Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-14

Compressed into what would be not
more than a ten minute speech on the
! floor of Congress- President Roosevelt to-
day urged that body in a special message
to provide for the construction of four
battleships OF the largest and most ap-
proved type at once.
The arguments of the President to i'm
press his insistence on this naval program
were few, but calculated to be effective
China was held up as an example of the
peace at any price" doctrine. and Great
| Britain a having the naval policy to be
emulated.
The result of the last Hague conference
made 1t plain that the nations would not
for some time. If ever. agree on plan of
| limitation of naval armament. Arbitra-
ton. the President holds, cannot be relied
upon as an effective remedy, though it
should be utilized to its fullest extent
Disclaiming any intention on the part OF
| the United States ever to engage in a war
Of conquest, the President made it plain
that this country could Ill afford to relax
into a place where insult would have to
be borne in silence.
The text of the MESA &c follows:
| To the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives
| Let me again urge upon the Congress
the need of providing for four battfeships
| OF the best and most advanced type at this
| session. Prior to the recent hague con-
| ference it had been my hope that an agree
menr could be reached between the differ
ent nations 10 limit the increase OF naval
ornaments. and especially to limit the size
| of warships. Under these circumstances.
| felt that the construction Of one battle
| ship year would keep our navy up to
| its then positive and relative strength.
But actual experience showed not merely
that it was impossible to obtain such an
agreement for the limitat on of ornaments
among the various leading powers. but
| that there was no likelihood whatever of
| obi aiming il in the future within any rea-
| sOnable time. COincidentally with tins d s.
| cOvery occurred a radical change in the
| building of battleships anon gthe great
| military nattons-a change in accordance
| with which the most modern battleships
| have been or are being constructed. of a
! size and armament which doubles or
| more probably trebles, their effectiveness.
| Every other great naval nation has or is
| building number of ships of this kind
we have provided for but two, and there
| .Ore the balance of power is now inclining
against us.
Under these conditions, to provide for
but one or two battleShilS year is to
provide that this nation, instead of ad-
vancing, shall go backward in naval rank
and relative power among the great ma
| lions. Such course would be unwise
! for us If we fronted merely on one ocean,
| and it is doubly unwise when We front
| on two oceans. AS chief executive of the
nation and as commander in chief of the
| navy there Is imposed upon me the SOL
emn responsibility of advising the Con-
! gress of the measures vitality necessary
| 10 secure the peace and welfare of the
| republic in the event of international
| complications which are even remotely
| possible. Having In view this solemn re-
| sponsibility. / earnestly advise that the
Congress now provide four battIeships of
| lhe most advanced type | cannot too
| emphatically say that this is a measure
! of peace and not of war | can conceive
| of no circumstances under which this re-
| public would enter into an aggressive
| war; most certainly. under no circum-
| stances would it enter into an AGGRESSIVE
| war to extend it's territory or in any other
manner seek material ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
surest Guaranty of Peace.
l advocate that the United States build
navy commensurate with its powers and
its needs because feel that such a navy
| will be the surest guaranty and safe
| guard of peace. -
! we are not a military nation Our army
| IL SO small as to present an almost alb
suru contrast to our size. 1t is properly
| treated as little more than a nucleus for
| organization in case of serious war Yet
We are rich nation, and undefended
wealth Invites aggressiOns. The very lib
efty OF individual speech and action
which We so prize and guard renders IT
possible that at times unexpected causes
OF friction with foreign powers may sud
denly develop. At this moment we are
negotiating arb, tration treaties with all
the other great powers that are willing to
enter into them. These arbitration treat
les have special usefulness because I'm
| the event of some sudden disagreement
| they render II morally incumbent upon
Doth nations to seek first To reach IN
agreement through arbitration. and at
| least secure Il breathing SPACE during
which the cool judgment Of the two ma
| Ions involved may get th.. upper hand
over any momentary burst of anger
These arbitration treaties are entered into
not only with the hope of preventing
| wrongd0ing by others against us bit
also as q proof that we have no Intention
| of doing wrong ourselves
| Yet 1t Is idle to assume and from the
standpoint of national interest and honor
IL Is mischievous folly for any statesman
to assume that this world has yet reached
the stage. or has come within measure BILE
| distance of the stage, when a proud ma
ton. jealous of its honor and conscious
of its great mission in the world. can be
content to rely for peace upon the for
bearance of other powers. 1t would be
equally foolish to rely upon each of them
possessing at alp times and under all cir
cumstances and provoca tons an altruistic
regard for the rights of others
Teachings Of History.
| Those who hold this view are blind in
deed to all that has gone on before their
eyes In the world at large. They are
| blind to what has happened in China, in
Turkey. in the Spanish possessions, i'm
Central and South Africa. during the last
| dozen years. For centuries China has cul.s
x