The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-02

OF European beet sugar, with possible
free sugar from Porto Rico and discrimin-
atins duties In favor OF West Indian SUI
Gar. he shows that, paying our duty. the
Suoan sugar would realize but 269 cents
per pound for the producer against 2.7l
cents Tor the German, and suggests as
curative measure some tariff arrange
!nehls py which Cuban products may be
lnporteo INTO the United States on the
same terms as those proposed for ia
lha area IN the pending reciprocity treaty.
EAten1ed statements as TO government
IN tIle philippines are waived because OF
the full report which will be presented by
the philippine Commission. Reference is
MADE TO the negotiations between General
hales and the Sultan of Sulu, and II is
pointed out that il is not only subject to
Congressional approval but the Sultan has
Deen informed that such approval should
not carry with IL the consent of the
Chited states TO the existence of slavery
on the islands
A strong recommendation is made for
the laying OF a Pacific cable as a matter
OF great military and political Importance
Inc cost OF such cable is placed at not
exceeding @,5OO.O00. running by way OF
ttaWaii, Wake Island and Guam, from
San Francisco 10 Manila.
Inc secretary deals In a forceful man.
ner with the subject OF post exchanges
lie expresses his agreement with the con-
stfuctlon or the statute on this point as
lald down by the Attorney General. and
produces statistics from the United States
tnat the overwhelming testimony OF
the army is TO the effect that
me me present regulation has promoted
the temperance. discipline, morals and
health OF the enlisted men and that in the
interest OF morality and effective service
IL should be retained. The Secretary
says:
The political question to be considered is not
whether soldiers should drink not drink but
whether they should be permitted to drink beer
IA camp: surrounded by the restraining inf1u-
enees OF discipline and good association. or
whisky In the vile resorts which cluster around
me limits OF every military post and camp and
especially around those in which prohibition is
maintained. ! have no doubt that the presenT
regulation furnishes the wise answer 10 this
question.
Under Under the head of river and harbor
characteriZing these estimates as gener-
any meritorious, says that he has felt IL
necessary, in view of the extraordinary
appropfiauons for military purposes, to
reduce the estimates of the chief of en-
Sineers from S2l.906, S21 TO 81. 1898, al
Othsr recommendations are that Gen
eTai smarter should be retired with the
Idnh OF major general and that a statute
OF Geheral Grant should be erected in the
national capital
one of the most important chapters of
The report deals with the subject of army
reorganization. and on this point the Sec
rotary makes some radical recommends
lions, pointing out the inadeQuacy of the
present system and insufticiency of the
force. Starting with the promise that the
real object of having an army is TO pro-
vide Tor war. and that the regular army
would never be by itself the whole ma
chlne with which war would be fought
tne secretary proceeds 10 outline
Scheme or reform supported at each stage
oy succlnct argument TO demonstrate its
necessity. He first lays down the neces-
slty or a systematic study by responsible
officers Of plans of action under all con-
unSencies OF possible conflict, and points
out the lamentable disadvantage we are
In In this respect, as shown by our past
10 the mobilization and encampment and
training of volunteer troops. Next there
should be ample preparation OF material
OF war. keeping pace with the progress
or military science and avoiding the state
OF unpreparedness in which we were
found at the outbreak Of the last war
This should be the> business of competent
men. There should be an adequate
process OF selection according to merit
and effectiveness among the officers Of
the army, so that men of superior ability
and power may be placed in position OF
responsibility and authority. Fourth.
there should be ample exercise and train
ing OF the army in the movements OF
large bodies approximating war condi-
tions.
1t is recommended that an army war
college be established. including the ma or
general commanding and composed of the
heads of staff departments and a number
of the ablest high ranking officers in the
army, and to this college should be en-
trusted the execution OF the plans laid
out under the foregoing four heads. Every
officer below the field officers not a grad
uate of the service schools should receive
instruction at this college. All stan ap-
pointments should thereafter be made
from the line of the army for only a fixed
period Of say four or five years, the older
to return to the line at the end of that
should be made on the war college records
of efficiency and fitness, making allow
ance for gallant conduct in the field. and
excepting only the technical branches OF
The present system Of promotion by SEN
iority should be modified as TO officers be-
low field rank by dividing the promotions
those based on eficiency and gal alb t1t
staff appointments and line promotions
other than those for seniority should be
made by board officers based on efficiency
and records.
There should be active cooperation be-
tween the army and navy in the matter OF
their respective war colleges TO provide
for joint defense and action.
me artillery branch OF the service
should have head. a member of the war
college. and on the staff OF the major gen.
eral commanding, and the inspection
corps should be increased.
turning 10 the volunteer element. which
must be relied upon to supplement the
regular army in case OF war the Secre-
tary lays stress on the Importance OF pre-
serving the same forms OF discipline,
using the same arms and generally insur-
ing that the united body shall be homo
geneous when assembled. This matter
should receive the especial attention of
the war college, which should invite the
confidence and cooperation of state and
military authorities. and open its courses
or instruction to national guard officers.
In this way. the Secretary foresees, an
elastic machinery will be provided. so that
when war threatens and long before Il Is
declared the multitude Of men who are to
DO the work OF organization may know
without waiting for an act of Congress
what will be required of them when the
hour strikes and may be engaged In the
quiet and deliberate preparation for neces-
sity In advance of action to prevent con-
fusion and mistakes.
The Secretary declares that the faith
ful and efficient services of the West
Point graduates since the declaration of
war with Spain have more than repaid
the cost OF the military academy since its
foundation. and he asks for a consider
able increase in the capacity OF the insti-
tuition and the number Of Its graduates.
The report draws 20 a conclusion with a
splendid tribute to the army's showing
during the past two wears and gives credit
10 the officers OF the volunteer force for
a large share N this achievement