The Armed Strength of the World.

COMPILED from the latest available data. For the Army and Navy of the United States, see pages devoted thereto. [Consult Index. ]

LAND FORCES OF THE PRINCIPAL STATES OF EUROPE, AND OF JAPAN; ALSO OF THE SECONDARY STATES OF EUROPE, ASIA AND AMERICA.

"Except as to some of the principal and a few of the minor States, it is doubtful whether the numbers given of the reserves or auxiliary forces could be mobilized and made effective within a considerable period of time. These estimates of unorganized force are based on the presumption that about 12 per cent, of the male population is of the military age. From these estimates, the organized forces are deducted. a Including the Indian army (76, 883) and Colonial troops (59,478). b Militia and Volunteers. c Exclusive of troops in the Colonies and in Africa. dExclusive of the Colonial army, 36, 599 officers and men. eNational militia, available for immediate service. Excluding forces of States or Territories only nominally subject to the Sultan. gArmy now being reorganized. hSix divisions, about 10,000 men each, of a National army already organized; 36 such divisions contemplated. i Provincial organizations; number estimated upon best information available. Estimated in absence of reliable information. k Estimated. No reserve organized, but every able-bodied citizen is subject to military service.

The system of small peace effectives and large reserves, conjoined with that of universal military service, as distinct from the "conscription" which formerly obtained. has been adopted by almost every country in Europe, and by Japan. No payment of substitutes is now permitted, and exemptions are confined to students of the learned professions, young men who are the sole support of their families, or who have a brother already serving, and the like. Conscription of the old type now exists only in a few of the minor European countries.

ARMED STRENGTH OF THE WORLD-Continued.

COST OF MAINTAINING ARMIES AND NAVIES.

The net cost of the British Army and its operations, according to estimates for 1907-08, will amount to $138,800,000, while the cost of maintaining the Navy will approximate $160,000,000. The United States Army budget for the past fiscal year amounted to over $103,000,000, and for the Navy over $104,000,000. Empire entered in the budget for 1906-07 amounted in all to $206,000,000, while the estimate The military expenditure of the German for the Navy was $68,000,000. The estimated cost of maintaining the French Army in 1907 is $189,000,000, and the Navy $65,000,000. Italy, during the present fiscal year, expects to spend $30,000,000 on her Navy, and a still larger sum on the Army. $40,000,000 for upbuilding her Navy in 1907, and Austro-Hungary $9,000,000. Russia spent Previous to the war with Russia the military expenditure of Japan was less than $25,000,000. The expenditure during the war from October, 1903, to May, 1905, amounted to $500,000,000 for the Army and $90,000,000 for the Navy. Since then the annual military expenditure amounts to between $35,000,000 and $40,000,000, but this is increasing.

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF NAVIES.

Secretary of the Navy Metcalf, in his annual report, December 1, 1907, made the following statement of the relative efficiency of the principal nations of the world:

$36,112 Russia
771,758 Italy
680,602 Austria

374,701 Great Britain. 1,821,610 Japan
232,943 France
207,623 United States.
113,235 Germany

Tonnage.

451,320

320,040

288,433

116,235

The Secretary made the following comments: It is true that our Navy at the present time is the second in efficiency. Our position, however, is largely due to the fact that during the last fiscal year our sea strength and fighting efficiency have been increased by the completion and delivery of a number of new battleships and cruisers of the largest and most approved type, but we will not maintain this position very long unless Congress shall authorize the building of additional ships. It is of the highest importance that old and practically obsolete ships be replaced by ships of the newest type. It is pretty generally conceded that the battleship is the fighting machine, and it is also pretty generally conceded that the most effective battleship is the all-big-gun ship of the Delaware type. As compared with other naval powers, we are deficient in destroyers and submarines, and are also woefully deficient in colliers.

I have given the most careful consideration to the reports of both boards, and earnestly recommend that Congress authorize, at its coming session, the construction of the following vessels:

Approximate
Unit Cost.
$9,500,000

Total Cost. $38,000,000

2,500,000

10,000,000

THE MARINE CORPS.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the general efficiency and discipline of the corps; make such distribution of officers and men for duty at the seyeral shore stations as shall appear to him to be most advantageous for the interest of the service, furnishes guards for vessels of the Navy, according to the standard scale of allowance, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, issues orders for the movement of officers and troops, and such other orders and instructions for their guidance as may be necessary, and has charge and exercises general supervision and control of the recruiting service of the corps and of the necessary expenses thereof, including the establishment of recruiting officers.

BUREAU OF NAVIGATION.

The duties of the Bureau of Navigation of the Navy Department comprise all that relates to the promulgation, record, and enforcement of the Secretary's orders to the fleets and to the officers of the Navy, except such orders as pertain to the office of the Secretary; the education of officers and men, including the Naval Academy and technical schools for officers (except the War College and Torpedo School), the apprentice establishment, and schools for the technical education of enlisted men, and to the supervision and control of the Naval Home, Philadelphia; the enlistment and discharge of all enlisted persons, including appointed petty officers for general and special service. It controls all rendezvous and receiving ships, and provides transportation for all enlisted persons and appointed petty officers; establishes the complement of the crews of all vessels in commission; keeps the records of service of all squadrons, ships, officers, and men, and prepares the annual Naval Register for publication; has under its direction the preparation, revision and enforcement of all tactics, drill books, signal codes, cipher codes, and the uniform regulations.

The Enitiative and Referendum.

The political institutions known as Initiative and Referendum are those by which the body of the electorate may initiate measures to be enacted by their own vote into laws, and by which laws enacted by the Legislatures are referred to and approved and rejected by the people. The first appearance of these propositions was in Switzerland about the sixteenth century, but made great strides there in recent years, being in effect in every canton except Freiburg. The Referendum may be divided into Referendums of (a) entire constitutions, (b) amendments to constitutions, (c) of laws affecting the whole State, and (d) of laws affecting parts of States or localities only.

REFERENDUMS OF WHOLE CONSTITUTIONS.

Massachusetts in 1778 was the first State to refer its whole constitution to popular approval, followed closely by New Hampshire (1783), Connecticut (1818), and Maine (1819), Rhode Island (1824, rejected), New York (the first State out of New England, in 1821), Virginia (1829), Georgia (1833), Tennessee (1834), North Carolina and Michigan, in 1835. Since 1835 all new Constitutions except those of Delaware (1895), Mississippi (1890), and South Carolina (1895) have been submitted to popular vote after leaving the hands of the Convention or Legislature.

AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTIONS.

Amendments to Constitutions are made by Conventions called on a Referendum in thirty States Alabama, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming and in fifteen-Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont--by the Legislature, and are referable to the people in forty-three States, the exceptions being Delaware and South Carolina.

LAWS AFFECTING THE WHOLE STATE.

1. When the vote of the people is authorized by the Constitution. This is the Referendum in its narrower sense, and in this aspect is now a matter of political interest. The Constitution of South Dakota (1898) provides: "The legislative power of the State shall be vested in a Legislature, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives, except that the people expressly reserve to themselves the right to propose measures (initiative), which measures the Legislature shall enact and submit to a vote of the electors of the State, and aso the right to require that any laws which the Legislature may have enacted shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the State before going into effect." The Constitution of Oregon (1902) contains a similar provision. So far, however, no other State has incorporated this initiative and referendum clause in general terms in its Constitution. Special provisions, nevertheless, are the subject of referendum, as the location of the capital of the State and of State institutions, the limitation of expenditure or of the debt, and in Colorado, Montana, Idaho, and Utah the maximum tax rate, the franchise and many like questions.

2. When no authorization for such vote is contained in the Constitution. The reference of general laws to the people in the absence of express constitutional authority was early attempted, but has generally been held unconstitutional. Barto vs. Himrod, 4 Seld (N. Y.) 483, is the leading case. But the reference of a time when a law shall take effect has been held constitutional-upon this many of the State prohibitory Liquor Laws are based. as in Michigan (1852), Vermont (1852). Maine (1858), North Carolina (1881). Other matters of a general nature have been so referred-e. g., the seat of Government (California, 1850), free schools (New York, 1849), minority representation on corporations (New Hampshire, 1880), contract labor in prisons (New York, 1883), Chinese immigratlon (Nevada, 1880), woman suffrage (Massachusetts, 1895).

LAWS AFFECTING PARTS OF STATES OR LOCALITIES ONLY.

The reference of such laws to the vote of the people of the locality affected is held to be not unconstitutional in legislation determining the area, boundaries, etc., of local political districts; the selection of county seats and sites, the selection of a corporate name, and the choice of a city charter or local government, in which the referendum is made obligatory in some States. So, also, propositions to remove the fire and police departments of Jersey City were referred to the inhabitants in 1885; to reform the Civil Service in any city of Illinois (1895); to increase the number of supervisors in Iowa (1897), Nebraska (1897), North Dakota (1895), and Ohio (1896). Every phase of legislation in which there is danger to the legislator is apt at some time to be so referred, including loan bills and financial proposals of all kinds.

THE INITIATIVE.

The initiative is either a right reserved by the people of a State in their Constitution to originate propositions to be enacted into law by the Legislature and ratified by the vote of the people, or that giving a number of voters in a community the right to cause an election to be held upon a permitted question (as whether liquor shall be sold in the town), and if the vote be in favor of a change then the new condition to obtain under a previously passed statute of the State Legislature. The initiative in its larger aspect has authority only in South Dakota and Oregon, and there its operation excludes only matters of emergency, as the preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. In its local aspect it has been called in to inaugurate a vast variety of matters of local interest, prohibition, county seats, live stock and fencing laws, high-school laws-finding its greatest development in Oregon, South Dakota, Nebraska. California, and Iowa.

The Initiative and Referendum constitute a political force or medium opposed in action to the Legislature as the delegated authority of the people, and the various labor and people's parties have turned to them as a means of holding in their own hands a larger measure of the sovereign power which, under the older theories of government, was entirely delegated to their representatives.

The Enland Waterways Convention.

The President of the United States on November 17. 1907, issued an invitation to the Governors of the States and Territories to meet him at the White House, Washington, on May 13, 14, and 15, 1908, to discuss the question of means to conserve the natural resources of the country. Invitations are to be extended to the members of the two Houses of Congress and to the Inland Waterways Commission.

The following is the text of the invitation to each of the Governors:

The natural resources of the territory of the United States were, at the time of the settlement, richer, more varied, and more available than those of any other equal area on the surface of the earth. The development of these resources has given up, for more than a century, a rate of increase in population and wealth undreamed of by the men who founded our Government and without parallel in history. It is obvious that the prosperity which we now enjoy rests directly upon these resources. It is equally obvious that the vigor and success which we desire and foresee for this Nation in the future must have this as the ultimate material basis.

In view of these evident facts, it seems to me time for the country to take account of its natural resources and to inquire how long they are likely to last. We are prosperous now; we should not forget that it will be just as important to our descendants to be prosperous in their time as it is to us to be prosperous in our time.

"Recently I expressed the opinion that there is no other question now before the Nation of equal gravity with the question of the conservation of our natural resources, and I added that it is the plain duty of those of us who, for the moment, are responsible to make inventory of the natural resources which have been handed down to us, to forecast as well as we may the needs of the future, and so to handle the great sources of our prosperity as not to destroy in advance all hope of the prosperity of our descendants. "It is evident that the abundant natural resources on which the welfare of this Nation rests are becoming depleted, and in not a few cases are already exhausted. This is true of all portions of the United States; It is especially true of the longer settled communities of the East. The gravity of the situation must, I believe, appeal with special force to the Governors of the States, because of their close relations to the people and their responsibility for the welfare of their communities.

"I have therefore decided, in accordance with the suggestion of the Inland Waterways Commission, to ask the Governors of the States and Territories to meet at the White House on May 13, 14, and 15, to confer with the President and with each other upon the conservation of natural resources. It gives me great pleasure to invite you to take part in this conference. I should be glad to have you select three citizens to. accompany you and to attend the conference as your assistants or advisers, I shall also invite the Senators and Representatives of the Sixtieth Congress to be present at the sessions, so far as their duties will permit.

"The matters to be considered at this conference are not confined to any region or group of States, but are of vital concern to the Nation as a whole, and to all the people. Those subjects include the use and conservation of the mineral resources, the resources of the land, and the resources of the waters in every part of our territory.

"In order to open discussion I shall invite a few recognized authorities to present brief descriptions of actual facts and conditions without argument, leaving the conference to deal with each topic as it may elect. The members of the Inland Waterways Commission will be present, in order to share with me the benefit of information and suggestion, and, if desired, to set forth their provisional plans and conclusions.

"Facts which I cannot gainsay force me to believe that the conservation of our natural resources is the most weighty question now before the people of the United States. If this is so, the proposed conference, which is the first of its kind, will be among the most important gatherings in our history in its effect upon the welfare of all our people.

"I earnestly hope, my dear Governor, that you will find it possible to be present. Sincerely yours, **THEODORE ROOSEVELT."

National Grange, Patrous of Husbandry.

Master-N. J. Bachelder, Concord, N. H. Overseer-T. C. Atkeson, Morgantown, W. Va. Lecturer -George W. F. Gaunt, Mullica Hill, N. J. Steward-J. A. Newcomb, Golden, Col. Assistant Steward-C. D. Richardson, West Brookfield, Mass. Chaplain-O. S. Wood, Ellington. Ct. Treasurer-Mrs. Eva S. McDowell, Rome, N. Y. Secretary—C, M. Freeman, Tippecanoe City, Ohio. Gate Keeper-A. C. Powers, Beloit, Wis. Ceres Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson, College Park, Md. Flora-Mrs. Ida Judson, Balfour, Iowa. Pomona-Mrs. Sarah G. Baird, Edina Mills, Minu. I. A. Steward-Mrs. Joanna Walker, Marshallton, Del. High Priest-George B. Horton, Fruit Ridge, Mich. Priest Archon-N. J. Bachelder, Concord, N. H. Priest Annalist-F, E. Marchant, Kingston, RI. The following proposed legislation is favored by the National Grange, representing the farmers of the United States:

1. Free delivery of mails in the rural districts be placed upon the same permanent footing as the delivery of mails in the cities and the appropriations to be commensurate with the demands and the benefits of the service. 2. Postal saving banks, 3. Election of United States Senators by direct vote of the people. 4. An amendment to the Constitution granting the power to Congress to regulate and control all corporations and combinations. 5. Enlargement of the powers and duties of the Inter.state Commerce Commission, giving it authority to determine what changes shall be made or what practices are discriminative or unreasonable, and their findings to be immediately operative and so to continue until overruled by the courts. 6. Regulation of the use of shoddy. 7. Pure food laws. 8. Extension of the markets for farm products equally with manufactured articles, 9. An anti-trust law, clearly defining what acts on the part of any corporation would be detrimental to public welfare. 10. The speedy construction of a ship canal connecting the Mississippi River with the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. 11. Revision of the fees and salaries of all Federal officers, and placing them on a basis of similar service in private business. 12. Parcels post, tele phone and telegraph in the mail service. 13. National and State aid to improve the public highways. The National Grange has established over 30,000 subordinate granges in forty-four States and Territories.

The Statehood of Oklahoma.

By Chapter 3,335 of the Statutes of the United States, passed at the First Session of the Fiftyninth Congress, and approved June 16, 1906, it was provided that the inhabitants of the Territory of Oklahoma and of the Indian Territory may adopt a constitution and become the State of Oklahoma on complying with the following requirements: They shall vote for and choose delegates to a Constitutional Convention, at an election ordered by the Governor of the Territory of Oklahoma and the senior Judge in service in the United States Courts in the Indian Territory jointly, sixty days prior to said election and within six months after the approval of this act. The delegates so elected shall meet at Guthrie, Oklahoma, on the second Tuesday after their election, and proceed to form a constitution and State Government for said State. Said constitution shall be submitted to the people for ratification or rejection at a time designated by said convention. It shall be the duty of the President of the United States within twenty days after the receipt of the certificate of the result of such election, if said constitution shall have been ratified, to issue a proclamation announcing th result, and thereupon the proposed State of Oklahoma shall be deemed admitted by Congress into the Union, under and by virtue of this act, on an equal footing with the original States, "

The election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention under this act was held on November 6, 1906. The Constitutional Convention met at Guthrie on November 20, 1906, and after a session of four months formed a State Constitution which was submitted to the people September 17, 1907, and was adopted by an overwhelming majority. At the same election five representatives in Congress and State Officers were elected. election returus for results.)

THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

(See

The most notable feature of the State Constitution was its provisions for the regulation of corporations. In line with its other corporation provisions were the adoption of 2-cent passenger fares, electric lines not included, and the abolition of the doctrine of the fellow-servant.

The initiative and referendum was given a prominent place in the constitution, but the right of recall usually regarded as practically a parallel proposition, was rejected. Separate schools for white and negro children were provided; all other races than negroes being classed as "white."

The State was given the right to engage in any business or occupation, but the grant was limited by the qualification that it shall be for public purposes.''

Trial by jury was granted in contempt cases for violations of injunctions or orders of restraint, and an opportunity to be heard must be given on all contempts before punishment is imposed. Threefourths jury verdicts were provided for in civil cases and criminal cases less than felony. The grand jury system was not made mandatory. Persons were granted immunity from prosecution if their testimony incriminated themselves.

Records, books and films of all corporations shall be subject to full visitation and inquisition, notwithstanding the immunities and privileges conferred by the bill of rights.

For every sale, the applicant must make a sworn statement as to the purpose for which the liquor is to be used, and each sale must be registered.

The control of all public-service corporations was vested in a corporation commission of thre members, elected by the people for six-year terms. Commissioners are required to take an oath that they are not interested directly or indirectly in any company which may come under their supervision. All railroads, oil, pipe, car, express, telephone or telegraph lines are required to receive and transport each other's business without delay or discrimination. All railroads were declared public highways. Public service corporations and their officials were prohibited from consolidating with or owning stock in any competing corporation,

Transportation companies" were defined as including railroads, street railways, canals, steamboat lines, freight car companies or car associations, express companies and sleeping-car companies. Transportation companies' include telegraph and telephone lines, and both of these

classes were rated as common carriers.

The common law doctrine of fellow-servant was abrogated as to all railroad, street or interurban electric lines and mining companies, and recovery may be had as fully in cases where death occurs as where it does not.

Campaign contributions by corporations were forbidden and it was sought to prevent the issuance of watered stock by providing that no stock shall be issued except for money, labor done or property actually received to the amount of the par value of the stock.

ADMITTED TO THE UNION.

The President of the United States on November 16, 1907, signed the Constitution of Oklahoma and issued a proclamation announcing its admission as a State into the Union.

The Census Bureau on September 19, 1907, reported the result of a Special Census taken of the population of the new State. It showed a total population of 1,414,042, the population of the former Territory of Oklahoma being 721, 142, and of the former Indian Territory, 692, 901.

Arizona and New Mexico.

The same act which provided for the Statehood of Oklahoma, also provided that the inhabitants of the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico should, on November 6, 1906, vote on the question whether the two Territories should be united to form one State, to be known as the State of Arizona, At the same election they should vote for delegates to a Constitutional Convention, Should the vot on statehood be favorable in both Territories, and not otherwise, a convention to form a constitution for the new State should meet at Santa Fe on Thursday, December 6, 1906. The constitution so formed should be submitted to the people of the two Territories within ninety days from the adjournment of said convention. Should said constitution be ratified, the President of the United States should, within twenty days after the receipt of the certificate of the result, issue a proclamation announcing the same, and thereupon the State of Arizona should be deemed to be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the original States.

The act provided for the representation of the new State in the House of Representatives in Congress by two members, At the election of November 6, 1906, a majority of the inhabitants of New Mexico voted in favor of joint statehood and a majority of the inhabitants of Arizona voted against it. The provisions of this act, so far as they related to Arizona and New Mexico, therefore became void, and they continue as Territories.