The Washington herald., 1907-07-13
senator Hale on the Naval Revolution.

Senator Hale on the Naval Revolution.
In the widespread newspaper discussion
Of the proposed naval demonstration in
the Pacific. expressions Of opinion by
American statesmen of weight and sub
stance have been noticeably lacking.
Scarcely a member Of either House Of
Congress has arisen to commend or con-
denim. and the silence of leaders of public
opinion outside Of that body has been no
less conspicuous. Particular Importance,
therefore. attaches 10 the views OF Sena-
tor Hale. of Maine, whose position as
chairman Of the Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs qualities him TO pass judg-
meat on any development Of our naval
policy. and whose sound common sense
and mental poise eatitle him 10 the hear
Ing Of the thoughtful
Senator Hale does not hesitate 10 ex-
press a hope that the feet will not be
ordered 10 the Pacific. as recommended
by the general board of the navy He at
tributes the project 10 that board the
members Of which are anxious 10 mag
Nifty the navy. It is not safe. in the SEN
ator's mind. TO leave 10 the military
branches Of the government the policies
that make for peace or war. and he looks
10 President Roosevelt to take a broader
and wiser view. He does not believe that
Japan in any way threatens US or our pos
sessions, and asks whether anybody be-
lieves that the dispatch of a great feet
to Asiatic waters would aid ia the preser-
walton of peace.
Congress- says Senator Hale. has
been generous in It's appropriations, and
under them we have built what is to-day.
with the ships now building. probably tho
second naval force in the world. Senators
and members would have looked twice be-
fore voting these appropriations had they
supposed that when a great force of war
ships should be assembled the first enter
prise would be an expedition into Asiatic
waters upon the other side of the globe.
carrying with It the imminent danger OF
arousing the resentment OF a great people
with whom we are at peace and with
whom a war would be a wickedness
almost past human conception"
We have but TO contrast these views with
{ LiUet HlAl lDuAfA 10 AfdtllttfAA A't ttieill
man Of the general board, TO see the ex-
tent Of the revolution in our naval policy
involved in the dispatch Of a powerful
fleet 20 the Pacific and its maintenance
there. 1T is necessary for us 10 hold the
balance of sea power on the Pacific" the
admiral tells us; that is, our naval force
on that ocean should be superior 70 that
of Japan or any other nation. In order 70
attain this end, however, it viii be neces-
sary 10 construct an Atlantic fleet to re-
place that about TO be transferred 10 the
Pacific. I'VE need two large fleets" IS
the way Admiral Dewey puts it; and he
/ assures us that at win not take long 70
build up an Atlantic fleet if We expand
our building programme according to the
needs Of the country" But to such an
ambitious programme Of naval expansion
Senator Hale is opposed; and if we may
take the language OF the President al its
/ obvious meaning, Mr.. Roosevelt had not
heard of it when he wrote his annual
message Of last December. for therein he
expressly dlsclaimed any intention to ask
! for an increase Of the navy.
It is difficult 10 believe, as Senator Hale
remarks, that the President has commit
| ted the administration 10 a course
amounting to a revolution in our naval
/ policy. as well as tending 10 aggravate
latent feelings Of animosity in both the
United States and Japan. Senator Hale
/ has done an invaluable public service by
I lifting up his voice in depreciation of the
recommendation of the general board a:
to the disposition of the feet We joir
with him in the hope that the President
/ has not swallowed these recommendation
whole, and that better counsels will gov.
/ ern his final orders to Rear Admiral
/ Evans command.