The publication of this Army Order is supplemented by an
interesting explanatory Memorandum by the Secretary of State for War. He points out how the British Army has hitherto never possessed a General Staff, but how necessary, such an organisation is under the conditions of modern war and for the efficient management of large numbers of troops. Mr. Haldane declares, very truly, that it is not only in the field that a trained General Staff makes its influence felt. It- has a further role in peace, the importance of which cannot
be exaggerated. it ensures that an army shall move with the times, and not suffer from that process of petrifaction which unhappily has always overtaken the British Army in the periods between two wars. But while the General Staff is the brain of the Army, great care must be taken that it shall keep in close touch with the Army as a whole. This hold on actuality is to be obtained by ensuring that "every officer belonging to the General Staff, in every rank, shall actually command troops. For instance, if he belongs to the Infantry he must command a company, a battalion, and a regiment before reaching General's rank."
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