The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-12-10

South AmeflHA. ASIA tliN 4 vs.. ~
and Australasia may be established.
Hawaii.
call particular attention 20 the Ter
rltory ~ Hawaii The Importance OF
those islands IL apparent. ana the nced
OF improving their condition ana de-
veloping their resources IL urgent
The Philippines.
Real progress toward seif-governmens
IL being made In the Philippine Islands.
I trust that within a generation
the lime win arrive when the philippines
can decide for themselves whether II Is
well for them to become independent or
TO continue under the protection or
strong and dlsinterested power, able TO
guarantee to the islands order at home
and protection from foreign Invasion
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American cit
lzcnship be conferred upon the people OF
Porto Rico.
Cuba
In Cuba our occupancy will cease In
about two months time; the Cubans
have in orderly manner elected their own
governmental authorities, and the island
will be turned over to them our occu-
patton on this occasion has lasted Ut
tle over two years. and Cuba has thriN-
en- and prospered under It. Our earnest
hope and one desire Is that the people
OF the island shall now govern them
selves with justice. so that peace ana or
der may be secure.
Japanese Exposition.
The Japanese government mas post
poned until 1917 the date OF the great
international exposition. the action be-
ing taken so as to insure ample time
in which to prepare to make the expo
sition all that II should be made. The
American commissioners have visited
Japan and the postponement viii mere
iy give ampler opportunity for Ameri-
ca to be represented at the exposition
Not since the first International expo
sition has there been one of greater
Importance than this will be. marking.
as Il does the hftieth anniversary OF
the ascension to the throne OF the em-
peror OF Japan. The extraordinary
leap to the foremost place among the
nations OF the world made by japan
during this half century Is something
unparalleled In all previous history.
I take this opportunity publicly TO
state my appreciation OF the way In
which in Japan. in Australia, In New
Zealand. and in all the states of South
America. the battle fleet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world The American government
citation OF the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our shipa In every
port they visited.
The Army.
As regards the army call attention
to the fact that while our junior ON
GERS and enlisted men stand very high,
the present system OF promotion by
seniority results In bringing into the
higher grades many men Of mediocre
capacity who have but short time TO
serve No man should regard II as his
vested right to rise TO the highest rank
in the army any more than In any
other profession. II Is a curious and
by no means creditable fact that there
should he so often a failure on the
part OF the public and It's representa-
lives to understand the great need.
from the standpoint OF the service and
the nation. OF refusing to promote re-
spectacle. elderly incompetents. The
higher places should be given to the
most deserving men without regard to
seniority; at least seniority should be
treated as only one consideration. In
| the stress OF modern Industrial COM
petition no business Arm could succeed
| IL those responsible for It's management
| were chosen simply on the ground that
| they were the oldest people in Its em-
! ployment. yet this IL the course advo-
Gated as regards the army and re-
dulred by law for all grades except
those OF general Officer. AS a matter
of fact all OF the best officers In tho
highest ranks OF the army are those
who have attained their present posi-
| ton wholly or In part by process OF
selection.
The scope OF retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
| slider general unfitness TO command for
any cause. In order to secure far more
| gid enforcement than at present In
| the elimination OF officers Cor mental
| physical or temperamental disabilities
| But this plan Is recommended only II
the congress does not see Mt 10 provide
| what In my Judgment Is far better
that U.s. for selection In promotion. and
| for elimination for age. Officers who
fail to attain certain rank by a GER
tain age. should be retlred-for in
| stance. N a man should not affair
field rank by the time he Is 10 h,
should OF course be placed on the re.
| tired list General officers should b,
selected az at present, and one-thirC
OF the other promotions should be-
made by selection. the selection to b'
| made by the president or secretary o
war from list OF at least two eandi
dates proposed for each vacancy by
board OF officers from the arm OF tn,
service from which the promotion Il
TO be made. A bill Is now before IN,
congress having for its object 10 Sc
cure the promotion of officers TO vari
GUS grades at reasonable ages through
| n process OF selection, by boards OF OF
ncers. OF the least efficient for retire
ment with a percentage OF their pa,
depending upon length OF service. Tn
BILL although not accomplishing al
that should be done. Is a long step Il
the right direction; and / earnestl,
recommend its passage. or that Of
.lata al a. al
National Guard.
Now that the organized militia. IN
National Guard has boen Incorporate,
with the army as n part OF the nationa
forces II behooves the government &
TO perfect Its efficiency. II should b
assisted in its instruction and other
wise aided moro literally than hereto
fore. The continuous services OF man
well-trained regular officers Will b
essential In this connection
I c0ngfess- cTe1Ong 4 number OF cXfri
officers In the army which II passed
as II ought to be. viii enable NOR
officers 10 he trained as instructors o
National Guard and assigned to tina
duty In case OF war Il win be OF IN
utmost Importance 10 have larg
number or trained officers TO use 10
turning raw levies into good troops.
The Navy.
approve the recommendation q
the general board for the In
crease Of the navy. calling especia
attention TO the need OF add
tonai destroyers and golfers. ana abov
all, OF the four battleships. II is deslI
able to complete as soon as possible
squadron Of eight battleships OF the bef
existing type