Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-06-22

of the principles of that religion which
we all profess. should rejoice that un-
der this Republican administration
their country has attained a potent
leadership among the nations in the
cause of peace and international JUS
tice.
The respect and moral power thus
gained has been exercised in the in
terests of humanity, where the rules of
diplomatic intercourse have made for
NAL Intervention impossible. When
the Roumanian outrages and when the
appalling massacre at kishineff,
shocked civilization, and filled thou
sands of our own people with mourn
ing, the protest of America was heard
through the voice of it's government,
with full observance of diplomatic
rules, but with moral power and effect.
We have advanced the authority of
the Monroe Doctrine. Our adherence
to the convention which established
The Hague Tribunal was accepted by
the other powers, with {. formal declar-
alton that nothing therein contained
should be construed to imply the re-
linquishment by the United States of
it's traditional attitude toward purely
American questions. The armed dem
onstration by the European powers
against Venezuela WAS made the occa-
| sion for disclaimers to the United
States of any intention tc seize the ter
ritory of Venezuela, recognizing in the
most unmistakable way the rights of
the United States expressed in the
| 4. of fb.,t
| In the meantime, mindful that moral
powers unsupported by physical
| strength do not always avail against
selfishness and aggression, we have
been auginenting the forces which COM
mand respect.
| We have brought our Navy to a high
state of efficiency and have exercised
both Army and Navy in the methods of
scacoast defense. The joint Army and
Navy Board has been bringing the two
| services together in good understanding
and the common study of the strategy,
the preparation and the cooperation
which will make them effective in time
of need. Our ships have been exercised
in fleet and squadron movements, have
been improved in craftsmanship and
| mobility and have been constantly
tested by use. Since the last National
Convention met we have completed and
added to our Navy, 5 battleships. 4
cruisers, monitors, "a torpedo des-
troycrs and torpedo boats; while we
have put under construction, IL battle
ships and 13 cruisers.
-Four years ago our Army numbered
over 100, 900 men-regulars and Volun-
teers, IS per cent. of them in the Philip
pines and China. Under the operation
cf statutes limiting the period of ser
| vice, 1t was about to lapse back into its
old and insufficient number of $1,000,
and it's old and insufficient organization
under the practical control of perma-
nant staff departments at Washing
ton, with the same divisions of counsel
and lack of coordinate and directing
power at the head, that led to con-
fusion and scandal in the war with
Spain. During the past four years the
lessons taught by that war have re-
crived practical effect The teachings
of sherman and of Upton have been re-
called and respected. Congress has
fixed q maximum of the Army at $780,
600. and a minimum at 10000, so that
maintaining only the minimum In
! peace, as we now do. when war threat
cnS the President may begin prepara-
tion by filling the ranks to the maxi
| mum. without waiting until after war
has begun, as he had to wait in 1898.
Permanent staff appointments have
Iccn changed to details from the line,
with compulsory returns ut fixed inter-
yoIs to service with troops. so that the
requirements Of the field and the camp
rather than the requirements of the
office desk shall control the depart
mrnts of administration and supply. a
corps organization has been provided
for our artillery with a chief of artil-
Irry at the head, so that there may he
iutcllip.nt use of our costly sea1aSt
d.fruscs. Under the Act Of February
nth. 1903, a General Staff has been es-
tabIishcd organized to suit American
conditions and requirements and adc-
ull;,tc for the performance of the long
neglected hut all-important duties OF
directing military education and train
ing. AMI Applying the most advanced
princiul,S of military science to that
: necessary preparation for war which Is
: the s,,rcst safeguard of peace. The
command of the Army now rests where
| II is placed by the Constitution-in the
President His power is exercised
| through n military chief of stall
pledged by the conditions and tenure
of his office to confidence and loyalty i'
his commander. Thus civilian contr"
, Of the military arm. upon which We
must always insist, is rcconcllcd WITH
that military efficiency which can b'
obtained only under the direction oi
, the trained military expert.
, Four years ago we were living under
an obsolete militia law more than q
century old, which Washington anc
: jefferson and Madison, and alm"s
every president since their time, hao
declared to be worthless. We present
cd the curious spectacle of a people de-
ncrdinC upon n citizen soldiery for pro
. tcction against aggression, ana max
ing practically no provision whatever
for training its citizens in the use o.
warlike weapons or in the elementary
duties of the soldier. The mandate o
the Constitution which required Con
rress to provide for organizing, arm
! fbp militia had beer