The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-01
Need For Big Force
Confined to Far
East.
Fear That Japan May
Become InSulted Is
Entertained.

Concentration of American naval
strength in the Pacific is to be the
settled, though unanounced, policy
of the United States from this time
forward. It viii probably crystallizs
in a year in the transfer Of the pre-
ponderance Of the battIeship power
10 that ocean.
There may never be an announce
ment Of the definite adoption Of
such a policy, but unless conditions
markedly change 1t viii be put into
effect. The crisis Of Americas re-
lations with the Orient Will be
reached when the time comes TO
start the great battleship feet for
the Far East. If when that time
comes Japan purposes to oppose
such a movement, the blow may
fall suddenly and with startling
force.
Lesson Of RussO-Jap War.
TIE great naval lesson Of the Russo
japanese war was the necessity OF keep
I ing the feet together For years the
United States has been devoting ener-
gies TO assembling sixteen battIeships>
in the Atlantic. The Venezuelan troU-
bles OF 1902. commercial complications,
and conditions IN Brazil and elsewhere
IN the Americas, pointed 10 Germany
as the likely antagonist IN a foreign
war, and naval power IN the Atlantic
was the Gesideratum.
Now all is changed. The President
and the Kaiser acted together in lead
ing Up 10 the negotiations for a peace
between Russia and Japan. The note to
the powers about the preservation OF
China's integrity was sent at the
kaiser's suggestion. The new tariff
treaty settles commercial difficulties
with Germany. The war cloud in that
quarter is vanishing, and possibility OF
its reappearance IS lessened by the
whole course OF European reaIgnment,
! In which the powers are agreeing on a
policy of overshadOwing Germany and
forcing her 70 keep the peace. Germany
has troubles enough in. Europe 10 keen
her from Ieeking troubles here.
Different in the Pacific.
But in the Pacific coalitions are dir-
ANA NAA-- NAAA4A1 - q 0G44sEL SPOT MllL9
the powers assent TO the policy Of pre-
serving China they are suspected OF
small concern for that policy. The
jingoes in Japan and here alike are
making it difficult for both countries
20 maintain equilibrium. The Pacific
promises TO be the center and theater OF
| international concern for years 70 come.
and therefore naval power now in the
/ Atlantic is needed there.
Two difficulties stand IN the way OF a
bodily transfer OF the battleship strength
/ 70 the Pacific; danger OF Offending
Japan. and lack OF dock and repair
/ facilities on that ocean.
As TO the first OF these embarrass-
ments. it is pointed out that II Japan
desires TO keep the peace. she will not
! object to sending an American feet TO
the ocean in which its most exposed IN
| terests lie. II japan, on the other hand.
objects, 1t Will be proof that she is dis
posed TO war, and that war IN any event
is inevitable
Fleet Must Go Together.
Naval authorities agree that it would
| be folly to send a single squadron (eight
| battleships} alone Japan has eleven,
and IL disposed 10 make trouble. would
promptly take advantage Of the pre-
! pOnderance OF force in her favor.
| Whence it is necessary 10 send the feet
| together, II at all Whether by the Suez
or the Horn is not yet determined. il
/ is said
/ AS 10 the problem OF docks and re-
/ pair facilities. the United States has
| a dock al Bremerton and one at Mare
Island that has never yet been entered
/ by a battleship. There IS a commercial
/ dock at Frisco that could be used II
| necessary There would be need. II the
| fleet were in Pacific waters, OF another
/ dock at Frisco. one at Bremerton and
/ another, perhaps. at Manila, or else
/ where in the archipelago. To secure
/ money from Congress and build these
would take too much time. The alter
native is TO get the battleship fleet into
! hrst-cIass condition OF repair and send Il
| as soon as possible.
Prepare for Movement
The energies OF the naval authorities,
/ il is stated on the most excellent au-
/ thority, are being directed now to get
ting the fleet into shape for this i'm
( mense movement, and to provision for
maintaining it in good repair and ser
: viceability after il gets into the Pacific
waters. Honolulu viii be made the
naval base. the fleet oscfllating more or
less between there and the Eastern Pa
eihes The problems Of dockaga -naEak