The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-12-11

parture when compared with anything
which has happened among Asiatic
powers which are their own masters.
We have given the Fillpinos cocstitu--
tional government, a government based
upon justice and We have shown that
we have governed them for their good
aId not for our aggrandizement.
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 dfficult 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 govern themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when 1t 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.
Cabs.
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 to them.
Our occupation on this occasion has
lasted a little over two years, and
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
1t. 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.
Tho, 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 feet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express It's 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
seniority results In bringing into the
higher grades many men of mediocre
capacity who have but q 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 unftness to command
for any cause 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 docs not
see fit to provide what in my judg-
ment IS far better-that Is. for selec-
ton in promotion and for elimination
for age
Now that the organized militia, the
national guard, has been incorporated
with the army as part Of the national
forces it behooves the government to
do every reasonable thing in its pow
err to perfect it's efficiency.
A bill is now pending before the
congress creating q number of extra
officers in the army, which, If passed.
as it ought to be, will enable more Of
ficers to be trained as instructors Of
national guard and assigned to that
duty.
There should be legislation to pro-
vide complete plan for orgsniz-
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 corners
In England this year, it is unfortunate
ly true that the great body of our citi-
zens shoot less and less as time goes
on.
To meet this we should encourage
rifle practice among schoolboys and
indeed among all classes, as we'll as
In the military services, by every
means In our power
The Navy.
approve the recommendations Of
the general board for the increase of
the navy, calling especial attention to
the need Of additional destroyers and
GOLFERS and. above all. Of the four bat
tleships. II is desirable to complete
as soon as possible a squadron Of eight
battleships Of the best existing type.
The North Dakota. Delaware, Florida
and Utah will form the first divisions
of this squadron.
| most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
a general staff. Thee is 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 subordinated to
the one object OF securing military
efficiency. system of promotion by
merit, either by selection or by ex-
cluslon or by both processes, should be
introduced
Nothing better for the navy from
every standpoint has ever occurred
than the cruise of the battle feet
around the world The improyement