Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-12-11


which has happened among Asiatlc
powers which are their own masters.
We have given the FilHinos constitu-
tional government, government 0ased
upon justice, and we have shown that
we have governed them for their good
and not for our aggrandizement.
At the present time, as during the
past ten years, the memorable logic of
facts shows that this government
must be supplied by us and not by
them. We must be wise and gener-
Gus. We must help the Filipinos to
master the difficult art Of self con-
troll, which is simply another name for
self government But we cannot give
them self government save In the
sense of governing them so that grad
ually they may. if they are able, learn
to govern themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when it will
be wise to consider independence as
a fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
l again recommend that American
citizenship be conferred upon the peo-
pie of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease ia
about two months time The Cubans
have in orderly manner elected their
own governmental authorities, and the
island viii be turned over to them.
Our occupation on this occasion has
lasted a little over two years, and
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
| Il orir
is that the people of the island shall
now govern themselves with justice,
so that peace and order may be Sc
/ cure.
Tho Fleets Reception.
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
Americas the battle feet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express its appre-
citation of the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships in every
port they visited.
The Army.
AS regards the army. call attention
to the fact that while cur junior off,
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 1t as
his vested right to rise to the highest
rank in the army any more than in
any other profession.
The scope of retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
slider general unftness 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 II the congress does 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 1t behooves the government to
, er to perfect its efficiency.
A bill is now pending before the
congress creating a number Of extra
officers in the army, which, II passed.
as 1t ought to be, will enable more Of
flcers to be trained as instructors of
national guard and assigned to that
duty.
. There should be legislation to pro-
vide 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 rifle and revolver champion
ships of the world against all corners
r n England .Aie J>a-. :. = sasss.saass
~ true that the great body of our citi-
= zens shoot less and less as time goes
y on.
4 To meet this we should encourage
rifle practice among schoolboys ard
indeed among all classes, as we'll as
: In the military services. by every
). means in our power.
+ Tho Navy.
q l approve the recommendations Of
= the general board for the increase Of
n the navy, calling especial attention to
the need of additional destroyers and
q GOLFERS and, above all. of the four bat
tleships. 1t is desirable to complete
as soon as possible a squadron of eight
battleships Of the best existing type.
!, The North Dakota. Delaware, Florida
:. and Utah will form the hrst division
= of this squadron.
| most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned INTO
a general STAFF. Thes is literally no
II excuse whatever for continuing the
s. present bureau organization of the
" navy. The navy should be treated as
II a purely military organization. and