The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-08
same as is in the four vessels before

same as is in the four vessels before
named now being built.
l most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
a general staff. There 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. Such military efficiency can
only be guaranteed in time of war if
there is the most thorough previous
preparation in time of peaee-a prepa-
ration, / may add, which will in all
probability prevent any need of war.
The secretary must be supreme. and
he should have as his official ad
visers body of line officers who
should themselves have the power TO
pass upon and coordinate all the
work and all the proposals of the sew
eral bureaus. A system of promotion
by merit. either by selection or by
exclusion or by both processes, should
be introduced. 1t is out Of the Ques-
ton, if the present principle of promo
ton by mere seniority is kept. TO ex
pect to get the best results from the
higher officers. Our men come too
old and stay far too short a time in
the high command positions.
Two hospital ships should be pro-
vided. The actual experience of the
hospital ship with the fleet in the Pa
cific has shown the invaluable work
which such a ship does and has also
proved that it is we'll to have it kept
under the command of medical Off
Ger. AS was to be expected, all of the
command have proved completely base
less. 1t is absurd to put hospital
ship under a line officer as it would be
to put a hospital on shore under such
a command. This ought to have been
realized. before, and there is no excuse
for failure t" realize it now.
Nothing better for the navy from
every standpoint has ever occurred
than the cruise of the battle fleet
around the world. The Improvement
of the ships in every way has been ex-
traordinary. and they have gained far
more experience in battle tactics than
stayed in the Atlantic waters. The
American people have cause for pro-
found qualification both in view of the
excellent condition of the fleet as
| shown by this cruise and in view of
! the Improvement the cruise has work
ed in this already high condition. l do
not believe that there is any other
service in the world in which the
average of character and efficiency in
the enlisted men is as high as is now
! the case in our own. l believe that the
same statement can be made as to our
| officers, taken as whole. but there
must be a reservation made in regard
| to those in the highest ranks, as t.
which l have already spoken, and In
regard to those who have just entered
! the service, because we do not now
get full benefit from our excellent
naval school at Annapolis.
1t is absurd not to graduate the mid
shipmen as ensigns. To keep them fol
two years in such an anomalous posi-
ton as at present the law requires Is
detrimental to them and to the service
In the academy itself every first class
man should be required in turn to
serve as petty officer and officer. His
ability to discharge his duties as sucl
should be "A prerequisite to his going
into the line, and his success in com
handing should largely determine his
standing at graduation. The board OF
visitors should be appointed in Janu
airy, and each member should be re
quired to give at least six days serv
ice, only from one to three days to b.
performed during June week, which
is the least desirable time for the
board to be at Annapolis SO far al
benefiting the navy by their observa
| lions is concerned
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House, Tuesday, Dec. s
1908.