The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-12-08

pnrture when compared with anything
which has happened among Aslatic
powers which are their own masters.
We have given the Eiliplnos sonsttu-
tional government, government based
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 inexorabIe logic OF
facts shows that this government
must be supplied by us and not by
them. We must be wise aud gener'
Gus. We must help the Fllipinos 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, IL they are able, learn
to govefn themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when 1t will
be wise to consider independence as
fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
1 again recommend that American
citizenship be conferred upon the peo.
pie of Porto Rico. E
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 20 them.
Our occupation ON this occasion has
lasted q little over two years, aud
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
1t. Our earnest hope aud one desire
is that the people of the island shall
now govern themselves with justice,
so that peace and order may be Sc.
cure.
The Fleets Reception.
l 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
America the battle fleet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express its appre-
citation of the abounding ana generous
hospitality shown our ships IN every
port they visited.
tt" The Army.
AS regards the army, T. call attention
to the fact that, while our junior OH
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 shoulG
be extended so that they could con.
slider general untitness to command
for any cause in order TO secure far
more rigid enforcement than ut pres
ent in the elimination of officers for
mental, physical or ,temperamental
disabilities. But this plan Is recon-
mended only If the congress docs not
see fit to provide what In my judg-
ment Is far better-that is, for selec-
tion In promotion ana for elimination
for age.
Now that the organized militia, the
national guard, has been Incorporated
with the army asa part of the national
forces It behooves the government to
do every reasonable thing In Its pow
er to perfect Its efficiency.
A bin Is now pending before the
congress creating Il number of extra
officers In the army, which. II passed.
as 1t ought 10 be, will enable more Of
licers to be trained as instructors OF
national guard and assigned to that
duty.
There should be legislation to pro-
vide a complete plan for organlz-
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 comers
In England this year. 1t il unfortunate
ly true that the great body of our citl-
zens shoot less and less as time goes
on. ~ -tf..
To meet this we should encourage
rifle practice among schoolboys and
indeed among all classes, as well rs
In the military services. by every
means In our power
The Navy. e
i approve the recommendations of
the general board for the Increase Of
the navy, calling especial attention to
the need Of additional destroyers and
colliers aud. above all, of the four bat
tleships. II IS desirable to complete
as soon as possible squadron of eight
battleships of the best existing type.
The North Dakota, Delaware, Florida
and Utah Will form the first division
of this squadron.
most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
general staff The~ IL literally no
excuse whatever for continuing the
present bureau organization OF the
navy. The navy should be treated as
purely military organization. and
everything should be subordlnated to
the one object OF securing military
efficiency. A system of promotion by
merit either by selection or by ex-
clusion or by both processes should be
introduced