Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-07

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which the advancement OF all may be
accelerated by the effective elimination
of definite proportion Of the least efi-
cient. 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 court
martial or dismissal, but who do not
show such aptitude and skill and char
acter 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. in-
lreasing with their length OF service at
he time Of retirement There is now
a personnel law for the navy which It.
self needs amendment and to which I
| shall make further reference. Such a
law is needed 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 feet from entering
the harbors defended. There is. how
ever, one place where additional de-
tense is badly needed, and that is at
the mouth OF Chesapeake bay. where
It is proposed to make an artificial is
land for a fort which shall prevent an
enemy's fleet from entering this most
important strategical base OF opera
lions on the whole Atlantic and gulf
coasts. hope that appropriate legis-
lation viii be adopted to secure the
construction Of this defense.
The military and naval joint board
have unanimously agreed that 1t would
be unwise to make the large expendi-
lures 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, I'm which / fully concur, in IA
vor Of making an extensive naval base
at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, and
not in the Philippines. This does not
dispense with the necessity for the
comparatively small appropriations re-
Quired to finish the proper coast de-
lenses In the Philippines now under
construction on the island of Corregi-
dor and elsewhere or to complete a
suitable repair station and cOaling sup
ply station at Oiongapo, which is the
floating dock Dewey. ! hope that
this recommendation of the joint board
will end the discussion as to the COM
parative merits Of Manila bay and
Olongapo as naval stations and will
lead to prompt measures for the proper
equipment and defense Of Pearl Har-
Dor.
The Navy.
The return Of the battleship feet
from its voyage around the world in
more efficient condition than when 1t
started was a noteworthy event OF in
terest alike to our citizens and the
naval authorities Of the world. Be
sides the beneficial and farreaching eff
feet on our personal and diplomatic re-
lations in the countries which the feet
vised, the marked success of the ships
In steaming around the world in all
weatbers on schedule time has in
creased 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
ShO hdlAOAAA 5RAhAN' 49, 49, AAOACONCAf
owing to it's intelligence, capable of
quick training into the modern man
of-war's men. Our officers are earnest
and Jealous in their profession. but it
is a regrettable fact that the higher
officers are old for the responsibilities
of 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 / also urgently
recommend the subject for considera-
ton.
Early in the coming session a COM
prehenSive plan for the reorganiza-
ton of the officers of ali corps Of the
navy will be presented to congress,
and / hope it will meet with action
suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy
In expenditures, l have directed the
curtailment Of recommendations for
naval appropriations so that they are
thirty-eight millions less than the cor
responding estimates Of last year, and
the request for new naval construction
ID IA4ANC0 " NNO IA 81 SAeSS OoNSAGOAARD
and one repair vessel.
The use Of a navy is for military
purposes, and there has been found
need in the department Of military
branch dealing directly with the mill
tary use Of the feet. The secretary
of the navy has also felt the lack Of
responsible advisers to aid him in
reaching conclusions and deciding i'm
portant matters between coordinate
branches of the department To Sc
cure these results he has inaugurated
a tentative plan involving certain
changes In the organization OF the
navy department, including the navy
yards, all Of which have been found
by the attorney general to be in ac-
cordance with law. have approved
the execution of the plan proposed be-
cause Of the greater efficiency and
economy It promises.
The generosity Of congress has pro-
laI II, ~. nkcoruo