The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-12-24

well for them to become Independent. %
to continue under the protection of o.
strong and dsinterested power. able to
guarantee to the islands order at home
and protection from foreignoinvasion.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American cit
izenship be conferred upon the people Of
Porto Rico.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease In
about two months time: the Cuban4
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 a lit
tie over two years, and Cuba has thriv-
en- and prospered under It.. Our earnest
nope and one desire is that the people
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 pose-
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 1t should be made. The
American commissioners have visited
Japan and the postponementi will mere
ly give ampler opportunity for Ameri-
ca to be represented at tho exposition.
Not since the first international expo
SltlOH mas tnere Deen one OF greater
Importance than this Will be, marking,
as 1t does. the hftieth Anniversary of
the ascension to the throne of the em-
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.
l take this opportunity publicly to
state my appreciation Of the way in
which in Japan. in Australia. in New
a n "a mr. In al fIs,u otto Ya1 rP
America. the battle fleet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
can not too strongly express Its apprs-
citation of the Astounding 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 a short time to
| serve. No man should regard IL 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 creditable fact that there
| should be SO. often failure 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; at 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 em-
| ployment; yet this is the course advo.
| Gated as regards the army, and re-
| CURED by law for all grades except
| those Of general officer. AS matter
of fact all OF the best of1cers In the
| highest ranks of the army those
| who have attained their present posi-
| tion wholly OF in part by process Of
selection.
| The scope of retiring boards should
| be extended so that they could con-
| slider general unfltness to command for
| any cause. in order to secure far more
rigid enforcement than at present in
| the elimination of officers for mental.
| physical or tempera mental disabilities.
| But this plan Is recommended only II
| the congress does not see At to provide
what in my judgment is far better.
T, that is for selection in promotion. and
for elimination for age. officers who
( fail to attain a certain rank by GER
| tain age. should be retired-for in
| stance. il a man should not attain
| field rank by the time he is As he
| should or course De placed on the re-
| tired list. General officers should be
| selected at present and one-third
! OF the other promotions should be
| made ny 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 the
| service from which the promotion 10
| to be made. A bill Is now before the
! congress having for its object to Sc
| no nf nH fN nrg-
| Gus grades at reasonable ages through
| process of selection. by boards of Of
| ficers. of the least efficient for retire.
| ment with r. percentage of their pay
| depending upon length of service. The
| bill. although not accomplishing all
| that should be done, Is a long step in
| the right direction; and l earnestly
| recommend its passage. or that OF .
| more completely effective measure.
National Guard.
Now that the organized militia. the
| National Guard. has been Incorporated
with the army part OF the national
| forces. 1t behooves the government to
| do every reasonable thing In its power
| to perfect its efficiency. 1t 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 number of extra
officers in the army which If 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 it will be of the
| utmost Importance to have a large
| number of trained officers to use for
| turning raw levies into good troops.
The Navy.
approve the recommendations Of
the general board for the in
| crease of the navy, calling especial
attention to the need of add
tional destroyers and GOLFERS, and above
all. of the four batteshps. 1t is desir-
able to complete possible .
squadron of eight battleshlps of the best
existing TYNE.