Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-11
Annual Report
OF Sec. of War.

Washington, Dec 10.-In his annual
report to the President, today, Secre-
tary of War Stimson declared that
the contingency of war with first
class power would find the army of
the United States practically UMPIRE
pared.
He attributed this largely to the
fact that the army was scattered out
over the country" in too many posts,
to a lack of reserves The army on
the peace footing habitually maintain
ed, with miniature companies and
troops, he characterized as ineffec-
tive for any serious war service.
As,to the unpreparedness of the
army in artillery and ammunition,
Secretary Stimson says that lat the
present rate of appropriation it is
estimated that il would take more
than so years to secure a reasonable
supply of field artillery guns, car
rages and ammunition that would be
necessary in the event of war
The report makes the somewhat
startling statement that at con-
-seryative estimate the expense per ef-
feetive riheman in the United States
army is between two and five times
as much as any first-class power on
the continent of Europe. This compar
ison is made after excluding from
consideration the higher pay and bet
ter subsistence that American soldiers
receive. This fact is stated as an IL
Mstration, Secretary Stimson declares,
of the extravaganza of the existing
system of the wide distribution of the
army.
Dealing with insular affairs, the Sec
rotary of war urges that the right of
American citizenship be granted TO
the natives of Porto Rico. A Porto
Rican travelling abroad now is lit
orally q man without country and
Mr.. StimsoR says that a continued re-
fusal to grant citizenship to the is
landers viii "gravely wound the SEN
sibilities of this loyal people" The de-
mand for citizenship of the Porto
Ricans IS entirely disassociated from
any thought of statehood and it is
asserted that neither in the United
states nor in Porto Rico is there any
contemplation of statehood as the I'LL
innate form of government in the is
land.
Congress is urged to express its
wishes regarding the disposal of the
uEoccupied Friar lands in the Philip
pines to increase the limit of indebt-
edness which may, be incurred by the
Philippine government for public
works from $1,000, 600 to $15,000,000 TO
pass Philippine naturalization law
and to grant pensions to Americans
who have served 10 years in the is
lands
Secretary Stimson recommends that
the permanent organization to operate
the Panama canal be established on
a strictly business basis and not with
the idea of uplifting or governing a
dependent people. The question of
tolls, he believes, should be left to the
determination of the President. based
upon acquired experience American
shipping should be granted practically
free use of the canal The Interstate
Commerce Commission should extend
its jurisdiction over the new trans
continental route through the water
way and to regulate rates, thus pre-
venting the great railway interests
from exercising control. While the
government should build and operate
drydoeks, repair shops and coallng
stations along the canal. Secretary
Stlmson urges the opportunity be OIL
fered for the sale of coal and ether
supplies bN private persons.
Secretary Stimson takes stand
with his predecessors, Root. Taft,
Wright and Dickinson, in favor of a
system of selection in making army
promotions instead of complete reli-
ance upon the rule of seniority. He