The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-08
ARMY LEGISLATION.
Strong Battleships. Too, Said to Be a
Part of a Great Plan.

are now WORKING out prdctlc2DIe
scheme for strengthening the defenses
OF the United States, its insular pos
sessions and naval stations. which
when put in operation, will be the most
far-reaching military move ever made
since we became a world power. Both
the Army and the Navy and the high
civil authorities of this administration
realize that the time has arrived when
it would be folly to put off any longer
the inevitable and are working togcth-
er with the idea Of so strengthening the
military and naval establishments that
war with any European power will find
the country well prepared to protect it
self and its principles.
The General Board Of the Navy has
made a strong plea that the naval sta
tons at home and abroad be as we'll
protected as any harbor of the country,
and with this idea the War Department
officials are in perfect accord. High
ranking officers of the Navy, as well as
the General Board as unit, are
strongly adverse to the idea of delaying
the building of battleships of the most
modern type and equipment, and there
now seems little doubt that the Presi-
dent in his message to Congress will
make a strenuos plea for the increase
in the material as we'll as the personnel
of the Navy. Strong, fighting battle
ships are the type of vessels which are
to be urged for construction by the
Roosevelt administration. Vessels able
to give, as we'll as to take, punishment,
and so strong that they can successful
ly cope with any ship in any foreign
navy. 1T is this type of ship that we
want" recently remarked a high Off
cial of the Navy Department, 'and it is
this type that Congress will be asked
to appropriate for during the next two
or three years"
Beside the Strengthening Of the sea
coast defenses of this country, it is the
plan to place the Philippines, Hawaii
and Porto Rico upon a strong military
footing. In case of war with any Eu-
ropean nation the Philippines and Ha-
wall would certainly be points of at
tack. Neither of these places is now in
a position to repel an attack by a
strong, modern feet without the assist
ance of the Navy. and steps will soon
be taken to better shore defenses of
both places.
Of course, the entire plan for defense
has not yet definitely decided upon, but
the time is rapidly approaching when
an order will be issued by the Presi-
dent converting a board Of technical
military and naval experts whose duty
it will be to suggest a plan for
! 49, y how
defenses of the entire country and its
insular possessions. Ae we have said,
this board will consist of both Army
and Navy officers and will have as
members some of the brightest mill
tary minds of the country. Again we
call attention to the fact that it is the
policy of this administration to pre-
pare for war in time Of peace" Other
nations who may at some future day
be our enemies are working to place
themselves on a strong military basis,
and it is the opinion of our Army and
Navy officers that it behoOves this
country to do likewise-not to follow in
the steps of others, but to take the lead
and always be just little ahead
In speaking to us of this matter of
defenses a prominent officer of the
Army recently said, what we have so
often affirmed: Just so long as this
country is able to take care of itself
and no longer, will it be safe from for
eign war; when we are weak it is i'm
possible to say what will happen.
With these views We heartily concur.
But the Secretary of War has re-
solved to combine efficiency with econ
omy, and he has decided upon a policy
of retrenchment for the War Depart
ment and the military establishment
generally. In accordance with this, all
department chiefs of the War Depart
ment have been notified that their esti-
mates for the coming fiscal year must
be greatly reduced. BY adopting this
policy it is hoped and believed that
| Congress will be in better mood to
pass the legislation for Army reorgani-
cation. The great reduction recently
ordered made in the strength Of the
Army will save the government mil
lions Of dollars in the pay of enlisted
men and in their support Transports
ton will also be greatly curtailed this
| year, as it is proposed to reduce the
| transport service between this country
| and the Philippines to a minimum.
| The War Department is now at work
upon the bill for Army reorganization
which is to be submitted Immediately
after Congress convenes. Many Of the
salient features of the proposed bill
we have already outlined and we hope
| to give in short time the exact pro-
| visions of the bill. Notwithstanding the
| fate of the bill last session, the feeling
| of the War Department is now most
| optimistic concerning its passage Con-
gressmen of prominence in military af-
| fairs have been at the War Department
| during the past few months and have
| all assured the high officials there that
| they will lend their support this session
| to the General Staff and Consolidation
bill. Whether Secretary Root will meet
with success in his endeavors to re-es-
tablish the beer features of the post eX-
change seems doubtful, as politics en-
| ter so largely into this question that
congressman are 10th to make any &C.
ton looking to a chance. There is
| however, one side to this question
which it is necessary to consider in de-
! termining the chances for the re-estab-
| lishment of the post exchange on its
| old basis, and that is the fact that
| there are many Congressman whose
! failure to secure a reelection relieves
ranks. There is not the slightest doubt
| that this faction, which is large, will
vote for the establishment of the