The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-12
FLEET SHIFT UNWISE;;
PHILIPPINES USELESS.
Representatives Weeks
Maneuver viii Cos t
Heavily When Ships
Reach Pacific.
Would Have Navy Able
to Whip Germany
and Japan.

IAN unwise expense. and injudiciOW
from every standpoint" is the language
used by Representative John Wingate
Weeks. Republican. Of Massachusetts.
in an interview given out here cOncern-
ing the send Of the battleshIp feet to
the Pacific
As to the Philippines. Mr.. Weeks de-
clares he will vote for any honorable
proposition to get rid Of them Re
specting the naval policy Of the coun-
try, Mr.. Weeks says:
I am in favor Of having a navy big
enough to whip those countries which,
for commercial reasons or territorial
position. we may be compelled to fight.
If the Germans and Japanese built bat
tleships. 1 would build battleships; II
they built torpedo boats, I would build
torpedo boats"
If war comes. Mr.. Weeks holds. it w4ll
be with one Of these countries.
1t would be foolish for a person not
fully informed about the relations be-
tween Japan and the United States and
who does not have definite and up-to-
date knowledge to condemn the sending
Of the battleship fleet to the Pacific, -
said Mr.. Weeks. in discussing this ques-
ton in some detail; but. basing the
sending Of that fleet on information
which has been made public, IL seems
TO me 70 be an unwise expense. and
injudicious from every standpoint
Expense Will Commence Later.
1T will be not only an expensive ex-
pertinent. but the unusual expense will
only commence when the fleet gets to
the Pacific. for suitable facilities for
repairing a large number OF battleships
on the Pacific Coast are not controlled
by the Government, and even if we did
have sufficient means to make the re-
pairs, the cost Of doing It would be very
much in excess Of what we would pay
for the same work on the Atlantic Coast
The result OF this Will be a demand for
increased dockage and other facilities
on the Pacific, which may be necessary,
but which should come after judlcious
and careful selection Of sites rather
than as the result of this particular
movement.
I do not believe there Is the least
danger Of war between Japan and the
United States The japanese made
peace with Russia because they were
unable to finance the war any longer.
and with money conditions throughout
the world as they are It would be absO-
luLely impossible for them 10 finance a
war with anyone / have no doubt that
the japanese resent the treatment which
/ japanese subjects are receiving from the
United States and, in my Judgment
justly So But the way they will show
their resentment will not be by declar-
ing war, but by diverting trade which
heretofore has been ours, which natur-
ally belongs TO Us, 70 our commercial
rivals In other words in my opinion.
We are almost certain TO see A distinct
and immediate falling OF in our trade
with Japan.
Would Get Rid of Philippines.
Il will vote for any kind Of honorable
proposition to get rid Of the PHILIPPINES.
I do not think they are ever going to
be a source of revenue to the United
States and from a military standpoint
they are a source Of weakness. We have
done what we started OUt 10 do-have
given them an example Of what an
honest and efficient government is /
have no sympathy with additional ex-
DendituTes for that purpose. and would
let 90 at the first possible opportunity.
I but in any case. am in favor of re-
tanning a naval and coaliag station
there"
What is your idea Of the naval pro-
gram in the event Of the 5sttleshIp
I fleet staying IN the Pacidc?"
Be Ready for Germans and Japs.
7 am IN favor of having a navy big
enough to whip those countries which
Tor commercial reasons OF territorial
position we would be compelled to fight.
If were responsible for the naval
program that is exactly what I would
CO. If the Germans and Japanese built
battleships, I would build battleships;
/ if they built torpedo boats. I would
I build torpedo boats. I mention Germany
/ and japan, because we are likely 10
/ have trouble with those countries, IL
/ we have trouble at all-with Germany
/ on account Of commercial anJagonlsms,
/ for the Germans are rea ching out Just
as we are for the trade Of the world.
/ Trouble with Japan # II comes al
all, will be because Japan feels its I'M
portance and Response biIitFes as a new
world power, and will eventually re-
I sent. if able to do so financially, the
/ way we treat japanese citizens. They
/ cannot do this now, however"