The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-12-10

jarture when compared With anything
which has happened Gmong AsiatIc
powers which are their own masters.
we have given the Fillpinos constitu-
iional government a government based
upon justice. and we have shown that
we have governed them for their good
and not for our aggrandiz . cnt
At the present time. as during the
past ten years, the inexorn'c leair Of
facts shows that this 'pvrsuaent
must be supplied by u and not by
them We must be wise and gencr-
Gus. We must help the l'ilIplnos to
master the difficult art OF self con
troll, which Is simply another name for
self government. But we cannot give
them self government save In the
sense Of governing them 80 that grad
ually they may. II they are able, learn
to govern themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when 1t will
be wise to consider Independence as
q fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
| again recommend that American
citizenship be conferred upon the peo-
pie OF Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease IN
about two months time The Cubans
have In orderly manner elected their
own governmental authorities. and TIE
island will be turned over " them.
Our occupation on this occasion has
lasted a little over two years. aud
Cuba has thriyen aud prospcrcd under
It. Our earnest hope and one desire
is that the people OF the island Shall
now govern themselves with justice.
so that peace and order may DE Sc
cure.
The Fleets Reception.
] take this opportunity publicly to
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-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world The American government
cannot too strongly express It's appre-
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 hlsh
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 90
serve. No man should regard It az
his vested right TO rise to the highest
rank in the army any more than m
any other profession.
The scope OF retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
slider general un6tness to command
for any cause in order to secure far
more rigid enforcement than at PIES
ent IN the elimination OF officers for
mental. physical or temperameutal
disabilities But this plan IS recon-
mcnded only II the congress docs not
see fit to provide what IN my judy
ment IS far better-that IS. for selec-
ton In promotion and for elimination
for age.
Now that the organized militia. the
national guard, has been incorporated
with the army as part Of the national
forces II behooves the government TO
do every reasonable thing In its pow
er to perfect It's e1iclency
A bin is now pending before the
congress creating a number OF extra
officers I'm the army, which. II passed.
as It ought to be, VIII enable more Of
hcers to he trained as instructors OF
pational guard and assigned TO that
duty.
There should be legislation TO pro
vide n complete 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 rifle and revolver champion
ships Of the world against all corners
In England this year, 1t IS unfortunate
" true that the great body Of our citi-
zens shoot less and less as time gees
On.
To meet this we should encourage
ride 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 recommendation Of /
he general board for the Increase Of /
be navy. calling especial attention to
he need Of additional destroyers and |
,olliers and. above all, Of the fodr bat /
leshlps. II is desirable TO complete /
IS soon as possible squadron Of eight /
)attleships Of the best existing type, |
The North Dakota. Delaware, Florlda !
md Utah Will form the first dlrlsion
If this squadron.
| most earnestly recommend that the /
besrd be by law turned into |
general staff. The~ Is literally no |
excuse whatever for continuing the |
present bureau organization Of the |
lavy. The navy should be treated as
purely military organization. and |
should be subordinated to |
he one object Of securing military
efficiency. A system OF promotion by
merit. either by selection or by ex-
fusion or by both processes, should be
Nothing better for the navy from
very standpoint has ever occurred
han the cruise of the battle heet
round the world The Improvement
4 the ships in every way has been ex-
raordinary, and they have gained fnr
more experience In battle tactics than
hey would have gained If they had
tayed in the Atlantic waters. | do
ot believe that there is any other