The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-12-10

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 n generous: we must help the
F1lipinos to master the difficult art of
self.eontrol, which is simply another
name Tor self-government. But we can
not give them self-government ave in
the sense OF governing them 80 that
gradually they may, il they are able,
learn to govern themselves. Under the
present system Of just laws m sympa-
thetic administration, we have every rea-
son to believe that they are gradually &C.
curing the character which lies at the
basis OF self-government, and for which,
II it be lacking. no system Of laws, no
paper constitution. will in any wise serve
a. q substitute. Our people in the Phil
ippines have achieved what may legiti-
mately be called a marvellous success in
giving to them a government which
marks on the part Of those in authority
both the necessary understanding Of the
people and the necessary purpose to
serve them disinterestedly and In good
faith. i trust that within q generation
the time will arrive when the Philippines
can decide for themselves whether. it IL
we'll Tor them to become Independent, or
to continue under the protection Of .
strong and disinterested power. able to
guarantee to the Islands order at home
and protection from foreign invasion. But
no one can prophesy the exact date when
1t will be wise to consider Independence
a. Z liked and definite policy. It would
be worse than folly to try to set down
such . date In advance, for 1t must de.
pend upon the way In which the Philip
Pine people themselves develop the pow
er Of s~elf-mastery.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American cit.
izenship bs conferred upon the people Of
Porto Rico.
In Cuba u 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 q it,
tie over two years. and Cuba has thriv-
en- and %prospered under 1t. Our earnest
hope and one desire is that the people
Of the island shall now govern them
selves with Justice, 50 that peace and or
them to this end; but I would solemnly
warn them to remember the great truth
that the only way a people can perman-
emily avoid being governed from without
Is to show that they both can and will
govern themselves from within.
Japanese Exposition.
Inc 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
Japan ana the postponement will mere-
~ give ampler opportunity for Ameri-
ca to be represented at the exposition.
Not since the first International expo
sition has there been one of greater
importance than this will be, marking,
as 1t does. the Aftieth 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.
This exposition will atly commemorate
and signalize the giant progress that
has been achieved. It is the first ex-
held in Asia. The United States, be-
cause Of the ancient friendship between
the two peoples. because each Of us
fronts on the Pacific, and because of
h growing commercial relations be-
tween this country and Asia, takes q
peculiar interest in seeing the EXPOSE
ton made a success In every way.
SdhS SHlo opportunity publicly 20
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.
cetved on Its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
can not too strongly express its appre-
citation Of the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships in every
port they visited.
The Army.
AZ regards the army I call attention
to the fact hat while our Junior ON.
GERS and enlisted men stand very high,
the present system Of promotion by
seniority results in bringing into tho
higher grades many men Of mediocre
capacity who have but a 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. It is q curious and
by nc mean creditable fact h there
should be d often q failure on tho
part Of the public and its representa-
tives to understand the great need,
from the standpoint Of the service ana
the nation. Of refusing to promote re-
spectacle. elderly tncompetents. The
higher places should be given to the
most deserving men without regard to
seniority: at least seniority should be
treated 40 only consideration. In
the stress OF modern industrial COM
petition no business arm could succeed
II those responsible for its management
were chosen simply on the ground thai
they were tho Oldest people in its en-
ployment: yet this Is the course advo-
Gated a. regards the army, and re-
quired by law for all grades except
those Of general officer. AS q matter
Of fact all Of the best officers In the
highest ranks Of the army are those
who have attained their present posi-
ton wholly or in part by a process Of
selection.
The scope Of retiring boards should
be extended 10 that they could con-
slider general unitness 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 disabilities
But this plan IL recommended only II
the congress does not see At to provide
what in my Judgment is far better,
that is, for selection in promotion, and
for elimination for age. Officers who
fail to attain a certain rank by a GER
tain age. should be retired-for in
stance. II a man should not attain
field rank by the time he is As he
should Of curse 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