The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-04


 teen battleships are going under the command of Rear Admiral Evans. while eight armored cruisers and two other battleships will meet him at san Fran cisco. whither certain torpedo destroy CTS are also going. No fleet of such size has ever made-such voyage, and 1t will be of very great educational use to all engaged in 1t.
 bespeak the most liberal treatment for the officers and enlisted men of the navy. It is true of them. as likewise of the officers and enlisted men of the army, that they form body whose in terests should be close to the heart of every good American. In return the most rigid performance of duty should be exacted from them. The reward should be ample when they do their best; and nothing less than their best should be tolerated. It. is idle to hope for the best results when the men in the senior grades come to those grades in them.' Up to the rank of lieutenant commander promotion in the navy should be as now, by seniority, sub ject, however, to such rigid tests as grade of licutenant-command that is, when we come to the grade of com mand rank. the unfit should be elimi- conspicuously fit would remain, and sea service should be principal test of fitness. Those who are passed by should. after a certain length of ser vice in their respective grades, be re- may well be that almost all would make good lieutenants and most of them good lieutenant-commnnd while only minority will be fit to be captains, and but three or four to be admirals. Those who object to promol ton otherwise than by mere seniority should reflect upon the elementary fact that no business in private life could be successfully managed if those who en-. ter at the lowest rungs of the ladder sh hould each in turn. if he lived, become the head of the firm, it's active director, ton a few months. On It's face such a scheme is an absurdity. Chances for improper favoritism can be minimized by properly formed board; such as the board of last June. which did such conscientious and excellent work in elimination.
 If all that ought to be done can not now be done. at least let beginning messaEes. me S" and m m in a ss special % message u to the last Congress, the necessity for leg islation that will cause officers of the line of the navy to reach the grades of captain and rear admiral at less ad- vanced ages and which will cause them to have more sea training and experi- ence In the highly responsible duties of those grades, so that they may become thoroughly skillful in handling battle
 
 action, has been fully explained and urgently recommended. Upon this sub ject the Secretary of the Navy has sub- mitted detailed and definite recommen- proval, and which, if enacted into law, will accomplish what Is immediately necessary, and will, as compared with than five millions, of dollars during the next seven years The navy personnel act of 1899 has accomplished all that was expected of 1t in providing satis- 1Si0iS erSi subordinate S " grades, from s 't the grade of ensign to the grade of lieu Tenant t-commander, but the law Is in- adequate in the upper grades and will continue to be inadequate on account of the expansion of the personnel since its snacsment;.
 Foreign Affairs.
 Tn foreign affairs this country's steady policy is to behave toward other nations as a strong and self-respecting man should behave toward the other men with whom he Is brought into con- tact Jn other WorasS ,Se our rstnns am IS hare 9sdr such help can be wisely given, without the appearance of meddling with what does not concern us; to be careful to act as a good neighbor and at the same time, in good-natured fashion. to make 1t evident that we do not intend to be imposed upon; -
 The Hague.
 The second International Peace Com ference was convened at The Hague on the 18th of June last and remained in session until the 18th of October. For the first time the representatives of practically all the civilized countries of the world united in a temperate and kindly discussion of the methods by which the causes of war might be mar rowed and it's injurious effects reduced
 Although the agreements reached in the Conference did not in any direction go te the leEth or d fer ty the more sanguine. yet in many directions important steps were taken. and upon every subject on the pfo- gram there was such full and con%iderate discussion as to justify the belief that sub stautial progress has been made toNard further agreement in the future. Thirteen the definite conclusions which nal been reached. and resolutions were adopted marking the progress made in matte s III or which agreement was not yet sufficiently complete to make conventions practicable.
 The delegates of the United States were instructed to favor an agreement for obliga- tory arbitration to proceed judicially In the hearing and decision of International causes the prohibition of force for the collection of contract debts alleged to be due from goArnments to citizens of other countries until after arbitration as to the Justice and amount Of the debt and the time and man ner of payment, the immunity of private property at the better definition Of the rights of neutrals and, in case any measure to that end should be introducedt the limit ation of armaments.
 Tn the field of peaceful disposal of inter national differences several important ad- vances were made. First as te oolsatory arbitration. Although the Conference fall ed to secure a unanimous agreement upon the details of a convention for obligatory arbitration 1t did resolve as follows;
 Tt Is unanimous CD in accepting the principle for obligatory arbitration; @ Tn declaring that certain differences, and nota-