New-York tribune., 1908-07-23
PRESIDENT PLEADS
FOR FIGHTING NAVY
OPENS NEWPORT CONFER
ENCE OF N4V4L OFFICERS.
Peace and Prosperity of Country
Depend on Hard Hitting Var
Vessels, He Says.

Sesrport. r l. July 22-Pleading for popular
support for first class fighting navy, navy
capable Of seeking out the enemy and ham
,nering him until he quits" President Roosevelt
was the central figure here to-day in the most
notable conference of American naval officers
ever called together TO consult and discuss. in
q broad general way, the features Of future
United States battleships- The President spoke
publicly for more than half hour, and then
the conference went into executive session for
one hour
During this session the President took a lead
ing part in the discussion. He argued as lay
man. he explained and did not attempt TO give
advice 10 professional men, He impressed on
the officers however. that il was given TO them
10 keep the American navy abreast of the times
and TO make it the hard hitting, efficient fight
ing force which he believes 10 be a guarantee
against the possibility of war. Mr. Roosevelt
Characterized the navy as ;he. cheapest form of
Safety insurance policy the nation gould secure
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
The Presidents public address follows:
Admiral, Mr. Secretary Gentlemen:
There are only few things that I desire 10
ray to-day 10 the conference. and what | have
70 say really is said less TO the officers present
tAah 70 The great bulk Of my fellow counfrynen
Setsloe. could not speak TO you technically.
can speak OF my fellow countrymen who are
49,! interested in the American navy but who
soh-liheS tend 10 be misled TO the kind OF
navy We should have and as 10 what the navy
can and ought to do
For instance. there are always certain num-
oe1e OF vel meaning, amiable individuals,
coupled with others not quite so well meaning
sho advocate merely a coast defence navy
such advocacy illustrates a ha bit Of mind as old
a. human nature iIseif-the desire at the same
uine TO do something. and not TO do it.
40 nght was ever won except by hitting. and
t me one unforgivabe offence in any man is to
e49hies 10 the nation. and those who adVo-
'Nal+ coast defence navy are advocating that
w ~ snail aGopt as national principle the princi-
g VI hlOLDg soft nope with all my heart
ehat never VIII this nation of ours hit unless it
csfnot possibly he helped.
believe that the nation should scrupulously
.e1fdlh from WrOnging or insulting another
I'm .oh mat il should put up with a good deal in
she way OF misconduct On the part Of others be-
t iOIe gong 10 war But when this nation does
M -a1e 70 90 10 war such war VIII only be eX-
fsusabie If the nation intends to hammer its op
p,sent until that opponent quits fighting.
or The protection OF our coast need fOrti-
ncatons not merely to protect the salient points
ol our possessions but so that the navy be
-oVl-looSe. 4 year ago, at the time IL
nVunced that the fleet was to go abroad, there
a, n@s certain number Of newspapers. especially
" my city Of New York that raised a
clanorous protest against it. II took at one time
s,e INrin OF mistaken prophecy to the effect
uat The fleet would not he allowsd TO go around
me ~ world. and one OF the reasons alleged was
Uat : let IL 90 around the world would leave
Neory evidently was that the feet a portion
~ - u, would be used especially to protect New
1ork an0 other cities in the event of If
war comes al any time in the future. that ad-
lnlnisfration under which il comes wiz indeed he
gulity ri folly if they the feet 20 protect
any port Let the port he protected by the for
Nleati@7S; the feet must he fo0tlo' Sc TO search
''t ard destroy the enemv'S fleet That is the
VhiV function that can Justify the fleets exist
fnee. and that function cannot exist IN the case
~ ~ such ridiculous feet the feet would be
Il were orlv possible t. usc II for coast de-
'eroe purposes
SHOULD MAKE PCLICY EFFECTIVE.
In anw question 81 national policy when
s'at-sinen. WHEN the people behind the political
.eede:s. embark given policy they build
~ ior themselves a time Of humiliation and
slsasfer IA the future if they 50 not prepare
% maze i1at policy effective There IS some
ttliAg 10 be said ftrcm nay standpoint not muci,
ult s1h soEeihingl for the theory that this
al"n si.al' ne,r- haTe any interests outside its
Nh Borders and shall asSuaIe toward Other
.dlioLs IN attitude ~ such mcetness that 10
N,ilpie can ever :isssibly core.
II Is 4 oefenSible pOiicT- But n wholly inGe-
.4slf,e policy would be consistently 10 work for
s-lt assumption Of responsibilities without max
.i.s any provision for nleeti-g the demands
,recessa1sly ~ entailed o. tLosc responsibilities
- bs rich, eggTessi.e. and uuG9Elsd Is 10 invite
N',.aih disaster ara humiliation
We nave taken the Plipfi..es. Dgt Il NC had