The San Francisco call., 1903-12-05
GENERAL STAFF FAVORED.

"Third-The creation Of a general
staff. which shall be responsible for the
efficiency Of the vessels afioat and the
personnel # the navy, collect and di-
gest military information upon which
plans for active operations may be
formulated, and act as the military ad-
wiser Of the Secretary. having no au-
thority except such as may be con-
ferred upon ii from time to time by the
secretary. 1t should be understood that
the department does not entirely lack
the assistance which would be rendered
by a general staff. The war college at
Coaster Harbor Island, the intelligence
Office. the board Of inspection and sur
vey and the bureau Of navigation work
in intelligent cooperation with the
general board, which was created by
my predecessor as the result of expert
ence In the war with Spain.
THE admiral Of the navy. whose ex-
perience and advice. always fully avail
able. have been Of inestimable value
is the president Of this board and the
chief Of the bureau Of navigation is. the
chairman Of its executive committee.
Through these two officers the deliber-
atiOns and opinions Of the board. based
not only upon their experience as Of
fcers. but on the work of the bodies
above enumerated, are brought to the
attention Of the Secretary. Together
the admiral Of the navy and the chief
OF the bureau Of navigation are in a
considerable measure performing the
duties Of a chief Of general staff. The
board has no existence except by vir-
tue Of the departmental regulation.
which may at any moment be modified
or repealed. It is not my purpose to
recommend specifically at this time any
OF these proposals, but only TO bring
them forward for the earnest discus
sion and consideration which their i'm
portance deserves. Mere change is not
reform and none should be attempted
until it appears. that the conditions
were bettered thereby.
7 venture, however, to expres the
hope that Congress may give to the
whole subject of the organization Of
our naval establishment its best
thought and attention. The cost of our
naval establishment, as well as the ef-
fciency Of our navy, would amply war
rant all the study which can be given"
PROPOSES CoURTS-MARTIAL.
1t is recommended by the Secretary
that for the better government of per
sons subject to the laws and discipline
OF the navy the President, whenever
he shall deem such power necessary.
may authorize commandants at remote
naval stations to convene general
courts-martial; that some simple sys-
tenn Of civil government be provided
for the islands Of Guam and Tutuila.
with appeal in proper cases to courts
Of the United States, and that like pro-
vision be made for the satisfactory
government on the civil side of the
naval stations at Guantanamo. within
which concession il is understood a
considerable number Of persons. Gift
zens Of Cuba and others, viii remain as
permanent or temporary residents. It
is suggested that this station and fbe
Midway Islands might appropriately
for certain purposes be attached IN
judicial districts Of the United States
in substantially the manner adopted I'm
the case Of guano islands.
Relative to the usefulness NJ the
navy the Secretary says:
The expenditures for the support NJ
the navy have increased considerably
were during the last fiscal year larger
than IN any year Of our history excent
the years 1864 and 1865, and are certain
10 increase still further. 1t is interest
ing TO compare the expenditures of the
present with those Of the past, though
no standard Of comparison exists which
is in all respects satisfactory As a
nation we are able to possess a navy
Of such size and cost as our national
interests and duties require. On the
other hand we should not be tempted