The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-12-08

checked by decreasing the number OF un-
necessary positions and by increasing the
efficiency Of the employees remaining.
The Army.
The effect OF the laws providing a gem
cfal stan for the army and for the more
effective use OF the national guard has
been excellent Great Improvement has
been made iu the efficiency Of our army
In recent years Such schools as those
erected az Fort Leavcnworth and Fort
Riley and the institutiou OF fan MAN
euver work accomplish Satisfactory re-
salts The good effect OF these man-
cuvers upon the national guard is
marked and ample appropriation should
be made to enable the guardsmen OF the
several States to share IN the benefit
The Government should as soon as pos
sihle secure suitable permanent camp
sites for military maneuvers in the vari-
GUS sections Of the country. The service
thereby rendered not only TO the regular
army. but TO the national guard OF the
several States. will be so great as TO
repay many times over the relatively
small expense. We should not rest satls-
hcd with what has been done. however
The only people who are coutehted with
a system OF promotion by mere seniority
are those VINO are contented with the
triumph of mcdiocrity over excellence.
on the othey hand a system which en-
cuuraged the exercise Of social or politi-
cal favoritism ln promotions would be
even worse But it would surely be easy
TO devise o. method Of promotion from
grade to grade IN which the opinion Of
the higher officers OF the service upon
the candidates should DC decisive upon
the standing and promotion OF the latter.
Just such system now obtains at West
Point The quality OF each years work
determines the standing Of that years
class. the man being dropped or grad
uated into the next class IN the relative
position which his military superiors de-
eide 10 be warranted by his merit I'm
other words, ability energy fidelity and
all other similar qualities determine the
rank OF a ucu year after year in West
Point, and his Standing I'm the army when
he graduates from " csr Point. but from
that time on. all effort TO find which
man is best or worst, and reward or
punish him accordingly, is abandoned;
no brilliancy no amount OF hard work.
no cagcrness in the performance OF duty.
can advance him. and no slackness or
Indifference that falls short Of court
martial ofense can retard him. Until
this system is chahged we cannot hope
that our officers will be Of as high grade
as we have a right TO expect. consider
ing the material upon which we draw.
Moreover. when a. man renders such
service as Captain Pershing rendered last
spring in the Moro campaign it ought
TO be possible to reward him wthout at
once jumping him to the grade Of briga-
der general
The Navy.
Shortly after the enunciation o. that
famous principle of American foreign
policy now known as the Monroe Doc
trine." President Monroe. in special
to Congress on Jan. 80. 1924.
spoke as follows ''The navy is the arm
from whici. our Government will always
derive most aid in support OF our
rights. Every power engaged IN war Will
know the strength of our naval power,
the number OF our ships OF each class.
their condition. and the promputude with
which we may bring them into service.
and VIII pay due consideration to that
argument"
l heartily congratulate the Congress
upon the steady progress In building up
the American navy. We can not afford
let-up IN this great work TO stand
still means to go back. There should be
no cessation IN adding TO the effective
units Of the fighting strength Of the feet.
Meanwhile the Navy department aad the
officers OF the navy are doing well their
part by providing constant service at
sea under conditions akin to those Of
actual warfare. our officers and enlisted
men are learning 40 handle thc battle
ships. cruisers, and torpedo boats with
high efficiency in fleet and squadron for
nations, and the standard Of markham
ship IS being steadily raised. The best
work ashore Is Indispensable. but the
highest duty OF a naval officer is to ex-
erclse command az sea.
The establishment OF a naval base in
the Philippines ought not to be longer
postponed. Such base Is desirable in
time of peace. in time OF war it would
NsaH .NH Ia
ruinous Without it our ncet would be
helpless. Our naval experts are agreed
that Suhig bay Is the proper place for
the purpose The national interests re-
quire that the work OF fertilization and
development of a naval station at Subig
bay he begun at an early date; Tor un-
der the best conditions Il IS a work
which Will coiitume much time.
u IS eminentiy desirable, however. that
there should be provided a naval general
stan on lines similar 20 those OF the Cen
cral stan iotoiy created for tho army.
Within the Navy department itsslf the
needs of the service have brought about
system under which the duties OF a
general stan are partially performed; for
the Bureau of Navigation has under its
uirecion the War College. the Office OF
Naval Intelligence. ana the Board OF In
spCcuon, and has been In close touch
With the General Board Of the Navy Put
though under the excellent officers at
their head. these boards and bureaus do
eood work they have not the authority
of general stan, and have not sufficient
scope TO insure proper readiness for
emergencies We need the establishment
hy Jaw of body OF trained officers who
shall exercise systematic control of the
military affairs Of the navy and be au-
thoyized advisers Of the Secretary con-
ceuing it
lsthmian Canal.
By the act OF June 2S. 1902. the Con-
grcss authorized the President 70 enter
INTO treaty with Colombia for the build
ms 20 the canal across The Isthmus Of
Panama. q pciug provided e.iat IN the
eVent of failure 60 secure such treaty
after the lapse OF reasonable time. re-
course should hc had Co building .snal
through Nicaragua. it has not been
necessary To consider this alternative. as
I am enabled 10 l0y before the Senate
"a treaty providing for the building of the
canal across the lsthmus of Panama