Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-12-09
ungrudging respect and gratitude Of
the American people.
Ocean Mail Lines.

ungrudging respect and gratitude Of
the American people.
Ocean Mail Lines.
again recommend the extension of
the ocean mail act of 1891 so that sat
isfaetofy American oceanmail lines. to
South America. Asia. the Philippines
and Australasia may be established.
The creation of such steamship lines
should be tho natural corollary OF the
voyage of the battle fleet. II should
precede The opening of the Panama
4 canal
The Philippines.
4 Real lrugrcss toward self govern
ment Is bein. made in the Philippine
Islands. The gathering of Il Philippine
legislative body and Philippine assem-
bly, marks process absolutely new in
Asia. not only as regards .lsiatic colo
MES of European powers. but as re-
CARDS Asiatic possessions of otht. Ash
attic powers. and indeed. always ex.
cepting the striking and wonderful en-
ample afforded by the great empire of
| Japan. 1t opens an entirely new de-
parture when compared with anything
which has happened among Asiatic
| powers which are their own masters.
I We have given the Eilipinos constitu,
tionnl government, Il government based
upon justice, and we have shown. that
we have governed them for their good
land not for our ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
AT the present time, as during the
| past ten years, the ineXorablc logic of
facts shows that this government
must be supplied by US and not by
them. We must be wise and gener.
Gus. We must help the Filiptnos 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 so that grad
ually they may, if they are able, learn
to govern themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when ii will
be wise TO consider independence as
Il fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
l. again recommend that American
citizenship he conferred upon the peo-
pie of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
| In Cuba our occupancy will cease i'll
about two months time. The Cubans
have in orderly manner elected their
own governmental authorities, and the
island will be turned over to them
Our occupation on this occasion has
lasted little over two years, and
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
1t. 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 be Sc
cure.
The Fleets Reception.
| I take this opportunity publicly to
state my appreciation of the way in
which in Japan, in Australia, i'll 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 its 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 high,
the present system Of promotion by
seniority results in bringing into tic
higher grades many men of mediocre
capacity who have but q short time to
serve. No man should regard it as
his vested right to rise to the highest
frank In the army any more than II
any other profession.
The scope of retiring boards SHOULD
be extended so that they could con
slider general unfitness to commun,
for any cause In order to secure 4, FIJI
more rigid enforcement than at pres
cnt in the elimination of officers fol
mental, physical or temperamenta
disabilities. But this plan is recon-
mended only if the congress does no
sec fit to provide what in my iudg
inent is far better-that is, for selec
ton In promotion and for elimination
for age.
Now that the organized militia, TIL
. national guard, has been incorporated
with the army rs a part of the nationa
forces it behooves the government t,
do every reasonable thing in its pow
er to perfect its efficiency. :.
A bill is now pending before th
congress creating n number of extr
officers in the army, which, If passed
as 1t ought to be, will enable more OF
ficers to he trained as instructors O
national guard and assigned to tina
duty.
There should be legislation to pre-
vide complete plan for organic
ing the great body of volunteers be
hind the regular army and nationa
guard when war has come. Will
teams representing the United State
Won the rifle and revolver champion
ships Of the world against all conner
In England this year, 1t is unfortunat,
y true that the great body Of our cit
i zens shoot less and less as time goe
: on.
e To meet this we should encourag
y rifle practice among schoolboys an
!, indeed among all classes, as well ,
! in the military services, by ever
e means in our power.
! Tho Navy.
J. approve the recommendations
5 the general board for the increase
e the navy. calling especial attention
S the reed of additional destroyers ar
). golfers and. above all, of the four ba
tleships. 1t Is desirable to compile
n as soon as possible squadron of Gig
J. battleships of the best existing typ
:. The North Dakota, Delaware. Florit
# and Utah will form the first divisit
/. of this squadron.
If most earnestly recommend that Il
=. general hoard be by law turned in
\ a general staff. There is literally
Il excuse whatever for continuing Il
present bureau organization of L
navy. The navy Should be treated
!, purely military organization, al
Il