The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-12-17

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 fleet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express It's appre-
ciatioM 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 short time to
serve. No man should regard 1t as
his vested right to rise to 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 in order to secure far
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent In the elimination of officers for
mental, physical or temperamental
disabilities. But this plan is recon-
mended only If the congress does 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 a part Of the national
forces it behooves the government to
do every reasonable thing in it's pow
er to perfect it's efficiency.
A bill is now pending before the
congress creating a number of extra
officers In the army. which. If passed,
as it ought to 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 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, it is unfortunate
~ true that the great body Of our citi-
zens shoot less and less as time goes
on.
To meet this we should encourage
rifle practice among schoolboys and
indeed among all classes. as we'll as
IN, t1,o J.,
means In our power.
Tho Navy.
l approve the recommendations Of
the general board for the increase Of
the navy, calling especial attention 10
the need Of additional destroyers and
tleships 1t is desirable to complete
as soon as possible squadron Of eight
battleships of the best existing type.
The North Dakota. Delaware, Florida
and Utah will form the first division
Of this squadron.
most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
general staff Thee Is literally no
excuse whatever for continuing the
navy. The navy should be treated as
purely military organization. and
everything should be subordinated to
the one object of securing military
efficiency. a system of promotion by
} merit either by selection or by ex-
: clusion or by both processes. should be
introduced
Nothing better for the navy from
} every standpoint has ever occurred
than the cruise Of the battle fleet
: around the world. The improvement
J OF the ships IL every way has been ex-
traordinary, and they have gained far
. more experience in battle tactics than
they would have gained II they had
stayed in the Atlantic waters. l do
not believe that there II any Other
} service In the world in which ths