Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-05

Spanish war showed the lamentable
loss of life, the useless extravaganza
and the inefficiency certain to result, If
during peace the high officials of the
war and navy departments are praised
and rewarded only if they save money
at no matter what cost to the efficiency
of the service, and if the higher Off
GERS are given no chance whatever to
exercise and practice command. For
years prior to the Spanish war the
secretaries of war were praised chiefly
il they practiced economy; which econ
omy, especially in connection with the
quartermaster, commissary and medi-
cal departments, was directly respon-
sible for most of the Encouragement
that occurred in the war itself-and
parenthetically be it observed that the
very people who clamored for the mis-
directed economy in the first place
were foremost to denounce the mis-
management loss and suffering which
were primarily due to this same mis-
directed economy and to the lack of
preparation t. involved. There should
soon be an Increase in the number OF
men for our coast defenses; these men
should be of the right type and prop
erly trained; and there should there
fore be an increase of pay for certain
skilled grades, especially in the coast
artillery. Money should be appropriat-
ed TO permit CTOOpS W ue HidSSSu III
body and exercised in maneuvers, par
ticularly in marching. Such exercise
during the summer just passed has
been of incalculable benefit to the army
and should under no circumstances be
discontinued. If on these practice
marches and in these maneuvers elder
ly officers prove unable to bear the
strain, they should be retired at once,
for the fact is conclusive as to their
unfitness for war; that is, for the only
purpose because of which they should
be allowed to stay in the service. 1t
is a real misfortune to have scores
of small company or regimental posts
scattered throughout the country; the
army should be gathered in few
brigade or division posts; and the
generals should be practiced in hand
| ling the men in masses. Neglect to
provide for all of this means to incur
| the risk of future disaster and dis"
grace.
Staff and Board
The readiness and efficiency of both
the army and navy in dealing with
the recent sudden crisis in Cuba IL
lustrate afresh their value to the ma
ton This readiness and efficiency
would have been very much less had
1t not been for the existence of the
general staff in the army and the gen.
eral board in the navy; both are es-
sential to the proper development and
use of our military forces afioat and
ashore. The troops that were sent to
Cuba were handled fawlessly. 1t was
the swiftest mobilization and dispatch
of troops over sea ever accomplished
by our government. The expedition
landed completely equipped and ready
for immediate service, several of its
organizations hardly remaining in Ha-
vana over night before splitting up
;pto Oh ohY &c oOinp tn their
several posts. 1t was a fine demon
stration of the value and efficiency of
the general staff. Similarly, 1t was
owing in large part to the general
board that the navy was able at the
outset to meet the Cuban crisis with
such instant efficiency; ship after ship
appearing on the shortest notice at
any threatened point, while the marine
corps in particular performed indis-
pensable service. The army and navy
war colleges are of incalculable value
to the two services, and they coop
crate with constantly increasing eff
cheney and Importance.
The congress has most wisely pro-
yided for a national board for the
promotion of rifle practice. Excellent
results have already come from this
law, but it does not go far enough.
Our regular army is so small that in
any great war we should have to trust
mainly to volunteers and in such
event these volunteers should already
know how to shoot; for if a soldier
has the fighting edge and ability to
take care of himself in the open his
efficiency on the line of battle is almost
directly proportionate to excellence in
craftsmanship. We should establish
shooting galleries in all the large pub
lie and military schools, should main
tain national target ranges in different
parts of the country and should in
every way encourage the formation of
rifle clubs throughout all parts of the
land. The little republic of Switzer-
land offers us an excellent example in
all matters connected with building
up an efficient citizen soldiery
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House, Dec. 3, 1906.
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