The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
NEEDS OF THE ARMY
AND THE NAVY.
Permanent Camp Sites for Military
Maneuvers-COnstru of More
Warships Urged.

The effect of the laws providing a gen.
eral staff for the army and for the more
effective use of the National Guard. has
been excellent. Great improvement has
been made in the efficiency of our army in
recent years. Such schools as those erected
at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley and
the institution of fall maneuver work ac-
complishes satisfactory results. The good
effect of these maneuvers upon the Ma
tional Guard is marked, and ample appro-
priation should be made to enable the
guardsmen of the several States to share
in the benefit. The government should as
soon as possible secure suitable permanent
camp sites for military maneuvers in the
various sections of the country. The serv-
Ice thereby rendered not only TO the regular
army, but to the National Guard of the
several States, will be- so great as to re-
pay many times over the relatively small
expense. We should not rest satisfied with
people who are contented with a system of
promotion by mere seniority are those
who are contented with the triumph of
mediocrity over excellence. On the other
hand, a system which encouraged the ex-
ercise of social or POLITICAL favoritism in
promotions would be even worse. But it
would surely be easy to devise method
of promotion from grade to grade in which
the opinion of the higher officers of the
service upon the candidates should be de-
cisive upon the standing and promotion OF
at West Point. The quality of each years
work determines the standing of that
years class, the man being dropped or
graduated into the next class in the rela-
tive position which his military superiors
decide to be warranted by his merit. In
other words, ability, energy, fidelity and
all other similar qualities determine the
rank of a man year after year in West
Point, and his standing I'm the army when
he graduates from West Point; but from
that time on all effort to find which man
t. aaf nd him
accordingly, is abandoned; no brilliancy,
no amount Of hard work, no eagerness In
the performance of duty, can advance him.
and no slackness indifference that falls
short OF cOurt-martfal OnenSe can retard
him. Until this system is changed we
cannot hope that our officers VIII be or
as high grade as we have a right 10 ex-
pect, considering the material upon which
we draw Moreover, when a man renders
such service as Captain Pershing rendered
last spring In the Moro campaign, II ought
to be possible to reward him without at
once jumping him to the grade or prigaoier
general.
warships and Naval Bases.
Shortly after the enunciation of that ia
nous principle of American foreign policy
now known as the Monroe Doctrine"
President Monroe, in a special message to
Congress on Jan. 30, 1924 spoke as follows:
1.-THE navy is the arm from which our gov
eminent will always derive most aid in sup
port of our rights. Every power en-
gagged In war will know the strength of our
naval power. the number of our ships OF
each class their condition and the prompti-
tude with which we may bring them into
service and will pay due consideration to
heartily congratulate the Congress upon
the steady progress in building up the
American navy we cannot AFFORD let-up
go back. There should be no cessation in
adding to the effective units of the fighting
strength of the fleet. Meanwhile the Navy
Department and the officers of the navy are
doing well their part by providing constant
service at under conditions akin to
those Of actual warfare. Our officers and
enlisted men are learning to handle the
battleships, cruisers and torpedo boats with
high efficiency in fleet and squadron fOrma-
lions and the standard of craftsmanship
is being steadily raised. The best work
ashore is indispensable, but the highest
duty of a naval officer is to exercise COM
mand at sea.
The establishment of a naval base in the
Philippines ought not TO be longer post
poned Such base Is desirable in time
of peace; in time of war it would be in
dispensable. and its lack would be ruinous.
Without it our fleet would be helpless. Our
naval experts are agreed that Subig bay Is
the proper place for the purpose. The ma
| fertilization and development OF a naval
| station at Subig bay be begun at an early
date; for under the best conditions IL is
| a work which will consume much time.
Naval General staff.
1t is eminently desirable, however, that
| there should be provided a naval general
staff on lines similar to those of the general
| staff lately created for the army. Within
| the Navy Department itself the needs of the
| service have brought about system I'M
| der which the duties of a general staff are
partially performed; for the Bureau Of Nav
| igation has under its direction the War
| College, the Office OF naval intelligence and
hn ard IF iTGD lon 0Ffh hos 11nr1
close touch with the General Board of the
| Navy. But though under the excellent Of
/ ficers at their head. these boards and bu-
| reaus do good work. they have not the au-
| thority of general staff, and have not
sufficient scope to insure a proper readiness
/ for emergencies. We need the establish
| ment by law of a body of trained officers
| who shall exercise q systematic control of
/ the military affairs of the navy and he