Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-07

tempt II. The amount of misinforma-
ton that creeps into arguments pro
and con In respect to tariff rates Is
such as to require the kind OF investi-
cation that I have directed the tariff
board to make. an investigation under
taken by it wholly without respect to
the effect which the facts may have In
calling for a readjustment of the rates
OF duty.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
In the interest of immediate economy
and because of the prospect of q de-
felt, / have required a reduction in
the estimates OF the War Department
FOR the coming fiscal year, which brings
the total estimates down to ar amount
forty-five millions less than the corre-
spending estimates for last year. This
could only be accomplished by cutting
Off new projects and suspendfng for the
period OF one year all progress in MILL
tary matters. Fol the same reason I
nave directed tina the Army shall MOI
be recruited up to It's present author.
lied strength. These measures can
hardly be more than temporary-to last
until our are IN better condi.
ton and until the whole question of
VI aQOptlQk u 0t0QiLe
military policy can be submitted to
Congress, for I am sure that the in
~terests of the military establishment
arc seriously In need of careful con.
sideration 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 organization
can be modified so as to produce a
force which would be more consistently
apportioned throughout its numerous
branches.
To explain the circumstances
upon which this opinion II based
wonld neceasitatc . lengthy dis
cnssion, and 1 p~ostpope It until the
hrst convenient opportunity shall
arise to send to I special
message upon this subject.
The Secretary Of War calls attention
to a number of needed changes In the
Army, In all of which / concur, but the
point upon which | place most emphasis
Is the need for an elimination bill pro-
viding q method by which the merits
OF officers shall have some effect upon
their advancement and by which the
advancement of all may be accelerated
by the effective elimination of a definite
FAoPcA - vi II tCdoJ GiiCtCnI. lHtIc
are In every army, and certainly in
ours, a 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 such
aptitude and skill and character for
high command as to justify their re-
manning in the active service to be pro-
NOTED. Provision should be made by
which they may be retired on a GER
tain proportion OF their a. 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 / shall make
further reference. Such o law is need
ed quite as much for the Army.
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 feet from entering the
harbors defended. There is. however,
one place where additional defense fB
badly needed, and that Is at the mouth
of Chesapeake Bay, where 1t is pro-
posed to make an artificial island for a
fort which shall prevent an enemy's
fleet from entering this most important
stragetical 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 it 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, Inc nave expressed their judE-
ment, In which I fully concur, In favor
of making an extensive naval base at
Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, and NOT
In the Philippines. This does not dis
pense with the necessity for the COM
paratively small appropriations required
to finish the proper coast defenses In
the Philippines now under construction
on the Island of Corregidor and else.
where, or to complete a suitable repair
station n coaling supply station at
Olongapo, where is the floating dock
Dewey l hope that this recommenda-
tion of the joint board will end the dis
cussion Is to the comparative merits OF
Manila Bay and Olongapo as naval
stations and will lead to promnt meas
ures for the proper equipment n de.
Tense OF Pearl Harbor.
THE NAVY.
The return of the battieship feet from
it's voyage around the world In more
efficient condition than when 1t started
was a. noteworthy event of interest
alike to our citizens. and the naval au.
thorities of the world. Besides the
beneficial n far-reaching effect on our
personal n 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 representative of the ma
tional spirit. It is, moreover, owing to
its Intelligence. capable of quick train
ing into the modern man-of-warsnan.
Our officers are earnest and jealous In
their profession. but it Is a regrettable
fact that tho 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 abIy and earpasttv nraoo1<ea a.