The Washington times., 1902-10-26
PRESIDENT CONFERS
WITH NAVAL OFFICERS
Hears Views on Armament
and Speed.
NEED OF A GREATER NAVY
Chief Executive Gathers Data for His
Annual Message to
Congress.


make strong recommendation to Con-
gress or the needs of the United States
Navy, and the determination arrived al
this winter is likely to have an impor-
taut bearing on the future naval policy
of the United States.
The President yesterday summoned to
the temporary White House Admira!s
Taylor and Bowles, to secure from them
concise information regarding the differ
ent types of battleships for use in con-
nection with his remarks on this subject
in his annual message. The admirals
were at the White House for nearly an
hour, and explained fully all points
bearing upon the recent controversy in
regard to types of fighting ships and their
respective displacement.
Upon their departure Secretary Moody
came in and took luncheon with the
President. 1t was but coincidence.
however, that the head of the department
should follow directly in the wake of the
two admirals When asked whether he
would take any action on the battleship
question before going away the Secre-
tary said that he would not
Opinion Is Divided.
There is serious difference of opinion
among many naval officers of high stand
ing and long service as to what type of
vessel offers the greatest advantages
under the present conditions of naval
warfare. Some advocate the heaviest
built and heaviest armored battleships,
in which speed is absolutely subordinated
to defensive strength-a type of vessel
which may properly be regarded as
floating Gibraltar, and which can be ex-
pected TO stand the fire of any opponent
while itself sending forth fire OF the
heaviest known projectiles
Other naval officers of experience de-
clare the tendency of the age is and nat
urally must be toward mobility and pre-
paredness for sharp movements, giving
the commanders an opportunity for dis
playing naval strategy in quick changes
of base, rather than running the risk of
getting into tight place and becoming
a target for more mobile enemy OFF,
GERS holding this view of the case lay
stress on the evolution of the torpedo
and submarine boat idea as more than
counterbalancing the arguments for
hesVy armament as the prime necessity.
President Not Committed.
President Roosevelt is not committed
to one style or the other. The heavy
type OF battleship prepared for a bull
dog sort of fight, right through to a
finish, appeals to him strongly He
does not look upon the swift cruiser
type as SO typical OF nations strength
He is not prejudiced, however. by the
mere fact that such vessels can run
away from an enemy at any time, as
huge battleships cannot, but thinks
there is much in the other argument
that they can also run up in hurry to
get into an engagement. The Presi-
dent has perfect confidence regarding
the direction in which American naval
officers go when the chance of battle
comes.
In their interview Admirals Bowles
and Taylor illustrated the idea of dis
placement in fighting ships by means
of various drawings and figures. The
IDEAL vessel, of course. would be heav- |
lily armored one capable of great speed. |
But such a warship. if not an actual
mpossibility, IL at least not present |
reality.
More Vessels Needed.
l. was on this point that the Presi- |
ient wished to be informed very par
ticularly by technical experts. With the |
knowledge which Admirals Bowles and |
Taylor gave him, and such additional in |
formation as he may secure from other |
officers whom he is likely to summon in
The near future, ii is predicted that a |
strong recommendation will be made to
Congress regarding the need OF the
greater navy.