Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-06-21

ed a potent leadership among the ma
lions in the cause OF peace and in
ternational justice.
The respect and neral bower thu
gained has been exercised in the inter
ests of humanity, where the rules O
diplomatic intercourse have mad,
formal intervention impossible. Whef
the Roumanian outrages and wher
the appalling massacre at Kishinafl
shocked civilization. and filled thous
ands of our " people with mourning
the protest of America was 9eaff
through the voice of its government
with full observance of diplomatic
rules, but with moral power. and eff
feet.
We have advanced the authority oil
the Monroe Doctrine. Our adherence
to the convention which established
the Hague Tribunal was accented by
the other powers. with d formal decla.
ration that nothing therein contained
should be construed to imply the re.
linquislmenf by the United States Of
its traditional attitude toward purely
American questions. The armed dem
onstration by the European powers
again Venezuela was made the occas,
ion for disclaimers To the United
States 81 any intention to seize the
territory 81 Venezuela. recognizing in
the most unmistakabIe way the fights
Of the United States expressed lii the
declaration Of that traditional policy.
In the meantime, mindful that moral
bowers unsupported BIZ physical
strength do not always avail AGAINST
s~elfishness and aggression. We have
been augmenting the forces which
command respect.
We have brought Il navy to q hfEh
state Of efficiency and have exercised
both army and navy in the hle,aads Of
~seacoast defense. The joint army and
navy board has been bringing the Two
services together In good understands
ing and the common study Of the
strategy, the preparation and The CO.
operation which will make them effec.
tive in time Of need. Our ships have
been exercised in fleet ami squadron
movements, have been impfasea in
workmanship and mobility. and have
been constantly tested by use. Since
the last national convention met we
have completed and added to cur navy
five battleships, four cruisers, four
monitors, thirty-four torpedo destroy
ers and torpedo boats; while We have
put under construction thirteen battle
ships and thirteen cruisers.
Four years ago Il army numbered
over 10000 men-regulars and vol
unteers, IS per cent of them in the
Philippines and China. Under the op-
Grafton of statutes limiting the period
OF service, it was about to la,ose back
into its old and insufficient nnmbsr
of 1000, and its old and insufficient
organization under the practical con.
troll of permanent staff departments
at Washington, with the same diyis-
ions of counsel and lack Of eoordinai.
ing and directing power at the head,
thar led to confusion and scandal in
the war with Spain. During the past
four years the lessons taught BY That
war have received practical effect. The
teachings Of Sherman anil OF linton
have been recalled and respected.
Congress has fixed a maximum Of the
army at 100000, and d minimum az
10000. SO that maintaining only the
minimum IN peace, as we now 20,
when war threatens the president
may begin preparation BY filling the
ranks 10 the maximum. without wait
Ing until after war has begun, as he
had to wait in 1898. Permanent stair
appointments have been changed "
details from the line, with compulsory
returns at fixed intervals 70 service
with troops, so that the requirements
of the field and the CAMP rather tnan
the requirements of the office desk
shall control the departments a al
ministration ana supply. Al CORDS or
~ganization has been provided for our
artillery. with a chief Of artillery at
the head, SO that there may be in
relligent nse Of our costly seacoast de.
Under the act Of February
III, 1903. d general staff has been es-
tablished, organized to suit American
conditions and requirements and ade-
auate for the performance Of the long.
neglected but ailimportant duties Of
directing military education and train
ing. and applying the most advanced
principles OF military science to that
necessary preparation for war which
is the surest safeguard Of peace. The
command Of the army now rests where
II Is placed by the constitutional
the president. His power Is exereis-
-, ,hra,,.h a military chief of staff