New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-28

and other mineral deposits from private claim
ants. He has recommended that mineral lands
be merely leased to operators. and has secured
the reservation Of millions of Of forest
land. October l. 1901, the total area Of the
forest reserves was 46,153,119 acres. including
403 $40 acres in Alaska The conclusion Of
President Roosevelt's term finds the national
forests increased to approximately 1SS,500,000
acres including 100000 acres in Alaska and
60 100 in Porto Rico. The income to the gov
eminent from the national forests has increased
from $4,000 in 1905 to more than S1,S42OOo
for the fiscal year ended June 80, 1903, and
the resources OF the national forests are stun
far from developed TO their full capacity. The
forests are so administered that those who dt-
rectly benefit by the of the timber grown
pay for it at moderate prices, while the forests
themselves are so maintained that not only Is
the production maintained, but ultimately u
will be greatly increased.
Congress has not yielded to the recommends
tons Of the President that the mineral lands
be leased instead OF sold, but many minor re-
forms have been put in operation and the way
paved for others OF far greater importance
THE NAVY. @
No feature OF the national development has
received closer attention or greater encourage
rnent from President Roosevelt than the mill
tary establishment For the navy the annual
appropriations have increased from S650Uu0oo
In 1901 to S1S6OO0000 in 1905 The enlisted
force has increased from 10000 petty officers
and men TO A 500. and the funds for their coih-
pensation have increased from Sl6,oOooo 10
S31. 100000 Thirteen new battleships have been
added TO the navy, While the size OF battIeshps
has been gradually increased from 1900 tons
70 06 OOO tons legislative enactnepts have in
creased the corps of civil engineers and naval
constructors augmented the marine corps
added TO the number Of midshipmen, Increased
the nav Of officers and men and estaollshed
female nurse corps. Executive orders nave re-
suited in greatly increased efficiency In gun
merry and small arms practice, in the improved
physical condition of officers who are required
TO undergo an annual physical test, and IN the
nerfection of system OF range finding. BY act
of Congress naval bases have been established
at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and at Olongapo
Philippine Islands, and Guantanamo, in Cuba
The turbine has been developed as motor
for ships Of war, and vessels have been equipped
with oil burning apparatus, While the develop
uent of a 14-inch gun for the main battery or
battleshps marks distinct step in naval prog
ress By executive order the President has sent
the greatest American naval feet ever assem-
bled on a cruise around the world cruise just
completed practically without accident or IN
toward incident, while the efficiency Of the
feet has thus been materially increased and II
valuable experience has been secured.
THE ARMY.
The army has been increased from 300 Off
GERS and IS 900 enlisted men 10 ,473 officers and
So 30 enlisted men. The appropriations for
the army which reached their highest point as
A result of the Spanish war in 1902, when Sill
0o0OOO was appropriated, have been reduced to
Sl02 10000 The coast artillery has been or
ganized as a distinct corps and increased from
1900 TO 10000 men The field artillery has
been made part Of the mobile army and or
ganized into six regiments. Great progress in
establishing and equipping the coast defences
has been made through the hberality of Con
gress. Workmanship and physical prowess
have been developed and encouraged, and a sys-
tenn of nanoeuvre camps for developing the
highest state Of efficiency OF the militia has been
developed. Congress has converted the militia
into a part of the national army, available In
case Of need without disruption of its present
formation, ard has provided an annual appro-
priation of S50O0.0o0 for the equipment and
maintenance of tne militia The pay Of officers
and men has been increased, and practice
marches extensive manoeuvres and riding ex-
ercises have all contributed TO the increased eff
cheney of the army. Mr.. Roosevelt goes out Of
Office with the satisfaction of knowing that in
every possible respect he has promoted to the
utmost the increased usefulness and capability
of the personnel and material of every branch
of the military establishment.
NATIONAL RED CROSS.
incidental TO the development of the mill
tary establishment has been the MIA
ton Of the National Red Cross. which has been
nlaced on a business basis its accounts audited
by tho auditors Of the army and its usefulness