The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-12-09


parture when compared with anything
which has happened among Asiatic
powers which are their own masters.
We have given the Filipinos constitu-
tional government, government based
upon justice, and we have shown that
we have governed them for their good
and not for our ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
AT the present time, as during the
past ten years, the memorable logic OF
facts shows that this government
must be supplied by us and not by
them. We must be wise and gener-
Gus. We must help the Filipinos 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, if they are able, learn
to govern themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when it will
be wise to consider independence as
a fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American
citizenship be conferred upon the peo-
pie of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease III
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 occupation on this occasion has
lasted a little over two years, and
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
it. Our earnest hope and 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.
I 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 feet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot 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, call attention
to the fact that, while our junior off,
GERS and enlisted men stand very high,
the present system of promotion by
l 70 In, hv{r {,{o 1,o
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 should
be extended so that they could con
slider general unfitness to command
for any cause in order to secure a fal
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent In the elimination Of officers FOL
mental, physical or temperament
disabilities. But this plan is recon
mended only IL the congress does no
see At to provide what in my judg
ment Is far better-that Is, for selec
ton III promotion and for elimination
for age.
II Now that the organized militia, tn,
national guard, has been incorporated
; with the army as part Of the nationa
forces it behooves the government t
do every reasonable thing In Its pow
, er to perfect its efficiency.
bill is now pending before tn
, congress creating number of extr
officers In the army, which. IL passed
as 1t ought to be, will enable more OF
f1cers to be trained as instructors Q
national guard and assigned to tina
!. duty.
There should be legislation to Pre-
vide complete plan for organic
ing the great body of volunteers be
hind the regular army and nationi
guard when war has come. Will
. teams representing the United State
Won the rifle and revolver champion
ships of the world against all conner
; In England this year, it is unfortunate
: ly true that the great body of our cit
zens shoot less and less as time goe
on.
To meet this we should encourae
( rltle practice among schoOlboys an
!: indeed among all classes, as we'll :
o in the military services, by ever
s means in our power
/. The Navy.
$ approve the Recommendations {
e the general board for the increase
u the navy, calling especial attention
4 the need of additional destroyers an
Golfers and, above all, of the four ba
tlesllips. 1t is desirable TO compile
/ as soon rs possible Il squadron of oigl
e battleships Of the best existing typ
e The North Dakota. Delaware F'loril
l. and Utah will form the first diyfsio
II of this squadron.
y most earnestly recommend thatti
> general board be by law turned I'M
i a genera staff. Theo is literally j,
< excuse whatever for continuing q
( present bureau organization of Il