Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-12-08
may have in calling for readiustment of the rates of duty.
 Lower War Expense

may have in calling for readJustment of the rates of duty.
 Lower War Expense
 In the interest of immediate economy and because of the prospect of deficit, I have required reduction in the esti- mates of the war department for the coming fiscal year, which brings the total estimates down to an ambunt 45,000,000 less than the corresponding estimates for last year. This could only be accomplished by cutting off new projects and suspending for tue period of one year all progress in mill tary matters. For the same reason have directed that the army shall not be recruited up to it's present authorized strength. These measures can hardly be more than 'temporary-to last until our revenues are in better condition and until the whole question of the exped' iency of adopting definite military policy can be submitted to congress, for 1 am sure that the interests of the military establishment are seriously in need of careful consideration by con gress. The laws regulating the organi- Zation of our armed forces in the event of war need to be revised in order that the organization can be modified so As to produce force which woall be more consistently apportioned through out it's numerous branches. To explain the circumstances upon which this opin- ion is based would necessitate a lengthy discussion and postpone it un' til the first convenient opportunity shall arise to send to congress a special message upon this subject.
 The secretary of war calls attention to number of needed changes in the army, in all of which l concur but the point upon which l place most empha. sis is the need for an elimination bill providing for a method by which the merits of officers shall have some effect upon their advancement and by which the advancement of all may be aecel- erated by the effective elimination of a definite proportion of the least efficient There are in every army, and certainly in ours, a number of officers who do not violate their duty in any such way as to give reason for a courtmartial or dis missal, but who does not show such ap- ttude and skill and character for high command as to justify their remaining in the active service to be promoted Provision should be made by which they may be retired on certain proportion of their pay, increasing with theiI length of service at the time of their retirement There is now personnel law for the navy which itself needs amendment and to which 1 shall make further reference. Such law is need ed quite as much for the army.
 Coast Defenses
 The coast defenses of the United States proper are generally all that could be desired and in some respects they are rather more elaborate than under present conditions are needed to stop an enemy's fleet from entering the harbors defended. There is, however one place where additional defense is badly needed tand that is at the mouth of Chesapeake bay, where it is pro posed to make an artificial island for a fort which shall prevent an enemy $ fleet from entering this most important strategical base of operations on the whole Atlantic and gulf coasts. l hope that appropriate legislation will be adopted to secure this defense. The military and naval joint board have unanimously agreed that it would be unwise to make the large expenditures which at one time were contemplated in the establishment of naval base and station in the Phillipine islands and have expressed their judgment, in which 1 fully concur, in favor of mak ing an extensive naval base at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, and not in the Philippines. This does not dispense with the necessity for the comparative ly small appropriations required to fin .sh the proper coast defenses in the Philippines now under construction on the island of Corrigidor and elsewhere or to complete a suitable repair station and cOaling supply station at Olongapo, where is the floating dock Dewey. l hope that this recommendation of the joint board will end the discussion as to the comparative merits of Manila bay and Olongapo as naval stations and will lead to prompt measures for the proper equipment and defense of Pearl Harbor.
 The return of the battleship fleet from its voyage around the world, in more efficient condition than when it started, was noteworthy event of in terest alike to citizens and the naval au- thOrities of the world. Besides the beneficial and farreaching effect on our personal and diplomatic relations in the countries which the fleet visited, marked success of the ships in steam ing around the world in all weathers on schedule time, has increased respect for our navy and has added to our national prestige.
 Our enlisted personnel recruited from all sections of the country is young and energetic and representative of the ma tional spirit. 1t is, moreover, owing to its capable of quick training into the modern man of warsman. Our of ficers are earnest and jealous in their profession but it is regrettable fact that the higher officers are old for their responsibilities for the modern navy and the admirals do not arrive at flag rank young enough to obtain adequate training in their duties as flag officers. This need for reform in the navy has been ably and earnestly presented to congress by my predecessor and I also urgently recommend the subject for consideration.
 Navy Reorganization
 TN