The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-08

ssd s snxth up F Thsss Dlsssas msssarss CT hardly be more than tempoEary--to last until our revenues are Tn better lsconditfon and until the whole aueston nite. military policy can be submitted to ConEress. for am sure that the n. terests of the military establishment
 are, are seriously in need of careful con on regulating the organization of our
 armed forces in the event of war need to De revised in order that the or- produce foroe sao Ss Which 00"s would ss con-
 sfstently apportioned througnout lts
 nuFProus branches. To explain the cir3mstances upon which this opinion discussion. and postpone if until the
 nrst convenient opportunity shall arse to send to Congress . special message
 upTh The 'ses socrsss2y ef war calls stsnton to a number of needed changes in the army. in all of which concur put
 the point upon which I place most em-
 phssis is the need % Tor an h etS rsaeh tSe merits of officers shall haves some ef- feet upon their advancement ana py
 which the advancement of all may pe of a definite proportion of the least
 efficient There are in every srmy.
 and certainly in ours. numper oI
 officers who do not violate sneir % avoy ecy d courtmartiai or dismissal. but who do not show such aptitude and skill and character for high command as to Jus tify their remaining in the aGsrvs ,ssna ser,
 should iSs F be " made by which they
 may be retired on q certain proportion of their pay. increasing with their length h.ss Dh ssryscs ss noM ~ ns personnei amendment and to which shall make further reference. Such law is need
 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 stop an enemy's fleet from entering the harbors defended. There is, how sver, one place where additional de- tsnss is Sadiy nesdsa sad naY .na' wseae it is proposed to make an artificial is- land for fort which shall prevent an enemy's fleet from entering this most tions on the whole Atlantic and Gulf coasts, I hope that appropriate legis- lation will be adopted to secure the construction of this defense.
 have Unanimously agreed that 1t would be unwise to make the large expendit- ures which at one time were contem, plated in the establishment of a naval base and station in the Philippine Is- lands. and have expressed their judg- ment, in which fully concur, in favor of making an extnesive naval base at Pearl Harbor near MonoiIiu anss ans ana dis ns. pense with the necessity for the com paratively} small appropriations re- Qufred to finish the proper coast de- construction on the island of corregi- dor and elsewhere or to complete suitable repair station and coaling sup ply station at Olongapo,, where is the this recommendation of the joint board
 will end the discussion as to the com, parative merits of Manila Bay and Olongapo as naval stations. ana VIII er equipment and defense of Pearl Harbor.
 The return of the battleship fleet from It's voyage around the world. in more efficient condition than when It started, was noteworthy event Of in- terest alike to our citizens and the na- the beneficiai and far-reaching effect on our personal and diplomatic reia- lions in the countries which the fleet visited, the marked success or the in all weathers on schedule time has increased respect for our navy and has added to our national prestige.
 Our enlisted tss eeunsrT s and energetic and representative of the national spirit. It is. moreover, owing to its intelligence. capable or quicA training into the modern manrof-wars- men. Our officers are earliest and xaaious in their profession. but 1t IS 2 reErettable fact that the higher om. cers are old for the responsibilities d 9l not arrive at flag rank young enongh to obtain adequate training in theii duties as nag officers. This need TOT
 ssrnestly ss v presented @ to Congress by my omnend the subject for considerations Early in the coming session q com, tsl,, prehensive plan for the reorganization of the officers of all corps ot the navy will be presented to Congress, and hope 1t will meet with action suited to
 owing to the necessity for economy In ewpenditures, i have directed the enrichment of recommendations TOT naval appropriations so that they are s3s. .00o, coo less than the corresponding Estimates of last year. and the request for new naval construction Is limited to two first class battleships and one
 ssRT RThe use of q navy is for military purposes. and there has been found need in the Department of miiitary branch dealing directly with the mill
 tary use of the fieet. The secretary seer ro oi sponsible advisers to aid him in reach | ing conclusions and deciding import ant matters between co-ordinate l branches of the Department. To SC,
 cure these results he has lnaugurases0 r,s sG tentative plan involving certain Navy Department, Including ths-navy yards. all of which have been foune | by the Attorney General to berin ac, cordance with law. have approved l inc execution of the plan proposed be, cause of the greater effictency and | economy 1t promises.
 The generosity of Congress has pro yided In the present Naval observa- l tory the most magnificent and expen' | sivs sstronomical establishment in the | world. It is being used for certain naval purposes which might easily ane | adeouately be subserved by a small di' | vision connected with the Navy De partment at only fraction Of the eos, Tn of the present naval o6servatory. Ihs M l oficial Board of Visitors established bJ 1 Congress and appointed in 1901 ex'