The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-09
SECRETARY Of WAR
ASKS TO MOBILIZE
IN PANAMA, HAWAII
Immediate Fertilization of
the Canal He Declares
Is Essent al
TAKES A SLAP AT
ANTl-CANTEENISTS
Declares Bad Health Of Men
in Some Gases Is Due to
Abolishing Intoxi-
eating Liquors

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-The i'm
mediate fertilization and mobilization
of troops in Panama and Hawaii for
the protection of American property
at those points: the passage of ma
tional volunteers bill allowing the
draughting of an efficient fighting
force in time of need and the ex-
tension of pay to the National Guard
under the condition that that body
be made available for general army
use were among the major sugges-
lions made by Secretary of war
Henry l.. Stimson in his annual re-
port to the president, which was MADE
public here tonight.
Continuing his list OF recommends
tions and comments upon the present
state of the United States army, Sec
rotary Stimson took a slap at the
anti canteenists, stating that the bad
health OF some of the men was d.
rectiy attributable to the abol .shment
OF mildly intoxicating liquors from
army post eanteens- He also advo-
Gated legislation to keep the Mill
tary academy at West Point up TO
It's fun capacity In point of attend
ance; the enactment of laws allowing
Porto Ricans citizenship; the retire.
ment Of federal employees upon PEN
sions after a stated number of years
Of service, the establishment Of
council OF national defense, composed
Of members of the army, navy ana
both houses Of congress, with view
TO bringing into closer relationship
these branches OF the government.
and legislation permitting the fed-
eral government to require the ex-
penditure of a certain portion OF the
income from business organizations
IAys
rivers for the Improvement of these
streams and rivers
Needs Of the Philippines.
The needs OF the Philippines were
summarized In recommendations for
the following legislation:
The early passage by the house of
representatives Of the bill authorizing
an increase Of the limit Of the bond
ed indebtedness for public works by
the Philippine government TO VS.
900, 900.
THAT, limiting the operations Of
the act to those to whom IL is neces-
ssry to continue in the service or
the Philippine government for long
periods. provision be made for just
retirement system.
That congress take up and affir-
ynatlveIy settle the question of the
disposition Of public and fr.ar lands
in the Philippines by increasing the
limitations now set upon the amount
of public lands which can be sold to
an individual TO an amount which
will better permit him to develop
and farm 1t at a profit.
More has been done In this decade
to maintain order. to develop indus
try and extend commerce. to increase
wages and raise the standard of liv-
a., tssE% ~
vide common language. TO reiev
distress and eradicate disease. to train
the different people of the Philippine
Islands in the art Of self government,
than was accomplished in the four
preceding centuries Of their history.
Reorganiye Foreign Troops.
The reorgan ,xation of the foreign
troops of the United States through
the reduction OF the number OF par
TALLY manned regiments and the es-
Enlistment Of full regiments In their
place. was highly commended by &C.
rotary Stimson as more efficient
and economic arrangement. He also
stated that orders had practically
been prepared which would bring to-
gether the d.sassociated units OF the
home army into tactical organiza-
ton of three infantry brigades. and
so far as possible a fair proportion
Of cavalry and artillery. The army
Is now scattered among some forty
nine army posts throughout the
United States.
Officially commenting on the md
inv OF the battieship Maine commits
sion. the report stated that ''the in
lures to the bottom of the Maine
were caused by an exterior explosion
OF a low form OF explosive between
frames 2s and 81. strake b, port side
Of the shin" This explosion, the re-
port stated. ignited the interior maya
zines and caused the destruction OF
the ship.
Particular stress was laid upon the
necessity for fort.fying and garrison
ing the Panama canal and Hawaii,
the report stating that the near APP
proach to completion of the big ditch
and the policy under which It is 10
be administered. together with the
establishment of naval base In
Hawaii made these measures neces-
sary. Three full strength regiments
Of infantry; squadron OF cavalry
and a battalion OF field artillery be-
side tho necessary troops to operate
the guns which protect the entrances
OF the canal were necessary to repel
landing forces from possible hostile
fleet IN the scanal zone. according to
fall below $500 men. The canal. said
the secretary, would probably be open
to traffic during the latter half OF
1918.
For the proper fertilization Of the
naval base at Hawaii the report
stated that It would be necessary ia
maintain in addition to the present
force of $4,000 men. exclusive OF
native troops an additional force OF
SIX full strength regiments Of tnfan-
try one regiment of cavalry and three
battalons Of field artillery.
The report stated that at the close
OF the fiscal year, June 80. 1912, the
actual strength OF the United States
army was 4,470 officers and 77.s35 en-
listed men. a total OF s2.305. and an
Increase since June so, 1911. OF lSs
of7icers and 1854 enlisted men