Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-10

there is the most thorough previous
4 preparation in time of peace--a prepa-
4 ration. | may add, which will in all
PROBABILITY prevent any need of war.
ne secretary must be supreme, and
he should have as his official adj.
/ V1sers body of line officers who
should themselves have the power n
pass upon and coordinate All tbe
work and all the proposals Of the sew
eral bureaus. A system of promotion
oy merit, either by selection or bv
exclusion or by both processes should
| be introduced. 1t is out of the oues-
ton, If the present principle of promo
ton by mere seniority is kept, to ex-
| pect to get the best results from the
higher officers. Our men come TOO
oid and stay far too short a time in
the high. command positions
Two hospital ships should be pro.
Vlded 1be actual experience of the
hospital ship with the fleet in the Pa
cine has shown the Invaluable work
winch such a ship does and has also
proved that it is we'll to have it kept
under the command of medical Off
GER As was to be expected, all of the
anticipations of trouble from such
command have proved completely base
less 1t is absurd to put hospital
ship under line officer as it would be
TO put a hospital on shore under such
d command. This ought to have been
realized before, aud there is no excuse
for failure t" realize it now.
Nothing better for the navy from
every standpoint has ever occurred
than the cruise of the battle feet
around the world. The Improvement
OF the ships in every way has been ex-
traordinary, and they have gained far
more experience in battle tactics thay
they would have gained if they had
stayed in the Atlantic waters. The
American people have cause for pro-
found qualification both in view of the
excellent condition Of the feet as
shown by this cruise and in. view ct
the Improvement the cruise has work
ed IN this already high condition. dc
not believe that there is any other
service in the world in which the
average OF character and efficiency in
the enlisted men is as high as is now
the case in our own. believe that the
same statement can be made as to our
officers, taken as whole, but there
must be reservation made in regard
to those in the highest ranks, as ia
which ] have already spoken, and In
regard to those who have just entered
the. service, because we do not now
get full benefit from our excellent
naval school at Annapolis.
1t is absurd not to graduate the mid.
shlpmen as ensigns. To keep them for
Two years IN such an anomalous posi-
tlou Us at present the law requires is
detrimental to them and to the service.
IN the academy itself every first class
man should be required in turn to
serve as petty officer and officer. His
ABILITY to discharge his duties as such
should be a prerequisite to his going
INTO the line, and his success in corn
handing should largely determine his
Standing at graduation. The board OF
'isitors should be appointed in Janu-
Try, and each member should be re-
luired to give at least six DAYS sery.
CO. only from one to three days to be
performed during June week, which
S the least desirable time for tue
'oard to be at Annapolis so far as
'eneftlng the navy by their obserya.
ions is concerned.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
The White House, Tuesday, Dec. 8,
1908.