The daily sentinel., 1909-12-07

seriously in need of careful consider
alton by congress. The laws regu-
| lating the organization of our armed
! forces in the event of war need to
| be revised in order that the organi-
zation can be modified so as to pro-
duce force which would be more
consistently apportioned throughout
| its numerous branches. To explain
/ the circumstances upon which this
| opinion is based would necessitate a
| lengthy discussion, and / postpone 1t
until the first convenient opportunity
shall arise to send to congress a spe-
cial message upon this subject
"The secretary of war calls atten
tion to a number OF needed changes
in the army, in all of which | con-
cur; but the point upon which /
place most emphasis is the need for
an elimination bill providing a meth
cd by which the merits of officers
shall have some effect upon their ad-
vancement and by which the ad-
vancement of all may be accelerated
by the effective elimination of a def
mite proportion of the least efficient.
There are in every army, and GER
tainly in ours, 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 aptitude and skill and
character 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 a certain proportion of
their pay. increasing with their
length of service at the time of re-
tirement. There is now personnel
law for the navy which itself needs
amendment and to which I 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 desired. and in some re-
spects they are rather 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 addi-
tional defense is badly needed and
that is at the mouth of Chesapeake
bay, where ii is proposed to make an
artificial island for n fort which shall
prevent an enemy's fleet from enter
ing this most important strategical
base OF operations on the whole At
lantic and gulf coasts. / hope that
appropriate legislation will be adopt
ed to secure the const ruction of this
defense.
THE military and naval joint
board have unanimously agreed that
1t 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 Phil
ippine islands and have expressed
their judgment, in which / fully con-
cur, 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 fin
ish the proper coast defenses in the
Philippines now under construction
on the island of Corregidor and else
where, or to complete a suitable re-
pair station and coaling supply sta
tion at Olongapo, where is the float
ing dock Dewey. l hope that this
recommendation OF the joint bill will
end the discussion as to the compara-
tive merits of Manila bay and Olong-
apo as naval stations. and will lead
to prompt assurances for the proper
anu utlthSt VI earl
Dor.
The Navy.
The return of the battleship fleet
from its voyage around the world, in
more efficient condition than when 1t
started, was noteworthy event of
interest 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 schedule
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 representa-
tive of the national spirit. 1t is.
morever, owing to its intelligence
capable of quick training into the
modern man-of-warsmen. Our of
| ficers are earnest and Jealous in
their profession, but it is a regretta-
BILE 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-
tion.
Early in the coming session, a
| comprehensive plan for the re-organ-
tZation of the officers of all corps
of the navy will be presented to CON
sress, and | hope it will meet with
| action suited to IS urgency.
Owing to the necessity for econ
omy in expenditures. l have directed
the curtailment of recommendations
for naval appropriations so that they
are thirty-eight millions less than the
corresponding estimates of last year.
and the request for new naval con-
struction is limited to two first class