Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-08

be extended so that they could con-
slider general unfitneSs to command
for any cause in order to secure far
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent in the elimination of officers for
mental. physical or temperamental
disabilities. But this plan is recon-
mended only if the congress doAs not
see fit to provide what in my judg-
ment is far better-that IS, for selec-
ton in promotion and for elimination
| for age.
Now that the organized militia. the
national guard, has been Incorporated
with the army as part of the national
forces it behooves the government to
do every reasonable thing in its pow
er to perfect its efficiencv.
| A bill is now pending before the
congress creating a number of extra
officers in the army, which, IL passed,
as it ought to be, will enable more Of
/ ficerS to be trained as instructors Of
national guard and assigned to that
duty.
There should be legislation to pro-
vide a complete plan for organic
ing the great body Of volunteers be-
hind the regular army and national
guard when war has come. While
teams representing the United States
won the rife and revolver champion
ships of the world against all Corners
in England this year, it is unfortunate
ly true that the great body of our citi-
zens shoot less and less as time goes
ON.
To meet this we should encourage
: rife practice among SchoolboyS and
| indeed among all classes, as well as
in the military services. by every
, means In our power
The Navy.
I l approve the recommendations Of
the general board for the increase Of
the navy, calling especial attention to
the need of additional destroyers and
Golfers and above all. of the four bat
tleships. 1t is desirable to complete
as soon as possible a squadron Of eight
battieships of the best existing type.
The North Dakota, Delaware, Florida
and Utah will form the first division
of this squadron.
! l most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
q general staff. Thee is literally no
excuse whatever for continuing the
0 present bureau organization of the
= navy. The navy should be treated as
a purely military organization. and
everything should be subordinated to
Il the one object of securing military
S efficiency. A system Of promotion by
r merit. either by selection or by ex-
e clusion or by both processes. should be
!. introduced.
S Nothing better for the navy from
d every standpoint has ever occurred
r than the cruise of the battle feet
e around the world The Improvement
II of the ships in every way has been ex
e, traordinary, and they have gained far
p more experience In battle tactics than
- they would have gained if they had
stayed in the Atlantic waters. l dc
o not believe that there is any other
n service in the world in which the
W average of character and efficiency In
h the enlisted men is as high as is now
E. the case in our own. l believe that the
d rame statement can be made as to oul
1t officers. taken as a whole. but there
e. must be a reservation made in regard
is 20 those in the highest ranks and III
y regard to those who have just entered
the service because we do not nov
get full benefit from our excellen
IN | naval school at Annapolis.