Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1908-12-11

world Fit to hold our own against
the strong nations Of the earth, cur
voice for peace win carry to the ends
of the earth. Tnprepared and there
fore unfit. we must sit dumb and help
less to defend ourselves. protect 9th.
ers or preserve peace. The first step
in the direction Of preparation to
avert war if possible and to be fit for
war if it should come-is to teach our
men to shoot.
The Navy.
I 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. 1t 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 division
of this squadron. The four vessels
proposed will form the second divi-
sion. 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 tao
teal qualities-that is, speed and turn
ing circle = and as near as possible
these tactical qualities should be the
same as Is in the four vessels before
named now being built.
/ 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
a 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 peace-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 a 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
orb O1vr
old and stay far too short 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
citic has shown the invaluable work
which such ship does and has also
prov ed that it is well to have it kept
under the command of a medical Off
GER AS was to be expected. all Of the
of trouble from such q
have proved completely base
less 1t is absurd to put hospital
ship under line officer as it would be
to put a hospital on shora under such :
a command. This ought 70 hare been
realized before, and there is no excuse
for failure to 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-
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 cause for pro-
found qualification both in view of the
excellent condition of the fleet as
shown by this cruise and i'll view of
he Improvement the cruise has work
I'd in this already high condition. do
lot believe that there is any other
service in the world in which the
average of character and efficiency In
he enlisted men is as high as is now
he ease in our own i believe that the
ame statement can be made as to our
ulcers, taken as a whole. but there
must be a reservation made in regard
o those in the highest ranks. as to
which / have already spoken. and IN
egard to those who have just entered
he service, because We do not now
ret full benefit from our excellent
laval school ut Annapolis.
1t is absurd not TO graduate the mid
hipmen as ensigns. To keep them for /
we years in such an anomalous posi- :
ion rs ut present tie law requires Is
10 them aud to the service.
:, ~, ,.a,latar- ifcaff avpry first class