The San Francisco call., 1908-12-09

which are already greatly depleted by
detachment of officers for assignment
to duties prescribed by acts of the
congress.
A bill is now pending before the con-
gress creating a number of extra Of
ficers in the army, which If passed, as it
ought TO be, VIII enable more officers
to be trained as instructors of national
guard and assigned to that duty. In
case OF war IL will be of the utmost
importance to have large number of
levies into good troops.
There should be legislation to provide
complete plan for organizing the
great body of volunteers behind the
regular army and national guard when
war has come Congressional assist
ance should be given those who are en-
deevoring TO promote rifle practice so
that our men, In the services or out
OF them. may know how to use the rifle.
While teams representing the United
States won the rife and revolver cham
pionShips Of the world against all COM
ers in England this year it is unfor
our citizens shoot less and less as time
goes on To meet this we should en-
courage rife practice among school
boys, and indeed among all classes, as
we'll in the military services, by
every means in our power Thus, and
not otherwise, may We be able TO as
sist In preserving the peace of the
world. Fit TO hold our own against the
strong nations of the earth our voice
for peace viii carry to the ends of the
earth Unprepared, and therefore un-
1t, we must sit dumb and helpless to
defend ourselves, protect others, or pre-
serve peace. The first step-in the di.
rection Of preparation TO avert war II
possible. and to be fit for war IL 1t
should come-is TO teach our men to
shoot.
/ approve the recommendations OF the
general board for the increase of the
navy, calling especial attention to the
81 t,.1 fagal-
liers. and above all, of the four battle
ships
It is desirable to complete as soon as
possible a squadron of eight battleships
:. of the best exist
Complete Eight iDg Dekota sSpe DeIaware 5es-gi Sa
BattIeships of Fiorida i2lg and and Utah
Delaware Type WI form the tirSt al
squadron. The four vessels proposed
viii form the second division 1t will
be an improvement on the first, the
ships being of the heavy, single caliber,
all big gun type All the vessels 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
I most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
general staff. There is literally no eN-
cuse whatever for continuing the pres
ent board organization of the navy. The
navy should be treated as q purely
military organization, and everything
should be subordinated TO the one OBJ
ject of securing military efficiency. |
Such military efficiency can only be
guaranteed In time of war If there is
the most thorough previous prepara-
tion in time OF peace-a preparation,
may add, which will in all prob
ability prevent any need Of war. The
secretary must be supreme, and he
should have as his official advisers |
body of line officers who should them
selves have the power TO pass upon and
coordinate all the work and all the pro-
posals of the several bureaus. A sys-
tenn Of promotion by merit, either by
selection or by exclusion. or by both
processes. should be introduced 1t is |
out of the question. If the present prin- |
ciple of promotion by mere seniority
is kept to expect to get the best re- |
suits from the higher officers Our men
come too old, and stay for too short
time, in the high command positions.
Two hospital ships should be .provid
ed The actual experience of the hos |
has shown the invaluable work which /
such a ship does, and has also proved |
that 1T is well to have II kept under |
the command of q medical officer. AS
was to be expected all of the anticipa- |
tions of trouble from such command
have proved completely baseless- 1t is as
absurd to put a hospital ship under a
line officer as it would be to put hos !
pital on shore under such a command. |
This ought to have been realized be- |
fore. and there is no excuse for failure I,
to realize il now.
Nothing better for the navy from
every standpoint has ever occurred |
than the cruise |
of the battle fleet !
1ruise or hieet around the world. |
tremendous Aio The Improvement |
10 our navy of the ships in !
g. every way has
been extraordinary and they have |
gained far more experience In battle /
tactics than they would have gained |
If they had stayed in the Atlantic |
waters. The American people have |