The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-24
Great Britain 10 Be Formally Advised
OF Our Action on the Matter.
BEAcHs BILL FOR CONFERENCE.
Rear Admiral Cherardi'S Opin-
ion In Case of War.


Venezuela, and the subject is again one
for executive treatment, IL is believed
that Secretary Olney will formally ac-
knowledge the receipt Of Lord Salisburys
two notes, and perhaps take occasion, as
a matter OF courtesy, TO formally advise
the British government of the course
which this country intends to pursue, sup
plementing IL perhaps by request TO be
put In possession of evidence within the
control of the British foreign Office respect
ing the boundary line.
Representative Beach CO., today intro
duced the following bill, authorizing tho
President Of the United States to call an
international conference:
BE 10 enacted that the Presdent OF the
United Gates be, and he hereby Is, authorized
20 invite the governments OF tine other Amerr
can republics 90 appoint plenipotentaries
with full powers 10 meet in conference In the
city Of Washington within one year from tho
approval OF this act for the formal acceptance
and declaration Of the Monroe doctrine as
principle of international law.
Sect. 2-That any government may appoint "a
many plenipotentiaries it may elect, but in
the determination of questions before con-
ference no government shall have more than
one vote.
Sect. 8-That the president be. and he hereby
g., authorized 10 designate the secretary OF
Hthte hS tne DlenlpOtentlhft on tne parI Oh the
United States, and that the sum OF SoOOOO, o. 80
much thereof as may be necessary, Ave appro-
priated out OF any moneys in the Heasury OF
the United States not otherwise appropriated
for the payment of the expenses OF said con
ference, and the same shall be disbursed under
the direction of the president in accordance
with section 29l OF the revised statutes.
Admiral Gherardrs Opinion.
NEW YORK, dec. si.-Rear Admiral
Gherardi retired, writes from his home in
Bridgeport, Conn, 10 The Journal OF this
city the following letter:
have never from the first anticipated
serious complications OF war, although, OF
course. II is possible, for serious wars have
arisen from far less provocaton in times
past. But our civilization precludes now
any rash action. This country ought not
TO attempt TO force n war, and such u
course would bo regarded on the other side
as what they have alw ays sneeringly re-
ferred To as Yankee braggadocio
On the other hand, the Monroe doctrine
has been an integral part OF our political
system ever since IL was first formulated,
and IL must be defended at any cost. It
will never do for us to back down on that
point. The stand taken by President
Cleveland should be, and will he, adhered
10 by the American people, and. rather
than abandon that position, il would be
our duty TO fight When it comes to that.
the motto of every patriot must be, in the
language of Admiral Decatur: Il trust our
country will always be right, but right or
wrong, our country / am convinced
that the country best prepared for war Is
the best secured against IL.
The war of 1912, in my view, would
have been avoided had we been adequately
? ft.rt, ,ic1a 1,t-fNh 10 l.
ness that England counted upon. Today
England is largely in a similar position.
He strong point is her navy and the means
she possesses OF building with great dis
patch powerful battleships, and keeping
them in service. We have no such facili-
ties, for our ships are. as rule, let out TO
contract, and our navy yards are not
nearly IA well fitted with mechanical
methods rs the English yards. The Ameri-
can public are much misled as TO our naval
conditions because they do not understand
naval warfare. The actual work must be
done with battleships, and of them we
have but three. two of which are hardly fin
ished. England possesses 10 or 90, so IL
can DC seen at what disadvantage we are
placed ut the outset.
Then the torpedo service makes up the
complement, all centering on the efficiency
Of the battleship. England recognizing
the proper methods, commenced with the
ships, and today is completing the cruisers
as auxiliaries We, unfortunately, have
built the cruisers and have but three ships
for them To rally about In serious con-
fict they will be placed at great disad-
vantage. In such an event we cannot re-
cuperate, for battleships arc the work OF
long time-a year or more-and during
this interval we are at the mercy OF the
powerful battleships of the English navy.
OF course, any comparison with England
In this particular is out Of the question.
Much IL said about efficiency of our
cruisers. Many of these are fine ships,
but they can no more take the place Of the
battloship In action orin serious work
with Notifications than could the picket
line of an army that of tho regiment.
More warships Needed.
While we are deficient in this respect
~ invite constant disrespect from every
rorelgn power which considers itself
stronger in ships and material. We must
provide ourselves rs we'll as others are
provided. We need then fear no panics
such as we now are encountering, be-
cause there will be no cause for them.
Our defenses also are wholly inadequate.
Money spent In these directions Is excel
lent investment. Ii the losses in the last
few days in Wall street were 10 bo applied
TO the defense OF New York city, nothing
woald be needed there.
In the event of possible hostilities, IL is
natural TO ask how war OF this kind
would be conductedS We should remain
on the sea for long time, strictly on the
defensive. because we have nothing 10 cope
with the magnificent navy of England.
taken as whole. England has always
claimed TO be not only equal TO any single
adversary cn the sea, but no two other
nations combined equal her This has al
ways been her boast, and her practice
proves her right TO the assumption. You
have no adequate idea of the magnitude
and grandness Of the English navy, unless
you have had opportunities such as have
had TO view IL in detail.
But. In fact, rs "A nation, England Is not
I 10 fpk ek. IN.