the American
army attending as students the war
college of their country. So has France
been fought, Russia too, Italy too, and
Japan and other nations even down
to those which in few conceivable cir
cumstances could make their martial
strength felt il battle on land or on
water.
IT,, k1,r Av1afa sfo1rN or
colleges of the army and navy was
done also in the war colleges of all
the allied countries, and of Germany,
Austria and Turkey.
Looking for Master Strategist.
The search is on in the United States
for a master strategist. It is on also
in every other country engaged in the
conflict in behalf of democracy. Were
it not that Germany seems to be fully
satisfied with the strategy of Hin
denburg and a Mackensen it probably
would be safe to say that the search
was on in kaiserland also.
The major generals and the briga-
der generals of the United States
army and with them thousands upon
today whipping the armies in shape.
Have they time to put to practical use
at this time their native strategical
ability and their knowledge acquired
at the war college of their country?
Some of these officers, senior and jun
ior, are known to service men and
ought to be known to the civilian au-
thorities as men Of marked proficiency
in the solving of strategical problems.
There is a feeling existing in Wash
ington, in the service and out of it,
that every promising field should be
searched for ''the man with a PLAN"
This war probably will produce it's
master strategist. England, France
and Italy and perhaps Russia are
searching for such man today. Can
he not be found somewhere within the
American camp?
Spies May Get Short Shrift.
"Any person who in time Of
war shall be found lurking or act
ing as spy in or about any of the
Notifications, posts, quarters or en-
campments, or elsewhere. shall be tried
by q general court-martial, and shall,
on conviction thereof, suffer DEATH"
ANY person brings within the jul
risdiction all persons of whatever ma
tionality or civil status who may be
accused.'-U. S. Articles Of War.
A drumhead, thirty minutes court,
a verdict, and shooting party at day.
break.
Patience seems to have reached it's
limit In officialdom. For seven months
the government has been benevolent
minded. Recent happenings apparent
Iy have stirred even mild civilian off,
Gals.
The usual firing party when trail
tor pays the penalty is composed Of
twelve men, eleven Of whom have rifles