The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-03-18

4NOANo lllC whining AllSSOuI
River at Fort Leavenworth. Kan
saS,l IS university of war that is lit
Tie known to the public 1t is an un
pretentious university" You Nigh
drive through the streets that spread
out before it without realizing tn
highly important part it plays in the
tar-flung battle of democracy. Its title
Is The Command and General Stat
School, The school was founded more
than 90 years ago by General William
L. Sherman, and includes among itS
graduates practically every high-rank
ing officer. To this school the Army
sends the cream of its command fol
special training.
In peacetimes the course of instruc-
ton covers two years. But, with a wal
on our hands, the course has had tc
be telescoped into nine weeks. None
of the student officers are below the
rank of captain.
In recent times the school has had
to take on an added responsibility. 1t
has assumed mission of educating
selected businessmen from all over the
country in:
Q The organization of the Army
(2) How the Army is supplied.
(3) How it is transported
(4) How it fights.
(5) How both the line and staff
function
CO. How to estimate the current
military and economic situation.
Why was this done? 1t quickly be-
came obvious to the War Department
that in a global war it was the part
of wisdom to post civilians who are
influential in their communities on
vital aspects of the war, and not
leave essential training to military
leaders alone Germany had adopted
such a procedure after the last war,
operating through its school of Gopoli-
tics in Munich Indeed, many we'll
informed people attribute the success
of the Germans in the first stages
of the war to the preparation made
by this school. In 1880, the Japanese
opened a similar institute and brought
civilian leaders within the scope of
their far-fung war plans.
Before the United States entered
the conflict, it was realized that a
total war had to be fought on more
fronts than are to be found on the
battlefield. There was a political front
and an economic front. Above all,
there was a home front. The war had
to be fought there, too. Sacrifices had
to be made, and made with good
grace. And while the bulk of the peo-
pie were prepared to surrender ever
their all to bring the conflict to a
victorious end, there were others who
baked at the demands made upon
them A global war was something
new. 1t was not easily understood, Its
ramifcations were not easily followed.
1t gave rise to disturbing questions.
Why should canned goods be sent to
people abroad when they were needed
by people at home?
Glib phrases were circulated to the
effect that democracy was being test
ed in the crucible of war, and they
brought little or no response from the
public. There were symptoms Of APP
preaching upheaval and the public
was, to say the least, trihe Devil
dered. SO the Army Orientation
Course was organized. 1t began with
IS members in 1871, when the so
bering truth was not understood by
many people in the United States, and
when democracy, in the presence of
a great catastrophe, retained its easy
going mood. In the autumn Of 1912
there was a second civilian course, at
tended by Sc members, and a third in
January, 1913.
The choice of men was significant.
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