Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-06

country and of the world it seems to
me wise and proper TO make provi-
sion by law for such reward to him as
may be commensurate with the serv-
ice that he has rendered to his coun-
try. / suggest that this reward take
the form Of an appointment of Colo
mel Goethals as a major general in the
army OF the United States and that the
law authorizing such appointment be
accompanied with a provision per-
hitting his designation as chief of en-
gineers upon the retirement of the
present incumbent of that Office.
Navy Department.
The navy of the United States is in
a greater state Of efficiency and is
more powerful than it has ever been
before, but in the emulation which ex-
lists between different countries in re-
spect to the increase of naval and mil
itary ornaments this condition is not
q permanent one. In view Of the many
improvements and increases by for
eign governments the slightest halt on
our part in respect to new construc-
ton throws US back and reduces us
from a naval power of the first rank
and places us among the nations of the
second rank In the past fifteen years
the navy has expanded rapidly and yet
far less rapidly than our country.
From now on reduced expenditures
in the navy mean reduced military
strength. The worlds history has
shown the Importance of sea power
both for adequate defense and for the
support of important and definite poll
cieS.
/ had the pleasure Of attending this
autumn a mobilization of the Atlantic
feet and was glad to observe and note
the preparedness of the fleet for in
slant action. The review brought be
fore the president and the secretary of
the navy a greater and more powerful
collection of vessels than had ever
been gathered in American waters.
The condition of the feet and of the
officers and enlisted men and of the
equipment of the vessels entitled those
in authority to the greatest credit.
I again commend to congress the Civ
ing Of legislative sanction to the ap,
pointment of the naval aids TO the sec
rotary of the navy. These aids and the
council of aids appointed by the score
tary OF the navy to assist him in the
conduct Of his department have proved
TO be of the highest utility. They have
] furnished an executive committee OF
the most skilled naval experts, who
have co-ordinated the action of the vari
Gus bureaus in the navy and by their
advice have enabled the secretary to
! give an administration at the same
time economical and most efficient.
Never before has the United States
had a navy that compared in efficiency
with its present one, but never before
have the requirements with respect to
naval warfare been higher and more
exacting than now. A year ago con
gress refused TO appropriate for more
than one battleship. In this think a
great mistake of policy was made. and
l urgently recommend that this con.
gress make up for the mistake of the
| last session by appropriations authoriz
ing the construction of three battle,
ships. in addition to destrOyers. fue
ships and the other auxiliary vessels
as shown in the building program OF
the general board. We are confronted
by a condition in respect to the navies
or the world which requires US, IL we
would maintain our navy as an insur-
ance Of peace, 10 augment our naval
force 6y al least two battleships yeaI
and by battle cruisers, gunboats, tor