In order that these possessions might stiffer no seeming neglect, I have recently sent Col.  Carmi A. Thompson to the islands to make a survey in cooperation with the Governor General to suggest what might be done to improve conditions.  Later, I may make a more extended report including recommendations.  The economic development of the islands is very important.  They ought not to be turned back to the people until they are both politically fitted for self-government and economically independent.  Large areas are adaptable to the production of rubber.  No one contemplates any time in the future either under the present or a more independent form of government when we should not assume some responsibility for their defense.  For their economic advantage, for the employment of their people, and as a contribution to our power of defense which could not be carried on without rubber, I believe this industry should be encouraged.  It is especially adapted to the Filipino people themselves, who might cultivate it individually on a small acreage.  It could be carried on extensively by American capital in a way to furnish employment at good wages.  I am opposed to the promotion of any policy that does not provide for absolute freedom on the part of the wage earners and do not think we should undertake to give power for large holdings of land in the islands against the opposition of the people of the locality.  Any development of the islands must be solely with the first object of benefiting the people of the islands.  At an early day, these possessions should be taken out from under all military control and administered entirely on the civil side of government.

NATIONAL DEFENSE

Our policy of national defense is not one of making war, but of insuring peace.  The land and sea force of America, both in its domestic and foreign implications, is distinctly a peace force.  It is an arm of the police power to guarantee order and the execution of the law at home and security to our citizens abroad.  No self-respecting nation would neglect to provide an army and navy proportionate to its population, the extent of its territory, and the dignity of the place which it occupies in the world.  When it is considered that no navy in the world, with one exception, approaches ours and none surpasses it, that our Regular Army of about 115,000 men is the equal of any other like number of troops, that our entire permanent and reserve land and sea force trained and training consists of a personnel of about 610,000, and that our annual appropriations are about $680,000,000 a year, expended under the direction of an exceedingly competent staff, it can not be said that our country is neglecting its national defense.  It is true that a cult of disparagement exists, but that candid examination made by the Congress through its various committees has always reassured the country and demonstrated that it is maintaining the most adequate defensive forces in these present years that it has ever supported in time of peace.