The message closes with a plea for
the maintenance of the navy at its pres
ent standard, to do which he says wouldi
mean the building of one battleship each
year. Of the present efficiency of the
army and navy he says:
"The readiness and efficiency of both the
army and navy in dealing with the re
cent sudden crisis in Cuba illustrates
afresh their value to the nation. This
readiness and efficiency would have been
very much less had it not been for the
existence of the general staff in the army
and the general board In the navy both
are essential to the proper development
and use of our military forces afloat and!
ashore. The troops that were sent to
Cuba were handled flawlessly.' It waa
the swiftest mobilization and dispatch of
troops over sea ever accomplished by
our government. The expedition landed!
completely equipped and ready for im
mediate service, several of its organiza
tions hardly remaining in Havana over
night before splitting up into detach
ments and going to their several posts.
It was a fine demonstration of the valor
and efficiency of the general staff. Sim
ilarly, it was owing in large part to the
general board that the navy was able
at the outset to meet the Cuban crisis
with such instant efficiency ship after
ship appearing on the shortest notice at
anv threatened point, while the marine
corps in particular performed indispens
able service. The army and navy war
colleges are of incalculable value to the
two services, and they cooperate witn
constantly increasing efficiency and im
portance.
