The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-12-11


We hive given the FHlp.nls -
tOnal government. a gOyerrua-- 4
upon justice. and We have eagv-, i
we have governed them for .h4.- i,
and not for our assrandiz-ualt
At the present time. as 6r--r, q,
past ten years, the inexoraa1a h..
facts shows that this -.a.---
must be supplied by Us and r- E
them We must be wise AID ,a
Gus. We must help the Eg.r-
master the difficult arr ~ s.f
troll. which is simply another asr. !.
self government But We.a4ra- ,s.
them self government save d.
sense Of governing them IS. that ~
ually they may. if they a-e able ~
TO govern themselves. NO ora
prOphesy the exact date when Fl
be wise to consider iLdepeuderra
a fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rice.
l again recommend la1- tua-.
citizenship be conferred upon tie /,
pie Of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy viii cease b
about two months time. The chi
have in orderly manner elected t.
own governmental authorities. and #.
island will be turned over TO Mn.
Our occupation on this occasion
lasted a little over two Years. 81.
Cuba has thriyen and prospered ua5s
It, Our earnest hope and one de,.,
Is that the people Of the island 4,
now govern themselves with Jus.ia.
30 that peace and order may be sa
cure.
The Fleets Reception.
take this opportunity publicly ia
state my appreciation Of the way h
which in Japan, in Australia, In New
Zealand and in all the states of Suru
America the battle fleet has beeu re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express its apme
:1ation of the Astounding and generop,
hospitality shown our ships In every
port they visited.
The Army.
AS regards the army. call attention
o the fact that, while our junior Oil.
ers and enlisted men stand very high
he present system Of promotion BY
results In bringing into te
Iigher grades many men of mediocre
apacity who have but short time 10
erve. No man should regard it Is
is vested right to rise to the highest
ank in the army any more thar ID
ny other profession.
The scope of retiring boards should
e extended so that they could con
der general unftness to command
Or any cause in order to secure d IL
lore rigid enforcement than at pre-
at in the elimination of officers ff
lental, physical or temperament
But this plan Is recon.
tended only if the congress docs net
,e fit to provide what in my judy
ent is far better-that is, for selec
On In promotion and for elimination
II age.
Now that the organized militia, The
ltional guard, has been incorporated
It'll the army as part of the national
rces it behooves the government to
} every reasonable thing in Its pow
to perfect its efficiency.
bill is now pending before che
ngress creating a number of extra
icers in the army, which If passed.
1t ought to be, will enable more Of
ers to be trained as Instructors q
tional guard and assigned to that
ty.
There should be legislation to pro
lie complete plan for organic
: the great body Of volunteers BE-
I'd the regular army and nationaI
ard when war has come. While
ms representing the United States I'm
N the rife and revolver champion
ps of the world against all corners
England this year, it is unfortunate
true that the great body Of our citi-
Is shoot less and less as time goes
% meet this we should encourage
e practice among schoObOys ana
eed among all classes, as well as
the military services. by every
ans in our power.
The Navy.
approve the recommendation OF
general board for the increase OF
navy, calling especial attention 70
need of additional destroyers ana
iers and, above all, of the four bat
hips 1t is desirable to complete
soon as possible a squadron OF eight
tleships Of the bust existing type
. North Dakota, Delaware, Floriaa
Utah will form the first division
his squadron.
most earnestly recommend that the
eral board be by law turned INTO
eneral STAFF. There is literally no
use whatever for continuing tDe
'ent bureau organization OF TIDE
y. The navy should be treated
purely military organization, ana
-ything should be subordlnated
one object Of securing nlliaH
iency. A system of promotion 0'