The Washington herald., 1908-04-29
Where Does Real yietora Lie2


The Presidents defeat in the battle
ship controversy is regarded at the White
House, and not without some reason, as
q substantial victory for a policy OF rapid
and progressive expansion of American
sea power. A careful reading OF the
Senate debate Of Monday shows that
the chairman Of the Appropriations Com
mittee, Mr. Allison; the chairman OF the
Naval Affairs Committee. Mr. Hale, and
Senator Aldrich are in substantial agree
ment upon the proposal that the United
States embark upon a continuous and
fixed programme OF naval construction.
to include the addition of two battle
ships a year to the fleet. The veteran
Senator from Iowa, after expressing his
satisfaction with the appropriation OF
S7.000,000 to begin immediate construction
OF the two ships authorized in the pend
ing bill said that he believed we ought
under our present situation and the cir
cumstanSes that surround us, TO make
provision for two battle ships each year
for at least some years 10 come" He
went on TO remark:
I would be willing as think most OF the Senate
woud, and I think there would be TO serious Oh
lection TO it, to provide at the next session Of Con
esa for two additional battle ships and 10 do that
year b. year until our modern navy is sufficient fol
the needs Of cur country and efficient in al its
provisions.
so, 8lr President. if am p1t to the tes, Of
voting fer two OF four ships at this time. with ms
understanding Of the situation. I shall be compelled
-, 7
pCoriding for four shiIs, l believe that if the
provisions tha: sre nov before us are aeceded 70
by the tvo Houses and receive the approval Of the
President under the plan Of two battle ships TeI
annum, il arpears we viii make rapid and
regular progress in baiiding up our navy"
Senator Hale asserting TO Mr. Al
lison's views, observed that the building
of two bate ships a year would con-
stitute ''muderate programme" which
the Naval affairs Committee expected TO
carry out, and which would give the
United States not a moderate navy, but
very great navy. and keep US in the
second place in the world" Senator
Aldrich, referring to Mr.. AlIison's speech.
promised that he would next year vote
for two more battle ships. OF more. if
necessary. his only qualification being
that he raight vote for different type
from that authorized this year Now.
according 10 the New York Herald. a
journal always well informed on naval
matters, the Allison programme is pre-
cisely what the President wants and Mr
Allison's speech, which found such favor
among the older and more influential
members Of the Senate. was made after
a conference with Mr.. Roosevelt. in
which he told the Iowa Senator, in sub
stance, that
What I want is two battle ships every year
When the agreement was made for one shin veal
the Naval Committee did not play fair. but marip-i
lated the matter 50 that We would have had b1r
One ship every year. II The committee win agre,
10 authorize four ships now and only pay for two
leaving the ether two for next year. that vin suit
ne II it viii promise 10 giye us two ships ,
year, that viii also suit; but We need definite DO
sTamme Of increase Of az least tEo large battl,
ships each session Of Congress"
But. Of course. the President would
have preferred four battle ships. because
as the New York Herald tells us. il had
been his hope that if four battle ships
were authorized by Congress he could "a
10 the nations Of the earth and suggest
a limitation TO ornaments This was q
part Of his great scheme OF peacemaker. '
As the naval programme now stands, the
peaeemaKiug viii have to wait for few
years Meantime twenty battle ships in
ten years which is the newest nava
slogan, is a pretty swift pace for a peace
loving republic. with no serious griev.
ance in any quarter Of the globe. Il
ought to satisfy the most ardent of big
navy advocates.