Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-10

of its foreign trade during the last ten
years and one other has more special
claims on Il interests of the United States.
Panama Canal.
The work Oh the Panama Canal is being
done with a speed efficiency and entire de-
votion to duty, which make it q model for
all work of the kind. No task of such
magnitude has ever before been undertaken
by any nation and no task of the kind has
ever been better performed.
Ocean Mail Lines.
l again recommend the extension of the
ocean mail act of 1891 so that satisfactory
American ocean mail lines to South Amer
lea, Asia, the Philippines, and Australasia
may be established
Hawaii.
1 call particular attention to the Terri
tory of Hawaii. The Importance of those
islands is apparent, and the need of improy-
ing their condition and developing their re-
sources is urgent.
The Philippines.
Real progress toward self-government Is
being made in the Philippine Islands. The
gathering of a Philippine legislative body
and Philippine assembly marks process
absolutely new in Asia, not only as regards
Asiatic colonies of European powers, but as
regards Asiatic possessions of other Asiatic
powers, and, indeed, always excepting the
striking and wonderful example afforded by
the great Empire of Japan, it opens an
entirely new departure when compared with
anything which has happened among Asiatic
powers which their own masters. /
hope and believe that these steps mark the
beginning of a course which will continue
till the Filipinos become fit to decide for
themselves whether they desire to be an in
dependent nation. All we can do is to give
them the opportunity to develop the capac-
ity for self-government. | trust that with
in a generation the time will arrive when
the Philippines can decide for themselves
whether it is well for them to become indie
pendent, or to continue under the prOtec-
ton of a strong and dsinterested power,
able to guarantee to the islands order at
home and protection from foreign invasion.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American citi-
zenship be conferred upon the people of
Porto Rico.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease in
about two months time; the Cubans have
in orderly manner elected their own govern
mental authorities, and the island will be
turned over to them Our occupation on
this occasion has lasted a little over two
years, and Cuba has thriven and prospered
under it.
The Army.
As regards the army, I call attention to
the fact that while our junior officers and
enlisted men stand very high, the present
system of promotion by seniority results in
bringing INTO the HlSDer grades Hany UeH
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. 1t is a curious and by no
means credtable fact that there should be
often failure on the part of the public
and its representatives to understand the
great need, from the standpoint of the SER
vice and the nation, of refusing to promote
respectable, elderly incompetents. The
higher places should be given to the most
deserving men without regard to seniority;
at least seniority should be treated as only
one consideration. In the stress of modern
industrial competition business firm could
succeed if those responsible for its manage
ment were chosen simply on the ground
that they were the oldest people in its en-
ployment; yet this is the course advocated
for all grades except those of general off,
Ger. The cavalry arm should be reorgan-
lied upon modern lines. This is an arm
in which it is peculiarly necessary that the
field officers should not be old.
Now that the organized militia, the Ma
tional Guard, has been Incorporated with
the army as a part of the national forces,
it behooves the government to do every rea-
sonable thing in its power to perfect It's
efficiency. There should be legislation to
provide a complete plan for organizing the
great body of volunteers behind the regular
come.
The Navy.
I approve the recommendations of the
general board for the increase of the navy
calling especial attention to the need of
above all of the four battleships. 1t is
desirable to complete as soon as possible
a squadron of eight battleships of the best
existing type. Nothing better for the navy