Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-08

that already made for its prosecu'
ton.
War Department.
In the interest OF immediate econ
omy and because Of the prospect oil
deficit. have required a reduction
In the estimates o: the war depart
ment for the coming fiscal year which
brings the total estimates down to
an amount forty-flye millions less
than the corresponding estimates for
last year This could only be oc'
complished by eating OF new pro-
jects in military matters. For the
same reason | nave directed that the
army shall not be recruited up 20 ITS
present authorized strength. These
measures can hardly be more than
temporary last until our revenues
are IN better condition and pntil the
whole question OF the expediency or
adopting q definite military policy can
By submitted TO congress, for ! am
sure that the interests OF the military
establishment are seriously In need
of careful consideration by congre3s.
The laws regulating the organization
OF our armed forces In the event OF
war need 20 be revised in order tat
the organization can be modified so
as to produce a force which would be
more consistently apporuoned
throughout It's numerous branches. To
explain the circumstances upon which
this opinion is based would neceSsi-
tata-a lengthy discussion. and | post
pone 1t until the first convenient OPP
portunity shall arise TO send to con-
gross n special message upon this
subject.
The secretary OF war calls alien
ton to q number OF needed changes
in the army IN all of which | concur,
but the. point upon which l place
most emphasis sthe need of an
elimination bill providing a method
BY which the merits OF officers shall
have some effect upon their advance
ment and by which the advancement
of all may accelerated by the eifec-
tive elimination of II definite proper
ton of the least efficient There arc
IN every army. and certainly in ours,
a number OF officers who do not v,o-
late their duty In any such way as 10
give reason for u court martial or
dismissal, but who do not show such
aptitude and skill and character for
high command as TO justify their re-
naming In the active service TO he
promoted. Provision SHOULD be
made by which they may be retired
on a certain proportion OF their pay.
increasing with their length of ser
vice at the time OF retirement. mere
IS now a personnel law fcT the navy
which itself needs amendment and 90
which ! shall make further reference.
Such a law is needed quite as much
for the army.
Chesapeake Bay Fcrt.
The coast oeTenses OF the United
States proper are generally all that
could be desired, and in some re-
spects they are rather more elaborate
than under present conditions are
needed to stop an eremy's fleet from
entering the harbors defended. There
is, however, one place where addition
81 defense IS badly needed. and that
Is al the mouth OF Chesapeake Bay,
where Il hs proposed to make an ar
tificial island fcr q tort which snail
prevent an enemy's fest from enter
ing this most important strategicai
base OF operations on the whole At
Iant;c and Gulf coasts. / hope that
appropriate legislation Will be adopted
TO secure the construction of this Ge-
Tense.
The military and naval joint beard
have unanimously agreed that II
would be unwise to make the large
expenditures which at one time were
contemplated in the establishment OF
a naval base and station in the Philip
pine Islands, and have expressed
their judgment, in which ] fully con-
cur. IN favor OF making an extensive
naval base at Pearl HarDor, near
Honoiulu. and not in the Philip
The Navy.
The return OF the batileship feet
from its voyage around the world. In
more efficient condition than whsn it
started, was a noteworthy event Of in
tere.st alike to our citizens and the
naval authorities OF the world BESIDES
the beneficial and far-reaching effect