The Washington herald., 1908-01-15
AT THE HOTELS.

This talk Of spending a few hundred
million dollars on a bigger navy is the
kind OF talk the Pacific Coast wants to
hear" said r. T. Walker, of Los Angeles,
at the New Willard last night. "Ths
Coast feels II has q right to the protec-
ton of a full feet OF American battle
ships just as much as tho Atlantic Coast.
what have the legislators ever done
to protect the few millions Of people and
the few big cities OF the Coast against
any one who wanted to take them?
There are fortihcations. it is true. on all
the harbors Of the Coast, but it IS a
question whether they are impregnable or
not TO a truly great foe.
"Then, in addition, there are not half
enough troops in most Of the Coast for
ti6cations. The recent call Of the Sec
retary Of War TO the commanders Of the
State militia Of the various Coast States
is in Itself a sufficient indication that
there is not an adequate force in the
forts Of the Coast
Another thing which must be Temem-
bered is. that while the harbors on the
Western side OF this continent are among
the best-probably the best on this hemi-
sphere-there are poor facilities for dock
Ing and repairing big battle ships. II the
bigger navy is to come, the better ia
cnities must come, too.
THE people of the Coast think Il was
right move when the feet Of Admiral
Evans was sent around the Horn. and
most OF them hope and believe il will
stay there, when once It gets in the
waters Of the Pacific. The argument that
the Pacific Coast is not Of such great irn-
portance is OF little weight, I think.
What American cares whether an
enemy attacks Los Angeles or New York,
so he attacks an American city2 Tho
country should be prepared TO defend the
smallest or rlost insignificant city. as
well as the most important NO doubt
there should be degrees Of defense, but
the principle remains true.
II would ike TO sec the United States
possess at least two big fleets. able 20
cope with the fleets Of any nation on the
earth. When the Panama Canal Is in
/ ished. the commerce that America must
strive for will be the commerce Of the
great Pacific. and she mu3t be prepared
TO back up her struggle with men and
ships"
Winston Churchill. Of New Hampshire.
/ writer of good books and author OF a
few interesting political inuigues which
haven't been unraveled entirely. was at
the New Willard last night
Mr. Churchill, VINO has reached al
most as high d place in the politics Of
/ New Hampshire and New England as
he some time since reached IN the liter
airy history OF the country, is a friend
| Of the administration, and Of Secretary
Taft In particular. Speaking Of the work
now being done in behalf Of the War
! Secretary in New Hampshire. Mr.
/ Churchill said:
There VIII be no further attempt q
secure delegates TO the national cOnyen-
ton from New Hampshire who VIII be
pledged to Secretary Taft. II is not the
custom of the State TO send pledged dele
cations to the national conventions. This
is not 20 be taken. however. as meaning
that the fight iH Dir. Taft's interest II
that State has ceased"
Speaking of the reported ambitions o.
National Committeeman Frank 5. Street
er 10 succeed Senator Gallinger, Mr.
Churchill said that Mr.. Streeter viii no
contest for Senator GallingeT's place a
the next election OF a Senator.
When asked if ne has found pOlitic
more interesting than literature AIT
Churchill smiled. and said that he be
Heves the two seemingly widely differen
pursuits are rather close together
2. J. Schilling, OF London. who is on his
way to Mexico City on business, the na
ture Of which he did not volunteer [,
discuss. is at the New Willard.
In England President Roosevelt &
looked upon as a great President, an,
one whom it will be difficult 10 replace
You may be able 20 get a good man q
take his place but you will never be abl
10 obtain one just as good as he is
When in New York / attended q numbe
of dinners and was a guest at some o
the clubs. I regret exceedingly that Pres
ident Roosevelt does not seem 70 be 81
popular In these circles
New York is a marvellous city. II
skyscrapeTs are enormous New Y0Tl
women? ! never saw as many smart
dressed women as I saw on Fifth avenue
in New York. not even IN the Rue de j