The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-24
Roosevelt Will Urge Con
greSS TO Build Four Battle
ships Every Year.
WANTS TWO FLEETS
OF II SHIPS EACH
Critics Convert President, Who
Will Try to Get Program
Through by March 4.
By J. c. WELLIVER.

next session Of Congress.
The people who last winter made the
great fight for tour battieships and
finally as compromise received the
assurance Of two each year hereafter.
are expected, Ia view Of expressions
which some Of them have INDUCED, and
of shiftings in international naval rela-
tons ana programs. 10 be dissatisfied
with that arrangement, and To insist
on three or four new hgEting monsters
al the next session
There are several reasons why the
fight is going 10 be pushed with great
vigOr this time. one Of the most inn
portant, though the greater navy ad-
vocates mention it only in undertones,
IS that the coming session viii be the
last of Theodore Roosevelts vigorous
handling of the big stick
The President favoTs a powerful navy.
When he was Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy. he got the forty-eight-ba
tleship, twO-heet idea in his head. and
set at work TO realize that ideal. He
really started at that time the pro-
gram which has brought realization in
sight.
Comes now Admiral Evans and de-
clares that our ships are good enough.
only there should be forty-eight OF
them; a feet OF sixteen in commission
on each ocean at al, times, with eight
IN reserve on each ocean
For Two-Ocean Navy.
The two-ocean standard has had a
strong Endorsement from the country
Nothing. indeed. has gone so far toward
assuring that the future attitude OF
Congress toward naval expansion viii
be increasingly liberal as the adoption
OF a strong naval program declaration
by the Democrats al Denver. It can
be said, moreover, that that plank went
into the platform because Mr.. Bryan.
by telephone from Lincoln, told his con-
ldentIal friends that they might have
all the fun they wanted with Hobson,
but 10 be sure to adopt what he want
ed i'm the platform"
They did, 100. The convention Missed
his speech but the resolutions COM
mJtee took his plank and the conven-
tiOu adopted II with cheers There were
few expressions in the platform which.
pIause than this That HObsOn might
easily be- Secretary CT the Navy in a
Bryan cabinet is tho guess which has
been widely accepted since the Denver
Performance by persons who know
how close he has stood TO Bryan, and
also TO Roosevelt on this question OF
naval expansion
Democrats Long Opposed.
The Democrats have for many years
tended tC oppose big naval programs,
as the Republicans have tended TO
favor them. Exceptions on both Sides
have not made the rule loss obvious
The Democrats are now pledged TO ex-
pansion, while the Republican leaders
have pledged themselves TO the program
OF ordering two new first class battle
ships each session.
But President Roosevelt has no more
ardent ambition than TO leave the White
House with a greater navy program
firmly established. To this end, he is
expected 10 Join those who want TO get
more than two battleships the coming
session.
Arguments will be presented in favor
of this policy, which have been brought
10 light in the brief period since the
memorable four-battleship fight was
made last winter. Diplomatic and naval
developments in other parts OF the
world have been startling In their eff
feet on the American naval situation.
Thus the British governments serious
consideration of a 500 000. 900 loan TO in
crease the navy, IS simply defiance to
tinue ambitious for any naval rank
worth while
Aimed Primarily At Germany.
Aimed primarily at Germany. Of
course. it none the less affects other
naval powers. The United States is one
country able TO call even so stupendOus
q blur as that. If it be necessary. It
would really be called by adopting the
foUr-battleship program, with the dis
tinct understanding that this was TO be
the rule hereafter so long as other pow
ers were so enthusiastically devoting
themselves TO naval grandizement.
For America calmly to take Up the
four-battleships-a-y rule. and to pay
for them out of current revenues with
out any perspiration, would be as strik-
ing a demonstration of financial SUI
periority 10 Britain as Britain's $780,
eco 600 lump investment in navy would
be proof of British premiership as
against Germany, This view is being
strongly urged by those who feel that
a financial showing at this juncture
would very likely save the necessity OF
actually spending the money; just as
the British government is suspected OF
blufing Germany by showing the
British pile" I'm the hope that Ger
many VIII give up the competition and
admit that she can't stay in so fast a
game. It is the understanding here that
Germany viii do just this.
Other Reasons Advanced.
But there are stiI more reasons why
the big navy advocates consider that
The iron is hot for them right now.
They look TO the far East. to the grow
ing tensity Of conditions. to the menace
of japanese aggression IN China. to the
growing disposition Of China to lean on
Americas arm OF might as her one
1rusty defender against European parti-
ton OF japanese aggression.
The possibility OF a treaty Of defense
and Offense between this country and
China. fOreshadowed most clearly by
the Shanghai speech Of Secretary Taft
when he was in the East an his last
trip, has been influential. II Mr. Taft is
elected President, there can be nc
doubt. in view OF his expressions in that
speech. of his attitude toward the East
II win be one of vigorous defense Of
Chinese autonomy. and American COM
Tnercial rights in China. even TO the ex-
ten Of fighting II need be.
Good Chance For Reform.
With these aspects, the prospect for a
considerable measure OF naval reform Is
regarded as excellent. The President
has not been satisfied with the present
bureau organization for a long time. but
has not been finally convinced that
radical reform was needed. Reports