Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-08
H3BSoH PLEADS FOR
TWO MAMMOTH SHIPS
Alabama Congressman Rakss a
Strong Argument fOF Two Of
Twenty five Thousand Tons.
SHlULO LAY DOWN SIX EACH YEAR
National Defcnses Both on Atlantic
and Pacific Coasts Are in Precali-
Gus Condition, Declares the Speak
er-Diecusses the Possibility of a
Conflict With Japan.
(By Associated press)

WASHINGTON, H. G., April Z =
Pointing OIL what he declared TO be
The precarious condition OF the ma
lional defense of the United states
both in the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans. Mr.. lIobson. OF Alabama, in
the House of Representative today
made IN earnest plea for two battle
ships of $4,000 tons displacement in
addition TO the Two authorized by the
naval appoprition bill. He said that
Il conservative estimate would indi-
cate chat for the minimum basis OF
security and safety in the Pacific
ocean the United States SHOULD lay
down at least four big ships q year
for many years to come, until Japan
comedies TO us what is inevitable-the
American control CT the sen around
which our possessions are scattered.
AS n minimum for the Atlantic ocean
batileships year, he said. Heretofore.
said Mr.. Hobson, the weakness OF
America in the matter OF national de-
Tense had not been fatal 10 Its growth
and development because the oceans
constituted great barrier between
America and the armies OF the world.
Now, however, said he, the oceans
have been bridged and the armies OF
the world have been brought to our
doors, and along with the armies OF
The older nations OF Europe, have
come the armies of the ancient ma
lions OF Asia" He said that where
america had formerly lived more or
less In isolation, she is now exciting
The jealousy of other great nations In
threatening their supremacy in COM
merce. industry and finance. In add
ition, he declared that recent events
have thrown us into the political vor-
tex of, the world. and that the dan
sc..s of being unprepared are becom-
ing greater and greater with each
succeeding year.
After calling attention to America's
lack of n merchant marine, which
could be used as auxilaries in time
of war, and of transportation neces
sary for properly conducting war op
erations, Mr.. Hobson said:
I'VE have almost no standing army,
and could not prevent the seizure
by foreign power OF a harbor on
our shores or near our shores, TO be
used rs naval base; wheieas 1t would
be practically impossible for America
10 secure n naval base for operations
in European waters. Forts, mines,
iorpedoes, torpedo boats and submar-
ines are valuable accessories, but such
defenscs have never stopped deter
mined commander of a great fleet.
They did not stop Nelson at Copen-
!, bag n. nor Farrasut at Mobile Bay,
nor Dewey at Manila. Such delenses
never determine the issues OF war.
ana have no weight in lettering an,
enemy from seeking war. The forts
that we have are woefully unnamed.
whereas the troops needed FOR other
! landward defence could not he mob
ili2cd within the time necessary"
Conflict With Japan.
The possibility OF a conflict with
Jaran was discussed at length by MI.
IIobson. He said it was but perfectly
natural for Japan 10 aspire TO domin
ate the commerce of China. the COM
mcrco OF Asia and of the Pacific
ocean. And he added II was perfect
ly natural for Japan 10 seek TO con-
troll the policies of China and to at
tain supremacy In the Pacific ocean
ana 10 lead the yellow race toward a
recognized supremacy in the world.
with regard to the great nations
of the the white race, Mr.. Hobson
said:
ut is. OF course, clear to the Jap
anese statesmen that America is the
! one great nation standing athwart OF
the realization of these ambitions. 1t
is true that, America only asks far
chance and no favor-simply the open
!. door policy in China-but this policy
goes counter to Japanese ambitions.
The United States, said Mr.. Hoo
son, must ACCEPT Japans protesta-
lions OF friendship. and we should