The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1905-12-07
The Army and Navy.

same time treating of the Army and
the Navy. We now have very
small arIny-indeed, one well-nigb
niiniteslmal when compared with the
army of any other large nation. Of
course the Army we do have should
be as nearly perfect of its kind and
for Its size as possible I do not be-
heve that any army in the world has
a better average of enlisted men or
a better type of junior officers; but
the Army should be trained to act
effectively in the mass. Provision
should be made by sufficient appro-
prlatlons for mar ar-Ivers of a practi-
cal KIND so that the troops may learn
how to take care of themselves under
ACTUAL service conditions; every march
for instance. being made with the
soldier loaded exactly as he would
be In active campaign. The generals
and colonels should thereby have op-
portunity for handling regiments
brlgades, and divisions, and the com
mlsary and medical departments
would be tested in the field. Provis.
ION should be made for the exercise
at least of a brigade and by peter
ence OF a division In marching and
embarklng at some point and continu-
ing Its march, The number of posts
In which the Army is kept in time of
peace should be materially diminished
and the posts that are left made cor
respondingly large. No local inter.
ests should be allowed to stand in
the way of assembling the greater
part of the troops which would at
need form our field armies in stations
OF such size as will permit the best
training to be given to the personnel
OF all grades, including the high aft.
GERS and staff officers. To accom-.
pllsh this end we must have not com.
pany or regimental garrisons. but
brigade and division garrisons.
Admission to Statehood.
L recommend that Indian Territory
and Oklahoma be admitted as one
State and that Mexico and Arizona
be admitted as one State. There is
no obligation upon us to treat terri.
torial subdivisions, which are mat.
ters of convenience only, as bind.
ing us on the question Of admission
TO statehood.
Panama Canal.
The treatment between the United
States and the Republic of Panama,
under whaeh the construction of the
Panama Canal was made possible,
went into effect WITH its ratification
by the United States on April %,
1904, on payment of $4O,000,O0O 10
that company. On April l, 1905, the
Commission was reorganized and ii
now consists Of Theodore p. Shonts.
chairman, Admiral Mordecai Il. En-,
cott, Brig. Gen. Peter c. Hines, and
Col. Oswald H. Ernst.
The Department of State.
/ recommend more adequate pro-
vision then has been made hereto
fore for the work of the Depart
ment of State. Within a few wears
there has been very great increase
IN the amount and Importance of the
work to be done by that Department,
both III Washington and abroad. The
crease of our foreign trade, the in
crease of wealth among our people.
increase of our foreign trade,the in.
crease of American capital which is
seeking investment In foreign coun.
tries, and the growth of our power
and weight in the councils of the
civilized world.
Federal Elections.
The President touches upon the
question of Federal elections quot.
ing the we'll known constitutional
provision that Congress shall be the
final judge of the qualification of its
own members. He also declares
strongly against all forms of corrup-
ton and expresses regret at the grow
ing tendency to increase expenses in
connection with the conduct of no.
litical campaigns. BriHy, he ad.
vocates the greatest possible purity
of the ballot and the fullest free.
dom of the exercise of the elective
franchise consistent with good gov
ernment.
Immigration.
The subject of immigration is treat
ed by MIR. Roosevelt in a particular
ly able and thoughtful manner. The
tendency of foreigners to conoregate
IN sections of the country already
eongested with people is .deplorable.
Hlgh-class foreigners are desirable
and are welcomed, but only those
with tendencies toward good citizen
ship and of industrious and law -abid-
ing habits will add to the general
welfare of the nation. 1t is pointed
out that our farming sections need
labor, and that all who come with
will to work will find ready welcome
The jamestown Tercentennial.
Tins enterprise is highly commend
ed by the President, who heartily sets
the seal of his approval upon every