The Washington herald., 1908-04-15


had been read In the
House, and referred
TO the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Representative Tawney, chairman of
the Appropriations Committee, intro
dueed a number of petitions from IN
huental citizens protesting against the
proposed increase in the navy.
The message in full follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tiYes:
Let me again urge upon the Congress
the need of providing for four battle
ships Of the best and most advanced
type at this session. Prior 20 the recent
Hague Conference it had been my hope
that an agreement could be reached
between the different nations to limit
the increase of naval ornaments, and
especially 10 limit the size of war ships
Under these circumstances I felt that
the construction Of one battle ship
year would keep cur navy up TO rs
then positive and relative strength.
But actual experience showed not mere
~ that 1t was impossible to obtain
such an agreement for the limitation of
armaments among the various leading
powers. but that there was no likeli-
hood whatever of obtaining ii in the
future within any reasonable time.
Colncidentally with this discovery
occurred a radical change in the build
ing of battle ships among the great
military naJions-a change in accord
ance with which the most modern bat
tie ships have been or are being con-
structed. 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 bat two. and therefore the balance
OF power IS now inclining against Us.
Under these conditions, to provide for
but one or two battle ships year is
to provide that this nation, instead OF
advancing, shall go backward in naval
rank and relative power among the
great nations. Such a course would be
unwise for us If we frOnted merely on
one ocean, and it is doubly unwise when
We front on two oceans
Message Dictated by Duty.
As Chief Executive Of the nation, and
as Commander in Chief of the navy.
there is imposed upon me the solemn re-
sponsibIity OF advising Congress Of the
measures vitality necessary to secure the
peace and welfare of the republic in
the event Of international complications
which are even remotely possible. Hav-
ing in view this solemn responsibility,
l earnestly advise that the Congress now
provjde four battle ships Of the most
advanced type. I can not too emphat-
icaliv say that this is a measure Of
peace and not Of war.
can conceive of no circumstances
under which this Republic would enter
into an aggressive War; most certainly,
under no circumstances would it enter
into an aggressive war 10 extend It's
territory or in any other manner seek
material aggrandizement l. advocate
that the United States build a navy
commensurate with its powers and its
needs. because I feel that such a navy
will be the surest guaranty and safe
guard of peace.
Army ASsuredIy Small.
We are not a military nation. Our
army is so small as to present an al
most absurd contrast 10 our size and
is properly treated as little more than a
nucleus for organization in case of
serious war. Yet we are a rich nation.
and undefended wealth invites aggres-
sion. The very liberty 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 suddenly develop
At this moment we are negotiating
arbitration treaties with all the other
great powers that are willing to enter
into them. These arbitration treaties
have a special usefulness because in the
event OF some sudden disagreement they
render It morally incumbent upon both
nations TO seek first to reach an agree
ment through arbitration. and at least
secure breathing space during which
the cool judgment Of the two nations
involved may get the upper hand over
any momentary burst of anger. These
arbitration treaties are entered into not
only with the hope of preventing
wrongdoing by others against US, but
also as a proof that we have no in
tentIon Of doing wrong ourselves.
Yet 1t is idle to assume, and from the
standpoint Of national interest and
honor it is mischievous folly for any
statesman 10 assume that this world
has yet reached the stage, or has come
within measurable distance of the
stage, when a proud nation jealous of
its honor and conscious of its great
mission in the world, can be content TO
rely for peace upon the forbearance of
other powers. It would be equally fool
ish TO rely upon each Of them possess
inc At all times and under AL circuun-
stances and pTovocations an altruistic
regard for the rights of others.
Fears Fate of China.
Those who hold this view are blind
indeed, 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 pos
sessions. IN Central and South Africa.
during the last dozen years. For CEN