Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-09

position will ntly commemorate and
sisnalize the giant progress that has
ever been held In Asia. The United
States, because Of the ancient friend.
ship between the two peoples, because
each of US fronts on the Pacific. and
because OF the growing commercial
relations between this country and
| Asia. takes a peculiar interest in see
ing the exposition made q success In
every way. '~i
take this opportunity to state my
| appreciation OF the way in which In
Japan. in Australia. in New Zealand.
and In all the States of South Amer!.
ca. the battle feet has been received
on its practice voyage around the
| world. The American Government
can not too strongly express its ap-
probation OF the Astounding and gen
| erous hospitality shown our ships in
every por, they visited.
The Army.
AS regards the Army | call atten-
ton to the fact that while our junior
officers and enlisted men stand very
high. the present system OF promotion
l'by seniority results in bringing into
| the higher grades many men OF med
iOcre capacity who have but a 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. 1t is
curious and by no means creditable
fact that there should be so often a
failure ON the part OF the public and
its representatives to understand the
no -
the service and the Nation. OF refus,
ing to promote respectable elderly
| incompetents. The higher places
should be given to the most deserv-
ing men without regard to seniority:
at least seniority should he treated
as only one consideration. In the
stress OF modern Industrial competi-
ton no business firm could succeed IL
those responsible for it's management
were chosen simply on the ground
that they were the Oldest people in
Its employment: YET this is the course
advocated as regards the army, and
required 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
h" extended so that thew could con.
slider general unfitness to command
Tor any cause. in order to secure
FAR more rigid enforcement than at
present in the elimination of officers
for mental. physical or Temperament
tai disabilities. But this plan is re-
commended only II the Congress does
not see fit to provide what in my
Judgment Is far better: that is. for
selection in promotion. and for elimi.
nation for age.
The cavalry arm should be reorgan-
lied upon modern lines. This is an
arm in which 1t is peculiarly neces-
sary that the field officers should not
be old.
National Guard.
Now that the organized militia, the
National Guard, has been incorporated
with the army as a part Of the ma
tfonal forces. 1t behooves the Gov
eminent to do every reasonable thing
In its power to perfect its efficiency.
1t should be assisted in its instruc-
ton and otherwise aided more liberal.
ly than heretofore.
The Navy
l approve the recommendations OF
| the General Board for the increase
OF the Navy. calling especial atten-
ton to the need Of additional destroy
ers and golfers. and above ALL Of
| the four battleships. 1t Is desirable
l n Loft
squadron Of eight tattleships OF the
best existing type The North Da-
kota, Delaware. Florida. and Utah
4 will form the first division OF this
squadron The four vessels proposed
will form the second division. It will
be an improvement on the first, the
ships being OF the heavy, single CALI
bre. all big gun type. Ali the YES
sells should have the same tactical
qualities. that Is. speed and turning
circle. and as near as possible these
tactical qualities should be the same
as Is in the four vessels before nam
ed now being built.
most earnestly recommend that
into General StaR. There Is lit
orally no excuse whatever for con-
tinuing the present bureau organiza-
ton OF the Navy. The Navy should
be treated as purely military or
Sanization. and everything should be
subordinated to the one object Of Sc
curing military efficiency. Such mill.
tary efficiency can only be guaran-
teed In time Of war II there is the
most thorough previous preparation In
time Of peace-a preparation. I may
add. which will In all probability pre-
vent sny need Of war. The Secretary
Il st he supreme. and he should have
a. his onicia! advisers a body Of line
officers who should themselves have
the power to pass upon and coordi-
nate all the work and all the propos-
ais Of the several bureaus. A sys-
TEN Of promotion by merit, either by