Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-22
SENATOR SAYS THE FLEET Is
NEEDED HERE
ARMADA NECESSARY If sUPREM-
AcY is TO BE MAINTAINED
Strong Plea Against Round-the-Worid
Cruise and Argument for Leaving
Vessels In These Waters
Made by SoIons
Special to The Herald.

that it is necessary, If American su-
premacy Is to be maintained, that the
battleship fleet be kept in the Pacifc'
Senator Money today discussed the
probabilities of war, stating that since
the fleet has been in Pacific waters
war talk has almost vanished.
If the Philippines are to be held, he
asserted, the ships must stay on the
Pacific coast.
The reported purpose of the president
to send the fleet of battleships around
the world was the basis of the discus
sion in the senate today when the
naval appropriation bill was taken up
for consideration.
Mr. Bacon of Georgia asked whai
would be the cost Of this cruise around
the world.
Mr.. Hale, chairman of the committee
on naval affairs replied that 1t would
be difficult to state the cost, but ne
was satisfied that the wear and tear
on the fleet would be very great. Inc
cost, he said, would not be known for
a year. He referred to the cruise as
spectacular performance"
Mr.. Bacon said he agreed that II was
n spectacular performance, but, ne
said, at may be very dangerous per-
formance."
Mr.. Hale disclaimed any purpose to
charge that no good would come or the
trip around the world. He referred 10
IL as spectacular in the sense tnat III
was most remarkable and wonder
full"
Opposes Long Cruise
Mr.. Bacon said he hoped the report
that the fleet is to go around the world
would prove incorrect. He not only
looked upon 1t as dangerous, Dut also
as expensive, saying 1t would cost al
most million dollars to take the meet
through the Suez canal alone.
Mr.. Beveridge inquired whether there
are facilities in the Pacific "for making
necessary repairs to the fleet" and Mr..
Hale replied that was one of the ques-
fions that would have to be taken up.
IT would. he said, cost tens and tens OF
millions to supply those facilities.
Mr. Money made an EXTENDED speecll
on the danger OF war II the Fnlll lppi.iee
are held by this country, saying tnal
all nations that have had dependencies
have been obliged TO maintain grea.
navies, The 100000 people OF the
philippines. he said, had cost this couh-
try several hundred millions aiready,
and that money would produce no
material result of advantake to this
countrv hut should be charged up to
"the mere pleasure or rullhg Quiet
M Money instanced the San Fran
cisco school troubles as an example 1or
the rapidity which the war CLOUDS
might overshadow the country. =,
IF we drop the Philippines, ne salu,
I'VE drop the chance of war IN tnat
ocean" ..oo+v
He was sure there was no treaty
rieht on the part of Japan that would
Justify the attitude of that natioii Oh
fba San francisco school question, but
Ianan was ready to provoke a quar-
rel.'' 49,. ,aors
Mr.. Money predicted that in ten years
tho limited States would have to nght
sn,,,ebodv" and he paid compliment
~ Iananese valor and physical endur-
ance. 49,. ,,t+,o ns
tion :" he declared, 1--WE will have all we
can ~ Keep Fleet Here
1--WE have got to keep that heet
there, he declared, 'if you are to hoio
the Philippines" A. -
Defending the policy of sending the
fleet of battleships to the Pacinc oceah'
Senator Lodge said great good Is al
ready resulting from the long. cruise,
and II is teaching the fleet how 10
maintain itself away from ship yards
hv making repairs by it's own mechan-
1rt 10 not enough" he said. "in navy
tn have the units the best in the worio'
ii is necessary TO nave all Si~iiois ~ -,
and we have never until this year pro
duced an efficient fleet. l thlnk TINS
yovape has done more for the navy
than anything that has been uiuei-
taken.' l,o,,,a +be
He declared that even shouid the
Philippines be abandoned, that actioii
would not make any difference III 'he
need of a fleet. roo+-
Senator Beveridge advocated great
er fleet than the United States now mas.
THE administration favors keeping tne
Philippines until the people tnere aIe ,e
fit for self government; in any event !.
would be necessary to keep the ISLANDS
for many years. Before the feet start :
ed. he said, there had been talk OF war,
hut after it reached the Pacific waters
such talk decreased and has now almost
vanished, -.
Upon Mr.. Beveridge concluding his
remarks there was an outburst or ap-
plause in the galleries, and Mr. Haze
arose. 49, 40
"Now." said Mr.. Hale, 'let us see II
we can make some progress with the
BILL"
The senate spent almost two hours
reading the bill and discussing its pro-
visiens' The only amendment of i'm
nortsnce agreed upon was one includ-
mo retired officers of the navy In the
benefits of the 20 per cent salary IN
crease provided for officers on the act
i've list.