The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-22

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Imai Intervention impossible. When tbs
Roumanlan outrages and when the ap.
palling massacre AZ Klshineff. shocked
cIvillsniion, ana filed thousands OF our
own people with mourning. the protect
Of America was heard through the
voice OF It's government. with full OBJ
servanee 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 a formal decla-
ration that nothing therein contained
should be construed TO imply the re-
llinquishment 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 oc-
casion for disclaimers to the United
States OF any intention 10 seize the ter
ritory OF Venezuela, recognizing In the
most unmistakable way the rights Of
the United States expressed In the
declaration OF that traditional policy.
Physical Strength Necessary.
In the meantime, mindful that moral
powers unsupported by physical
strength do not always avail against
selflahness and aggression, we have
been augmenting 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
seacoast defense. The joint army and
navy board has been bringing the two
services together In good understand
Ing and the common study OF the STRAIT
egy. the preparation and the co-opera-
ton which will make them effective In
time OF need. Our ships have been
exercised In feet and squadron move
|ments. have been improved In marks
manship and mobility, and have been
constantly tested by use. Since the
last national convention met we have
completed and added TO our navy s
battleships, 4 cruisers, monitors. 81
torpedo destroyers and torpedo boats:
while we have put under construction
10 battleshlps and 13 cruisers.
Four years ago our army numbered
over 100000 men--regulars and volun-
teers. rs per cent OF them In the Philip
pines and China. Under the operation
OF statutes limiting the period OF serv-
Ice. II was about to lapse back into its
old and insufficient number OF $4,000,
and It's old and insufficient organization
under the practical control Of perman-
ent staff departments at Washington,
with the same divisions OF counsel and
lack OF co-ordinatlng and directing
power at the head, that led TO confusion
and scandal In the war with Spain.
During the past four years the lessons
taught by that war have received prac-
tical effect. The teachings of Sherman
and OF Upton have been recalled and
respected. Congress has fixed q maxi
mum OF the army at 100000. and a
minimum at 10000. so that maintain
ing only the minimum in peace. as we
now do, when war threatens the presi-
dent may begin preparation by filling
the ranks TO the maximum without
waiting until after war has begun. as
he had to walt In 1898. Permanent stan
appointments have been changed to-
details from the line. with compulsory
returns at fixed intervals 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 departments OF adminlstra-
tlon and supply. A corps organization
has been provided for our artillery,
with chief OF artillery at the head, so
that there may be intelligent use of
our costly seacoast defenses. Under
the act OF February II. 1908, a general
staff has been established, organized to
suit American conditions and require
ments and adequate for the perform
ance of the long-neglected but all.im-
portant duties OF directing military
education and training. and applying
the most advanced principles Of mill
tary science TO that necessary prepara-
ton for war which is the surest safe
guard Of peace. The command OF the
army now rests where Il Is placed by
the constitutional the president. His
power is exercised through military
chief OF stan pledged by the conditions
and tenure Of his Office to confidence
and loyalty to his commander. The
civilian control OF the military arm,
upon which We must always insist, is
reconclled with that military efficiency
which can be obtained only under the
direction of trained military experts.
Obsolete Military Law.
Four years ago we were living under
an obsolete militia law more than a
century old, which Washington and
Jefferson and Madison, and almost
every president since their time, had
declared to be worthless. We pre-
sented the curious spectacle Of peo-
pie depending upon a citizen soldiery
for protection against aggression, and
making practically no provision what
ever for training its citizens in the
use of warlike weapons or in the ele-
mentary duties of the soldier. The
mandate Of the constitution which re-
quired congress to provide for organ
izlng, arming and discipling the militia
had been left unexecuted. In default
Of national provisions, bodies Of state
troops, created for local purposes and
supported at local expense, had grown
up throughout the union. Their feel
ings towards the regular army were
rather OF distrust and dislike than of
Their arms, equipment
discipline, organization and methods of