The Harrison times., 1908-12-12

well for them to become independent, o.
to continue under the protection OF
strong and disinterested power, able to
guarantee to the islands order at home
and protection from foreign invasion.
Porto Rico.
again recommend that Amevican cit
izenship be conferred upon the people OF
Porto Rico.
Cuba.
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 occu-
patton on this occasion has lasted lit
tie over two years, and Cuba has thriv-
en- and prospered under it. Our earnest
hope and one desire is that the peopls
of the island shall now govern them
selves with justice, so that peace and or
der may be secure.
Japanese Exposition.
The japanese government has post
poned until 1917 the date of the great
international exposition, the action be-
ing taken so as to insure ample time
in which to prepare to make the expo
sition all that it should be made. The
American commissioners have visited
ly give ampler opportunity for Ameri-
ca to be represented al the exposition.
Not since the first international expo
sitiOn has there been one of greater
Importance than this will be, marking,
as it does the fftieth anniversary Of
the ascension to the throne of the en-
peror of Japan, The extraordinary
leap to the foremost place among the
nations of the world made by Japan
during this half century is something
unparalleled in all previous history.
I 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
can not too strongly express it's appre-
citation of the abounding 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 short time to
vested right to rise to the highest rank
in the army any more than in any
other profession. It is a curious and
by no means credtable fact that there
should be so often a failure on the
part Of the public and its representa-
tiVes to understand the great need,
from the standpoint of the service and
the nation, of refusing to promote re-
spectacle, elderly incompetents. The
higher places should be given to the
most deserving men without regard to
seniority; al least seniority should be
treated as only one consideration. In
the stress Of modern industrial COM
petition no business firm could succeed
If those responsible for its management
were chosen simply on the ground that
they were the Oldest people in its en-
ployment yet this is the course advo-
Gated as regards the army, and re-
quired by law for all grades except
those of general officer AS a matter
of fact all of the best officers in the
highest ranks OF the army are those
who have attained their present posi-
tion wholly or in part by a process Of
selection.
The scope OF retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
slider general unfitness to command for
any cause, in order to secure a far more
rigid enforcement than at present, in
the elimination OF officers for mental,
physical or temperamental disabiliti, Y
But this plan is recommended only N
the congress does not see fit to provit'
what in my judgment is far bett8
that is, for selection in promotion, al
for elimination for age. officers VT
fail to attain certain rank by a ce
tain age, should be retired--for irl
stance, If a man should not attait
field rank by the time he is As ne
should Of course be placed on the re-
tired list General officers should be
selected as at present, and one-third
Of the other promotions should be
made by selection, the selection to be
made by the president or secretary OF
war from a list of at least two candi-
dates proposed for each vacancy by
board Of officers from the arm of tho
service from which the promotion is
to be made. A bill is now before the
congress having for its object to Sc
cure the promotion Of officers to vari-
Gus grades at reasonable ages through
a process of selection, by boards Of O.
flcers. of the least efficient for retire.
ment with a percentage Of their pay
depending upon length of service, The
bin, although not accomplishing all
that should be done is a long step in
-
recommend It's passage, or that of a
more completely effective measure.
National Guard.
Now that the organized militia, tho
National Guard, has been Incorporated
with the army as a part OF the national
forces, 1t behooves the government to
do every reasonable thing in its power
to perfect its efficiency, It should be
assisted In its instruction and other
wise aided more literally than hereto
fore. The continuous services OF many
well trained regular officers viii be
essential in this connection. a
bill Is now pending before the
congress creating a number of extra
officers in the army, which II passed,
as it ought to be, will enable more
officers to be trained as instructors Of
National Guard and assigned to that
duty. In case of war 1t will be OF the
utmost importance to have n large
number Of trained officers to use for
turning raw levies into good troops,
The Navy.
approve the recommendation OF
the general board for the in
crease OF the navy, calling especial
attention to the need of addi-
tional destroyers and GOLFERS and abov3
all, of the four battleships, 1t Is desir-
able to complete as soon as possible a
- "a O. hu nf tho haSt