The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1908-12-12

wen for them to become Independent, or
TO continue under the protection of ~
strong and disinterested power, able to
guarantee to the Islands order at home
and protection from foreign invasion.
Porto Rico.
again recommend that American cit
izenship 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 a lit
tie over two years, and Cuba has thriv-
en- and prospered under II. Our earnest
hope and one desire Is that the people
OF the island shall now govern them
selves with justice, so that peace and or
der may be secure,
Japanese Exposition.
The Japanese government has 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 IL should be made. The
American commissioners have visited
Japan and the postponement will mere
ly 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 fiftieth 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.
1 take this opportunity publicly to
Ell 20 Of la 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
can not 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 I call attention
to the fact that while our 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 II as his
vested right to rise to the highest rank
in the army any more than in any
other profession. 1t is n curious and
by no means credtable fact that there
part of the public and its representa-
tives to understand the great need,
from the standpoint of the service and
the nation, of refusing TO promote re-
spectacle, elderly Incompetence Tho
higher places should be given to tho
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 firm could succeed
/ II those responsible for it's management
were chosen simply on the ground that
| they were the oldest people in its en-
| ployment: yet this is the course advo-
Gated as regards the army. and re-
| qulred by law for all grades except
| those of general officer. AZ matter
OF fact all of the best officers in the
| 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 unftness to command for
| any cause. in order to secure far more
| rigid enforcement than at present in
the elimination of officers for mental.
| physical or temperamental disabilities.
| But this plan is recommended only IL
| the congress does not see fit to provide
| what in my judgment Is far better.
that is, for selection in promotion, and
fail to attain "A certain rank by a GER
tain age. should be retired-for in
| stance, IL man should not attain
field rank by the time he is As he
should of course be placed on the re-
tired list. General officers should be
selected as at present, and one-thlrd
of the other promotions should be
made by selection. the selection to be
| made by the president or secretary of
war from list of at least two candi-
dates proposed for each vacancy by a
board of officers from the arm of the
service from which the promotion is
to be made. A bill Is now before the
congress having for its object to Sc
cure the promotion OF officers to vari-
Gus grades at reasonable ages through
n process OF selection, by boards of Of
fcers, of the least efficient for retire
mont with n percentage of their pay
depending upon length of service. The
bill, although not accomplishing all
that should be done, IL long step In
the right direction; and | earnestly
recommend it's passage, or that of a
more completely effective measure.
National Guard.
Now that the organized militia. the
National Guard, has been incorporated
with the army as "A part OF the national
| forces, II behooves the government Ia
do every reasonable thing in Its power
to perfect its efficiency. II should be
assisted In it's instruction and other.
wise aided more literally than hereto
fore. The continuous services OF many
well-trained regular officers viii b,
essential in this connection.
bill Is now pending before thu
congress creating a number of extrs
officers in the army. which II passed
as IL ought to be, will enable more
officers to be trained as instructors OF
National Guard and assigned to that
duty In case OF war II will be of tn,
utmost Importance to have larg,
number OF trained officers to use fol
turning raw levies into good troops.
The Navy.
approve the recommendations o.
the general board for the in
crease OF the navy, calling especia
attention to the need of add
tional destroyers and GOLFERS and abov,
all, OF the four battleships. 1t Is deslr
able to complete as soon as possible
squadron OF eight battleships of the hes