New-York tribune., 1908-12-09

ends of the earth. Irnprepared and therefore
unfit must sit dumb and helpless TO defend
ourselves, protect others or preserve peace The
first step-in the direction of preparation TO
avert war If possible, and to be fit for if il
shouid come-is TO teach our to shoot
1 approve the recommendation Of the General
Board for the increase of the navy calling espe-
cial attention TO the need OF
The Navy additional destr0yers and col
liers, and, above all, of the four
battleships It is desirable TO complete as soon
as possible a squadron Of eight battleshtps Of
the best existing type The North Dakota the
Delaware, the Florida and the Utah will form
the nrst division Of this squadron The four
vessels proposed viii form the second division
II VIII be an improvement the first, the ships
peIng OF the heavy, single calbre all big gun
tactical qualities-that is, speed and turning
circle-and near as possible these tactical
qualues should be the same as IN the four
vessels before named now being built.
most earnestly recommend that the general
board be by Law turned into general stan.
There is literally excuse whatever for con-
tnuing the present bureau organization Of the
navy. The navy should be treated as a purely
military organization. and everything should be
subordinated 10 the one object Of securing mill
tary efficiency. Such military efficiency can
only be guaranteed in time Of war if there IS
the most thorough previous preparation in time
of peace-a preparation. 1 may add which VIII
in all probability prevent any need OF war. Ihe
Secretary must be supreme and he should nave
as his official advisers q body or une oHlcerS
who should themselves have the power TO pass
upon and coordinate all the work and all the
proposals Of the several bureaus. A system OF
promotion by merit, either by selection or by
exclusion, or by both processes. should be intro
dured II is ont Of the question. II the present
principle Of promotion by mere seniority Is kept,
10 expect TO get the best results from the higher
officers Our men come too old, and stay for
too short time, IN the high command positions.
Two hospital ships should be provided The
actual experience of the hospital ship with the
feet in the Pacific has shown the invaluable
work which such ship does, ana mas aiso
proved that II is well 70 have IL kept under the
command Of e medical officer As was to be
expected. all Of the anticpatons Of trouble from
less. L is absurd TO put hospital ship under
a line officer as IT would be to put hospital on
have been realized before, and there Is no excuse
for failure 10 realize IL now
Nothing better for the navy from every stand
point has ever occurred than the cruise Of the
battle feet around the world The Improvement
of the ships in every way has been extraordi-
nary. and they have gained far more experience
battle tactics than they would have gained II
they had stayed in the Atlantic waters The
American people have cause for profound gTatl-
hcation- both in view OF the excellent condition
OF the fleet shown by this cruise, and IN
view OF the Improvement the cruise mas worked
in this already high condition do not believe
that there is any other service IN the world IN
which the average Of character and efficiency IN
the enlisted men is as high is now the case
in our own I believe that the same statement
can be made as TO our officers. taken as a whole;
but there must be reservation made in regard
70 those in the highest renks-as to which l
have already spoken-and in regard to those
who have just entered the service; because we
90 not now get fuN benefit from our excellent
naval school at Annapolis. L is absurd not 10
graduate the midshipmeD as enslSns; u keep
them for TWO years IN such an anomalous posi-
ton as at present the law requires is detrimental
TO them and TO the service. In the academy
itself. every first class man should be required
in turn 10 serve as petty officer and officer; his
ability to discharge his duties such should
be prerequisite 10 his going into the line, and
his success in commanding should largely deter
mine his standing at graduation The board of
visitors should be appointed in January, and
ea ach member should he required 70 give at least
six days service, only from one TO three days .
TO be performed during June week which IS the
least desirable time for the board 20 be at An
napoIis so far as benchting the navy by their
observations Is concerned.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House Tuesday. December 8, 1903. /