Evening journal., 1908-12-08


which has happened among Asiatic
powers which are their own masters.
We have given the Fillpinos constitu-
tional government, government based
upon Justice. aud we have shown that
we have governed them for their good
and not for our aggrandizement
At the present time, as during the
past ten years. the inexorablc logic OF
facts shows that this government
must be supplied by u,Utnd not by
them. We must be wise and gener-
GUS. We must help the Filiplnos to
master the difficult art OF self con-
troll, which is simply another name for
solf government But we cannot give
them self government save IN the
sense OF governing them so that grad
ually they may. II they are able. 'earn
to govern themselves. No one IAN
prophesy the exact date when u Slll
be wise 70 consider Independents as /
a fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American /
citizenship be conferred upon the peo-
Pile Of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy win cease IN
about two months time. The Cubans
have In orderly manner elected their I,
own governmental authorities. and the |
island will be turned over 70 them.
Our occupation ON this occasion has
'ested little over two years, aud
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
Il. Our earnest hope aud one desire
is that the people OF the island shall
now govern themselves with justice,
so that peace and order may be So
cure.
Tho Fleets Reception.
take this opportunity publicly 10
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 feet has been re-
celved on It's practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express its appre-
cintiou Of the abounding and generous
Sspitallty shown our ships In every
port they visited
The Army.
As regards the army. call attention
10 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 20
serve No man should regard II as
his vested right 10 rise 10 the highest
rank in the army any more than IN
any other profession.
The scope Of retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
slider general unftness to command
FOR any cause ia order 70 secure a far
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent IN the elimination OF officers for
mental. physical or temperamental
disabilities But this plan is recon-
nended only II the congress does not
see ut to provide what In my judg-
ment Is FAR better-that Is. for selec-
ton In promotion and for elimination
Cor age.
Now that the organized militia. the
national guard. has been incorporated
with tho army as a part Of the national
forces Il bchooves the government TO
do every reasonable thing in It's pow
er 70 perfect its efficiency.
A bin Is now pending before the
congress crcntlng n number OF extra
officers IN the army. which. n passed.
as II ought 70 be. Will enable more Of
fcers to be trained as instructors OF
national guard and assigned to that
duty
There should be legislation TO pro-
vide a ccmplete plan for organic
Ing the great body Of volunteers be-
hind the regular army and national
guard when war has come. While
teams representing the United States
won the rife and revolver champion
ships Of the world against all comers
IN England this year. II Is unfortunate
iy true that the great body Of our citi-
zens shoot less and less as time goes
on
To meet this we should encourage
rife practice among schoolboys and
indeed among all classes. as well as
IN the military services. by every
means IN our power.
The Navy.
approve the recommendations Of
the general board for the increase Of
the navy. calling especial attention to
the need Of additional destroyers and
colliers end. above ail. Of the four bat.
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