Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-08

a nersonnel law for the navy which It.
self needs amendment and to which
shall make further reference. Sucn
law ia needed quite as much for the
army.
Coast Dsfensas.
The coast defenses of the Unlteo
States proper are generally all that
could be desired, and in some respects
they are rather more elaborate tnan
under present conditions are needed
TO stop an enemy's feet from entering
the harbors defended. There Is. how
ever, one place where additional oe-
tense is badly needed. and that Is al
the mouth of Chesapeake bay. where
it is proposed to make an artificial Is
land for q fort which shall prevent an
enemy's feet from entering this most
important strategical base of opera
lions on the whole Atlantic and gun
coasts. ! hope that appropriate legls-
lation will 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 naval
base and station in the Philippine Is
lands and have expressed their Judg-
ment, in which l fully concur, IN ia
vor of making an extensive naval base
at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, ana
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 coaltng sup
ply station at Olongapo, which Is the
floating dock Dewey. I 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 it
started was noteworthy event of in
terest alike to our citizens and the
naval authorities Of the world. Be-
sides the beneficial and farreaching ef-
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
weathers 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
the national spirit. It is, moreover,
owing to it's intelligence, capable Of
quick, training into the modern man.
of-war's men. Our officers are earnest
and jealous tn their profession, but it
ts q 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. 49,. d., :. -,>.... :r 49,.
" Early In the coming session a CON-
prehensive plan for the reorganza-
ton of the officers Of all 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
is limited to two first class battleships
and one repair. vessel. -. ..:.-
The use of navy Is for military
purposes, and there has been found
need in the department of a 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
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 &C.
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-
vided in the present naval observatory
the most magnificent and expensive as
Economical establishment in the world.
1t is being used for certain naval pur-
poses which might easily and adequate
ly be subserved by small division
connected with the, navy department
at only a fraction Of the cost Of the
present naval observatory. The Of
fetal board Of visitors established by
congress and appointed in 1901 ex-.