The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-03-24
DEWEY WANTS
TWO FLEETS
DECLARES THAT THE UNITED
STATES OUGHT TO GREATLY
INCREASE HER FORCE.

WASHINGTON, March 14.-Armed'I
with President Roosevelts written au-
thorization, w. S. Merriweather inter-
viewed Admiral Dewey today regard
ing needs Of the navy. In his letter,
President Roosevelt paid his respects
to various bodies of citizens who have
been prompting congress against fur
Their increases in the navy.
Admiral Dewey was outspoken in his
approval of the Presidents utterances
on the fleet question. He said two
cts, not two half fleets, are abso-
lutely necessary to preserve the United
States from possibility of attack on
either coast.
81 am thoroughly convinced" said
Admiral Dewey that persons petit
tioning congress are misled as to the
efficiency Of the measures they advo-
cate to promote peace. To stop build
ing the navy at present would be far
more likely to bring on war, with it's
awful horrors, than extension of a fleet
to twice it's present size.
NO TEMPTATION FOR WAR.
1T is, in my opinion, mistake to
assume that possession of powerful
military force, either afoat or ashore
would tempt the United States to en-
ter upon a policy of aggression which
would lead to war. l believe that our
! government, as constituted today and
will continue to be constituted for an
| indefinite time, can be trusted to make
proper use of any fighting force it may
! possess.
81 believe, moreover, that if we
should become involved in difficulties
with another nation, the United States
would not resort to the measure of
war except to resist actual encroach-
ment, and then only after all powers
of diplomacy and arbitration had been
exhausted. But it is to be prepared
for this last unhappy contingency that
an army and navy are needed.
"Those who have not studied the
subject fail to realize that the pecu-
liar geographical position of the Unit
ed States requires for protection a
much larger fleet than if it's possessions
were concentrated in a smaller region.
It's coasts border on two oceans separ-
ated by many thousands of miles, and
its insular possessions lie far beyond
continental limits.
MUST HAVE TWO FLEETS.
THE limits that nave been set for
the United States navy do not contem-
plate preparation to meet two nations,
but only single one. This, however,
includes any one. The most casual
study of the policy required Will re-
veal the necessity for having two bat
tie fleets, one in the Atlantic and one
in the Pacific, each adequate to cope
with any situation that may quickly
arise in its own region.
This does not mean half fleet in
the Atlantic and half fleet in the
Pacific, halves liable to destruction one
at a time by any enemy far inferior to
the combined fleet, the prime cause OF
Russia's recent defeat. 1t does not
, mean a fleet of proper size in the At
: lantic and no fleet in the Pacific, nor
a proper fleet in the Pacific and none
= in the Atlantic.
despite the inspiring example we
are having of our ability to move 1t
l battleships from one to the other ocean
with certainty and precision that
marks an end in naval achievements
: if war breaks out with our fleet IN
only one ocean an enemy could hole
: uninterrupted sway for a period o
= months while the feet was being trans
ferred, during which time the damage
I wrought might be irreparable.
t eve must have an adequate flee
t with all the means in each of thu
Q widely separated regions where attacl
: is possible"
President Roosevelt wrote in his let
ter authorizing the Dewey interview;
It "These excellent people might a
e we'll memorabilia the mayor of New
e York to reduce the police force of tina
d city or sign a petition to curtail tn
l. fire department. An adequate navy !
Q sure guarantee of peace and main
y tenance of law and order in inter
81 national affairs, as is adequate polio
protection in municipal affairs. AS pos
= session Of a well equipped fire depart
a ment insures a city against loss fror
=. destructive fires, so does a well equip
# ped and adequate navy insure a natio
v against destructive wars"
a MUST YIELD.
r C,bipo,s AO0 0OO OOO should now b