The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1908-12-10

well for them to become independent. 90
to continue under the protection of
strong and DISTINGUISHED power. ahlv 30
guarantee to the islands order at home
and protection from foreign invasion.
Porto Rico.
l again recommend that Amevican tr-
izcnship be conferred upon the people Of
Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In cuba our occupancy will ccaer ~
about two months time. the Cui,BS
have in orderly manner elected their own
governmental authorities. and the ISLAND
viii be turned over to them our Dsrst-
patton on this occasion has lasted q III
tie over two years and cuba has thriv-
en- and prospercd under il. Our earnest
hope and one desire ~ 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 has pcpt-
poued until 1917 the date OF the great
International exposition the action he
ing taken 50 as to insure ample time
in which 10 prepare to make the expo
sition all that II should be made The
American commissioners have visited
Japan and the postpoucmcnt VIII mere
ly give ampler opportunity fer Amcri-
ca To be represented at the exposition.
Sitinn has there been one of giCHtes
Importance than this will be marking,
as n does. the ntticth anniversary 81
the ascension to the throne OF the en-
pcror 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 an previous history
| take this opportunity publicly to
state my appreciation of the way ir
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 appTe-
citation Of the Astounding ana generous
hospitality shown our ships 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 Go
serve. No man should regard II MS his
vested right to rise to the highest rank
in the army any more than In any
other profession. 1t Is a curious and
by no means creditable fact that there
should be often failure on the
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 incompetents The
higher places should be given TO the
most deserving men without regard 70
seniority; at least seniority should he
treated as only one consideration In
the stress of modern industrial com
petition no business firm could succeed
II those responsible for its management
were chosen simply on the ground that
they were the oldest people in its en-
ploymcnt; yet this is the course advo-
Gated as regards the army, and re-
quired by law for all grades except
those of general officer. As "A 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 a 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 a far more
rigid enforcement than at present in
the elimination OF officers for mental,
physical or temperameptal disabilities
But this plan is recommended only II
the congress does not see fit TO provide
what in my judgment is far better.
that is. for selection in promotion, ana
for elimination for age Ofiicers who
fail to attain n certain rank by GER
tain age, should be retired-foI in
stance. IL man should not attain
field rank by the time he liz As he
should of course be placed on the re-
| tired list General officers should be
| selected as at present, and one-thrd
| of the other promotions should he
made by selection the selection to be
| made by the president or secretary or
| war from a list of at least two candi-
| dates proposed for each vacancy by
| 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 se-
| cure the promotion of officers to Vari-
Gus grades at reasonable ages through
| n process of selection, by boards of Of
| ficers, of the least efficient for retire
ment with percentage of their pay
| depending upon length of service The
| bill, although not accomplishing all
that should be done, is long step in
the right direction; and ] earnestly
! recommend its 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, it behooves the government 10
do every reasonable thing in it's power
to perfect it's efficiency. 1t should be
assisted in it's instruction and other
wise alneu more llDeraHy tnaH DeIclo-
core. The continuous services of many
well-trained regular officers win be
essential in this connection. A
bill is now pending before the
congress creating u number of extra
officers in the army which If passed
as ii ought to be, will enable more
officers to be trained as instructors of
National Guard and assigned TO that
duty. In case of war IL will be of the
utmost Importance to have a large
number of trained officers to use for
turning raw levies into good troops
The Navy
approve the recommendations OF
the general board for the in
crease of the navy calling especial
| attention to the need of add
tional destToyers and golfers, and above
ALL OF the four battleships. 1t is desir-
4 able TO complete soon possible a
squadron of eight battleships of the best
existing type.
most earnestly recommend that tn,
general board be by law turned into 2
general stan. There is literally no cx
cuse whatever for continuing the pres