Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-12-03
BIG CHANGES ARE
EXPECTED IN
The NAVY


Being Satisfied; The Change
in the Army
Especial Correspondence to Morning Iouruall
Washington u. g.. Nov. 27.-There
are indications that before President
Roosevelt goes out of office. there will
be inaugurated changes in the navy
probably as substantial as those made
in the organization Of the army. The
army, as most readers know. Is a very
different establishment from what IL
was when President Roosevelt came
into office. The old generals of the
army. with Miles at their head, fought
bitterly against the change. and for
a while were able 10 prevent ltglsla-
tive enactment carrying IL into cf-
feet. But the president, ably assisted
by Secretary Root. or Secretary Root
ably assisted by the PRECEDENT, which
ever II was. llnallN succeeded in Sc
curing the legislation and most radi-
cal changes rave been made with
evident salutarv results. For while
ten years ago, when it was necessary
to send an armY to cuba. the muster
ing and embarkatiou was accomplish
ed only after long delay and at enor-
nous expense and with great lack OF
effectiveness, more recently. when an
army was sent to Cuba to rorcstall
IN Instruction, it was done with all
most automatic celebrity and smooth
ness.
The president knows something of
the navy, He was assistant secretary
of the naval adjustment at the be-
ginning of the war with Spain, ana
he served in the army and doubtless
got impressions during the time that
he was colonel of the Rough Riders.
and for Il short time acting b|rigadisl
general on the island.
The navy. no doubt. needs over
hauling and lec~onstructlug quite .
much as did the army. Becoustrup-
ton in both cases was and is need
ed mainly with TIE official person
mel The old Latin maxim THE
times are changed and we must
change with them" is good, but it is
very difficult for old fogies to keep
up with the CELEBRITY of the times in
changes. The European armies are
more modern, up-to-datc and fit in
certain ways than ours and for the
best reason, There is sharp compc-
tition between the armies of France.
and Germany. Austria, Italy, Russia
and Great Britain. In some of these
countries, only their geographical lines
divide the different armies and they
have to maintain a perpetual war
standing. 1t Is the same in a lesser
degree with their navies.
1t Will be remembered when our
great fleet started on its cruise
around the world. it was accompanied
by a marine artist. Mr. EoutcrIahl.
After the fleet hal ioUnicd the cyps
and had touched at certain ur the
western ports of South America. a
sensational article on letter from Mr.
Itcutcrdahl was published, m winch
he severely criticized the position OF
the Arnlor belts of the war vessels.
PROMPT and positive protests came
from the old naval officers sitting at
their desks in the navy department.
ana the matter was subject to much
discussion, the younger OF the off
GERS of the navy. as a rule taking
Mr.. Rcuterdahls view and the older
officers insisting that our ships are
the best in the world ana are as near
~ perfect as can be. Now the young
CT officers appear to have the upper
hand and their ideas will prevail in
future construction in the navy.
The presidents desire. and one may
say passion. for NOR n bigger
ships is known everywhere. He wants
a fleet of ships in each ocean and be-
ilcNes that VIII this equipment when
the Panama ANA is completed. the
United States may look forward to
years of peace ana security. The
IS lacking in submarines, in de-
stroyers in golfers. The old ships
should be replaced with new and up
to-datc dreaduaughts.
1t is the presidents wish and Will
doubtless be the policy Of his sue
'essor to keep the ships i'm continu-
pus training. The youuE graduates
n the naval academy at Annapolis,
Nho have heretofore been distinguish
I'd chiefly in the bathrooms of Wash
ngton, New York. Newport and other
of the United Starcs. viii be
'Npcctcd to remain at sea practical. 8
the time
The president Is reported to have p
aid that there are only a few mill .
AIRY rifles i'm the whole country. anil q,
hat if an army of two thousand men
to land ON our coast We would r.
nothing to fight them with but I
'itcnforks ANA shotguns. This, per-
is an cN~aegeraticn. but il is tha
Presidents way of expressing our uu-
Preparedness to meet a powerful
1odcrnly equipped army. The prcsi-
ent wants young men i'm the uJtt l-
as i'm tho army and ho praises 10
.ithout stint those young. progressive %
~ftiCcTS like Commanders Key aud q
inns. He has often said that the late 81
ar has done more for target practi.. 4
any other man in tho United S
tates, and that it Is chiefly due tn r.,
is efforts that american sailors shoot ,
$ we'll as thry do. '
Our ships -uuk the Spanish I'ut'- Ii
is at Manila and Santiago. almost 81
ithout tho loss OF a man. ana iuIa Of
apparently brilliant enough. but 90
hen it is considered hat only a lrE lt
rot 81 tho thousands fired etIu.E
cnomN's vessels. on % perfectly i
ear day and 900 a placid -,I. OBJ. 49,
'cumplishmcut was not ono tnHt vi
mlrh-manship could nv So
Of as
4 condition Us anticipated when nuf 800
lips viii Doe called upon tu meet re-
u the old. half obsolete vessels chat IN
ewey and sampson fought m Mac ,.
Ma bay and uff Santiago. but mod =,
n ships manned by crews ass brave. p,
determined and as skilful as our '-
yu.
- l
China Approves Agreement
4 ...,E.. H.. "a .Ffar.sf.L TN fhl NJ