The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-11

our troops have protected the border
from incursions by individuals or small
raidin9 PARTIES from Mexico. have been
continually on the alert to- prevent VIC
lations Of tho neutrality laws and
have acted in conjunction with the
civil authorities 10 prevent Illegal i'm
rortut!ons OF arms and ammunition
into Mexico in violation of tho Presi-
dents proclamation OF March 4, l9l@.
THE duty Of our troops ri border
towns during the conflicts between the
two contending Mexican factions was
Of II most trying nature, and the con
duct of the troops under tho circum-
stances and the exercise OF good judg
mcnt and self restraint ON the part OF
commanding officers are highly crcdit-
able"
There were 9iss vacancies IN the
enlisted strength of The regular army
at the end OF the last fiscal year, when
its actual strength was 1885. ana the
assertions numbered 4,i5l. which was
il5 per cent Of tho whole number OF
enlistmcnts. Though larger than the
percentage for the three preceding
years. that was Yet smaller than the
percentage for any other year since
1901 The secretary feels That close
and sympathetic relationship between
the officers and men viii surely tend to
lessen dcscrtiou, ana Ire Is PERSONALS
dcvoting ~ much Of his time as he
can To the enlisted men--litcrally tho
backbone OF the army-and all that
concerns him
EncnmpmeDts Successful.
The Joint cncampments Of the army
and college students were highly sue
cessful. II is said that they foster a
patriotic spirit and spread among the
citizens 1t more thorough knowledge
OF military history. policy and needs
all necessary to the complete education
OF a well equipped citizen in order that
lie may himself form correct opinions
on military topics.
Mr.. Garrison recommends that in JUS
ticc to the hundreds OF eager boys"
who cannot get appointments nov.
Nest Point should be opened 90 the
widest competitions. SO that any boy
may take the examinations with the
condition that, If no candidate from
the PARTICULAR congressional district in
which there Is vacancy should quail
ify. the candidate WHO passed highest
from some other district whcro there
WAS no vacancy should receive the APP
puintmcnt.
The secretary refers TO the attempt
to stamp out slavery in the Philippines
and declares that if the existing law is
inadequate il should be strengthened
and il adequate, il should bc enforced
or the turning over OF the Philippine
commission to native control. he says
tho step which has now been taken
viii be carefully observed Those best
acquainted with conditions in the ISL
ands anticipate no evil consequences"
Independence Not Desired.
secretary Garrison declares that tho
demand for tho independence OF Porto
Rico represents the idea OF but IA fcw
people, and it Is idle To consider or dis
cuss any future Tor the people OF Porto
| Rico as separated from the United
states He docs. however. believe that
citizenship should be granted to Porto
iicans on individual application.
The secretary complains Of the heavy
reductions In appropriations for the
army. lie says. The effect ot these
cuts. which were mado with no refer
enco whatever 10 the military estab-
lishmcnt necessarily places me now In
the position Of either not asking for