Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-07-23
EARNEST PLEA
FORADEQUATE
FIGHTING
FLEET
President in Speech Before War
College Sets Forth Country'S
Needs in Matter of Battle
ships.
WOULD KEEP NAVY
ABREAST OF THE TIMES

lldl Olilpo OllUuiu Wl6lGly HCt
as Defenders of Ports and
Coasts.
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire I
Newport. r. l.. July 22.--Pleading
for popular support for FIRST class
lighting navy, navy capable Of seek
ing out the enemy and hammering him
until he quits" President Roosevelt
was the central figure today in the
most notable conference of American
naval officers ever called together in
this country and discussed in broad,
general way the future United States
battleships. The president spoke pub
licly for more than half an hour and
then the conference went into execu-
tive session for one hour.
During this session the president
took a leading part in the discussion.
He argued as a layman, he explained,
who should not attempt to give advice
to professional men. He impressed up
on the officers, however, that it was
given to them to keep the American
navy abreast OF the times and to make
1t the hard hitting. efficient flghting
force which he believes to be n guar
antee against the possibility of war
Mr., Roosevelt characterized the navy
as the cheapest form Of safety insur-
ance policy the nation can obtain.
The president sailed for oyster Bay
this afternoon but the conference will
continue here and in washington un-
til definite plans for the ships to be
laid down in the near future are de-
cided upon.
When tire cruiser yaeist AfAsatswef
flying the presidents white crested flag
Of blue at the main truck steamed
into the harbor this morning nearly
two hours behind schedule time with
her bow spirit missing one anchor
gone, how plates dented and six
strange figures in black oil skins and
so'westerns gathered in the pillow. she
brought the story of an adventurous
night in the lack and fog of
the summer sea and of n collision in
which the lumber laden schooner
Menawa was cut practically in two by
the. presidents yacht. A life boat low
cred from the Mayfower picked up the
crew Of six men In the sinking boat.
They were taken on board and today
when the Mayfiower arrived here the
president who knew nothing of the
accident ana the danger of the colli-
sion until he arose this morning. di-
rected that they be given sufficient
money to take them to their homes In
Maine and that the master of the
schooner, Skipper Hutchinson. be pro-
vided with transportation to the of
flee Of his agents in New York. Hav-
ing been picked up suddenly out OF
the blackness of a nasty night and set
down on hoard the yacht of the presi-
dent Of the United States the dazed
men who had lost their boat did not
know just how to respond to the Fresi-
dents sincere words Of regret over the
mishap this morning and his p.ovis-
ion for their journey home.
Commander Snowden, who was In
command Of the Mavfower. summon
ed the men to his cabin and organized
summary court Of inquiry in which
he took their statements for use in an
investigation which he immediately re-
quested the navy department ut Wash
ington to undertake. The Mayfiower.
after leaving the president and his
family at Oyster Bay tomorrow will
probably go to the New York navy
yard for thorough examination and
repairs. There was no excitement OF
any sort on the yacht at the time OF
the collision. The life boat crew got
away from their craft in fine style.
The men on the schooner had launch
ed a boat Immediately after the May
flower had struck them and were row
ing away from the wreck when the
Mayfiower's boat hailed them.
AS the Mayfiower came up the bay
a a ~ u ntalI
tion, now one hundred and eleven
years old: Dewey's famous flagship
the Olympia; the newest Of the AM
erlcan battleships in commission. the
Mississippi the cruiser Montgomery
the dispatch boat Dolphin and the
steam training ship Cumberland.
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
Newherry attended the conference az
did General Horace Porter. president
Of the Navy league and chairman o.
the board Of visitors to the naval
academy. The conference included nc
less than ten rear admirals of the
navv and q host of officers from the
Rrade Of captain and below Army Of
fieers from F0rt Adams and Fort
preble also were invited 10 the con
ference. The officers applauded the
presidents aggressive naval address
almost continuously.
The president spent the entire time
he was here upon the naval island
He was met at the dock by Rear Al.
miral Merrill president OF the war col.
IeRe: hv canta1n FulIam. command.
ant 0f the training station and by The
STATS OF the COLLEGE and station. The
taiiallon of anurentice seannen quar-
tered on the island raw recruits. wal
drawn M at attention along the wat
er front. The president inquired a.
~ the manner nf training the men and
few minutes later when the battalion
pnased IN review before him and thu
more advanced men gnve 'settinf
up' and Remanhore drill he express
Cd himself II terms Of high praise o.
the quich progress made IN tfalninl
green men
TO Admiral Merrill, 70 Captain