The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-08

be promoted Provision should be made
by which they may be retired on a GER
tain proportion of their pay, increasing
with their length of service at the time
of retirement. There is now a personnel
law for the navy which itself needs
amendment and to which 1 shall make
further reference. Such a law is needed
quite as much for the army.
The coast defenses of the United States
proper are generally all that could be de-
sired, and in some respects they are rath-
err more elaborate than under present
conditions are needed to stop an enemy's
fleet from entering the harbors defended.
There Is, however, one place where adj
ditional defense is badly needed. and that
is at the mouth of Chesapeake bay, where
it is proposed to make an artificial ISL
and for a fort which shall prevent an
enemy's feet from entering this most i'm
portant strategical base OF operations on
the whole Atlantic and gulf coasts.
hope that appropriate legislation will be
adopted to secure the construction of
this defense.
The military and naval joint board have
unanimously agreed that 1t would be I'M
wise to make the large expenditures
which at one time were contemplated
In the establishment of a naval base
and station in the Philippine Islands, and
have expressed their judgment, In which
1 fully concur. in favor of making an
extensive naval base at Pearl Harbor,
near Honolulu, and not in the Philip
pines. This does not dispense with the
necessity for the comparatively small
appropriations required to finish the prop
er coast defenses in the Philippines now
under construction on the island of Cor
regidor and elsewhere or to complete
suitable repair station and coalng sup
ply station at Olongapo. where is the
floating dock Dewey" I hope that this
recommendation of the joint board will
end the discussion as to the comparative
merits of Manila bay and Olongapo as
naval stations and will lead to prompt
measures for the proper equipment and
defense of Pearl Harbor
The Navy.
The return of the battleship fleet from
it's voyage around the world, in more eff
ficient condition than when It started.
was noteworthy event of interest alike
to our citizens and the naval authorities
of the world Besides the beneficial and
far-reaching effect on our personal and
diplomatic relations In the countries which
the feet visited, 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 ma
tional spirit. 1t is, moreover. owing to
its intelligence, capable Of quick train
ing into the modern man-of-warsmen.
Our officers are earnest and jealous in
their profession. but 1t 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 tn navy has been
ably and earnestly presented to Congress
by my predecessor, and l also urgently
recommend the subject for consideration.
Early in the coming session a compre-
hensive plan for the reorganization of the
officers of all corps of the navy will be
presented to Congress, and | hope 1t will
meet with action suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy in
expenditures, have directed the curtail-
meut OF recommendations for naval APP
propriations so that they are $S8 .000. 900 less
than the corresponding estimates of last
year. and the request for new naval CON
struction Is limited to two first-class
battleships and one repair vessel.
The use of navy Is for military
purposes. and there has been forrd
need in the department of a military
branch dealing directly with the milf
tary use of the fleet. The Secretary
of the Navy has also left the lack of Z
responsible advisers to aid him in
reaching conclusions and deciding i'm
portant matters between coordinate
bra CHI es of the department. To secure
these results he has inaugurated a
tentative plan involving certain changes
In the organization OF the navy de-
partment, including the navy yards. all
Of which have been found by the Attor-