The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-01-02

sion, VIII demand from his staff, In
writing, statement Of the exact stu
alton of his own and the enemy's
forces. This statement will be based
not only on documents, but on an ex-
animation by stafr officers of the
ground itself. After hearing the opip-
ion of his chief Of staff aud 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 ofilcer2 In the first place, he
must be able to understand not only
his general but the troops. His own
personality must be abdlcated. He
must put all his strength. both physi-
cal and morul, Mt the service Of 9TH
Cio nj ui tiihNS uCsiiC W lCuIh
should animate him; the least care
lessness or. Ignorance on his part
would be a crime which might cost
the lives of great many Of his COM
rades.
He should be modest and discreet,
speedy, Woodworking, 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
superiors he should be deferential,
frank, sincere and loyal. After hav-
ing contributed all he can to the study
Of any question, after having ex-
pressed his personal opinion with per-
feet freedom, but with modesty and
measure-and never except when 1t
is asked for-thcn he must loyalty ac-
cept the decision made, and work with
all his heart to give 1t success, even
though 1t be contrary to his personal
judgment. He must endeavor at all
times to be cheerful and confident,
contributing thus to that mental relax
alton so indispensable at certain
times, which is only possible in an at
mosphere Of gayety and faith.
In his relations with subordinate
commanders he must be deferential
and sincere, seeking to win their con-
fidence by showing them respect and
devotion. He will at no time and I'M
der no circumstances seek to put him
self ahead of his general or behave
in way which might injure the lat
ter's authority. When he feels that
an order is being badly interpreted he
should point out the mistake to the
officer who is responsible, but he
should never seek to correct it him.
self. His reports should be unflinch-
ingly honest, combining themselves to
what is important, and so justly
cOuched that they might be read even
by the person they concerned, frank
and open, stating facts, not impress
sions, always affirming never insinu-
ating.
Bravery and Goodness.
During battle the staff officer should
at all times be brave, without hest
tation, but without holiness. Always
keeping a cool head, and using it, If
necessary, to rc-establish order and
to carry out his generals will, of
which he is in some sort the incar-
nation. He may be called upon to
sacrifice his life. No soldiers death
could be 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 of his comrades, and Eigor-
ously excluding all temptations to be-
come enviOus, or to push himself for
ward. The officers of one staff are
like the cells Of single brain, and
the part which each one plays in the
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
in the victory are not capable of Or
ganizing it. There Is no more appar-
ent truth.
French School for Officers.
I 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 preliminary
which required at least
two years to prepare. They then had
two years Of special schooling, and