Arizona republican., 1918-02-05
Reorganization of the War Department

Whether or not consequence of the criticism which has been leveed at the department, there is now in process reorganization of the department which should disarm for the moment at least all honest criticism and hold in abeyance the legislation for the creation of a war cabinet and munitions dioctor We believe the criticism has been honest and also that 1t has effective; that this legis Iation was proposed in good faith that when it was proposed there seemed other way to meet the evils of incapacity and nexperience The admnistra ton has found way if it will stick to it and leave to itself and to MT. Baker only the purely peaceful routine for which they fttAd and for which they were chosen all will yet be we'll But that will involve
 policy of strict noninterference with the re-orsani- zaton unless it should out that the reorganiza ton was intended only buffer against criticism and not as a real instrument of efficiency.
 The announcement of the selection of General March as chief of staff will total obscura- ton of the fossized old gentlemen who were no doubt brave soldiers, and good soldiers went in their day but whose qualifications for the admins tratve positions in which they have been allowed to founder since we entered the war consist of nothing but an accumulation of years which to all men alike Their familiarity with modern warfare is but a little more intimate than that of of Aexander's generals would be; about as useful as the military knowledge of a Roman centurion.
 General March is in his prime. Of all American officers in active service he is perhaps the most familiar with up to date warfare He grew with the development during the Spanish American war. He was with the Japanese an observer throughout the Russo Japanese war when warfare reached it's highest development. He has since been
 student of it's progress of the technical side of it he probably knows more than any other American officer
 It may. therefore be believed that there will be an overhaulng the need of which is emphasized in the report from General Pershng made public last Saturday when he complained of the crass ignorance of the American army officers sent him, from colones down. There with the rank of general. This report was the impressive coming, it did. so soon after the contemptuous reference of Colonel Gaed6e the German military expert to the creation of American military officers by the simple process of sewing epaulets their clothing" We may look for better things under General March
 Another appointment in the war department cauculated to inspire confidence is that Edward R Stettinus surveyor general" of army purchases for which position he has been fitted by his ence of three years as purchaser for the allied gov ernmens in this country He will be in charge of the procurement and production of all supplies for the five army bureaus, ordnance. quartermasters, signal, engineer and medical If he is let alone he will be
 minister of munitions" with vast and extraordinary powers.
 Then we have General Goethals the foremost executive country in full charge the quarter masters department. There is also General Gorgas who made possible the achievements of General Goethals in Panama in charge of the health of ths military camps Here is organization for ac- complishment and there will be accomplishment if inc president and the secretary of will stand between these and the politicians will them selves refrain from intrudng Then we will get on with the