The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-12-09

'A ANlp~A~N ~AACA6
powers which are their W masters.
We have given the Filipinos constitu-
tional government, a 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
prophcsy the exact date when it will
be wise to consider independence as
a fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
l again recommend that American
citizenship be conferred upon the peo-
pie Of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease i'll
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 q 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,
50 that peace and order may be Sc
cure.
The Fleets Reception.
! 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 toos strongly express it's aplre-
citation Of the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships in every
port they visited.
The Army.
AS regards the army, l call attention
to the fact that, while our junior Off
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 a short time to
serve. No man should regard it 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 untitncSs to command
for any u in order to secure a far
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent in the elimination of officers for
mental, physical or temperamental
disabilities. But this plan is recon-
mended only if the congress dons no..
see fit to provide what in my judg-
mcnt is far better-that IS, for selec-
ton in promotion and for elimination
for g
Now that the organized militia, the
national guard, has been incorporated
with the army as Il part of the national
forces 1t bchooves the government to
do every reasonable thing in its pow
er to perfect its efficiency.
a bill is now pending before the
congress creating a number of extra
officers in the army, which, If passed,
as it ought to be, will enable more of
floors IN ho troinnl &c {nSty11ct,p, ,f
national guard and assigned to that
duty.
There should be legislation to pre-
vide Il complete plan for organic
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 rifle and revolver champion.
ships of the world against all comcrs
In England this year, it is unfortunate
ly true that the great body of our citi
Zcns shoot less and less as time GOES
on.
To meet this we should encourag,
rifle practice among Schoolboys ana
indeed among all classes, as wen az
in the military services, by every
means In II power.
The Navy.
approve the recommendations o
the general board for the increase O
the navy, calling especial attention t,
the need of additional destroyers an,
Golfers and. above all. Of the -four bat
tleships. 1t is desirable to complet
as soon rs possible Il squadron OF eigh
battleships Of the best existing type
The North Dakota, Delaware, Florid
and Utah will form the first diyisio'
of this squadron.
. most earnestly recommend that tn
j, general board be by law turned int
!. q general staff. TheN is literally n
excuse whatever for continuing tn
present bureau organization Of til
I navy. The navy should be treated a
. 4 purely military organization. an
!, everything should be ~subordinated I
+ the II object Of securing militar
efficiency. \ system Of promotions b
merit, either by selection or by ~,