Arizona republican., 1909-12-08

: duty in any such way as to give req
 son for a court martial or dismissal but who do not show such aptitude
 and skill and character for high com
 mand as to justify their remaining II
 the active service to be promoted
 Provision should be made by whicf
 they may be retired on a certain pro-
 portion of their pay, increasing witf
 their length of service at the time oi
 retirement. There is now personnel
 law for the navy which itself needs amendment and to which l shall make further reference. Such a 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. how ever. one place where additional de- ! fense is badly needed and that Is at the mouth of Chesapeake bay. where | it is proposed to make an artificial island for q fort whoch shall prevent an enemy's 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 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 isl- ands and have expressed their judg- ment. in which I 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 Corrigi- dor and elsewhere or to complete a suitable repair station and coaiing 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 com parative merits of Manila bay and Olongapo as naval stations and will lead to prompt measures for the prop CT equipment and defense of Pearl harbor
 The Navy.
 The return Of the battleship fleet from it's voyage around the world. in more efficient condition than when it started. was a noteworthy event of in terest alike to our citizens and the naval authorities of the world. Be sides the beneficial and far-reaching effect on our personal and diplomatic relations in the countries which the fleet visited. the marked success of the ships in steaming around the world in all weathers on scheduled 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 national spirit. IL is. moreover, caaable Of quick training into the modern man of war man. Our, officers are earnest and jealous in their profession but it is 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 prede- cessor and I also urgently recommend the subject for consideration.
 Early in the coming session a com parative plan for the reorganization of the officers of all corps of the navy will be presented to congress and I hope it will meet with action suited to it's urgency.
 lessened Estimates.
 Owing to the necessity for economy in expenditures I have directed the curtailment of recommendations for naval appropriations so that they are s3s. 100000 less than the corresponding estimates of last year and the request for new naval construction is limited to two first class battleships and one repair vessel.
 The use of a navy is for military purposes and there has been found need in the department of a military branch dealing directly with the mili tary uses of the fleet The secretary of the navy has also felt the lack of responsible advisors to aid him in reaching conclusions and deciding i'm portant matters between coordinate branches of the department. To se cure these results he is inaugurating> 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 the law. l have ap- proved the execution of the plan pro- posed because of the greater efficiency 1 and economy it promises.
 The generosity of congress has pro vided in the present naval observatory | the most magnificent and expensive | establishment in the | world It is being used for certain na- val purposes which might easily and | he subserved by a small | division connected with the navy de- 1 partment at only a fraction of the | cost of the present naval observatory. | The official board of visitors estab- Iished by congress and appointed in 1901 expressed it's conclusion that the | official head of the observatory should | T