Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-02-21
BUILD PLENTY
OF SHIPS.

OF SHIPS.
The house committee in charge of
the naval bill is acting in good faith
of course in cutting down the provi-
sions for bsttleships. 1t does not ac-
eept the presidents urgent recommen-
dation for four ships, but provides for
only two, The reason for declining
TO approve the presidents suggestion
for more rapid construction of battle
ships is based on economy alone. The
treasury. we are told. must face a de-
felt unless expenditures are rightly
held down.
That is a good course to pursue.
everything else considered. But is
the committee considering everything
else? Is true economy being observed
or is something even more important
than dollars and cents being over
looked in the fear of a treasury de
felt? With all due respect to the
members Of the committee the
washington Post says: ut may not
be offensive 20 suggest that the peo-
pie of the United States will share
the presidents view, and not that Of
the committee, on the question of nav
al increase. The president must be
concerned with economy, as well as
congress. but he is in a better posi-.
ton than the naval committee TO un.
derstand the needs of this nation in
military provision. lie knows what
other nations are doing, and probably
he has a good idea of what they are
planning to do. He knows exactly
what the American feet can accom-
piish now and what it ought to ac
complish. He is informed as to tbs
needs and dangers of American pos
sessions in the two seas-better in
formed than congress can be. 1t *
not strange, therefore. that the people
should heartily approve his propose
to provide for four battleships of the
largest and best pattern. The ex
pense of providing these ships is I
/ small matter, even in times of peace
and if war should come, congress
| would bitterly rue its false econom.
in falling to provide for the country
defense. Wisdom requires congress
to act upon the theory that war is no
| improbable. If that is not wisdom
there is no wisdom in having a navy
Men speak of a navy as an assistan
in developing commerce, but this
mere politeness. The navy has n
excuse for being unless it is fit 70
fighting. Its object is to be able at
moments notice to defend the nj
tional interests and honor by knocl
ing ont any enemy that encroache
upon either. If it cannot accomplis
this purpose, then it is a most e,
travagant and useless possession.
Russia proposes to spend $4,000
900 in making Vladivostok stron
Pacific base. Japan is pushing wor
on her navy day and night. German
is now building a navy that wi
eclipse that of the United State
Great Britain is keeping well ahead
all would-be rivals. The prompt actic
of British squadron in the Port
guese crisis illustrates how Gre
Britain with an adequate navy is alb
= to take advantage of circumstance
as we'll as to ward off danger. II
I
United States is classed among Il
other powers and must have NAY
, able to hold its own among them.
is no longer a matter of choice, b
of necessity. This nation must eth
be prepared to defend its possession
or to surrender them. AS it will ne
er surrender. them, it will defer
them This course. not admitting
. any alternative, is paramount to al
;, question of economy in shipbuiIdin
True economy lies in building plen
of ships, in order that greater al
more deadly expense may be avoided
The executiye committee of 4