The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
Argue Need of Fleet in Pacific
WORLDS TOUR OF
FLEET EXPENSIVE
congressman Disagree on Value
of Spectacular Cruise
to the Pacific

We 0AOP tnC E-utAppiuCc we OTOp
the chance of war in the Pacific ocean,
said Representative Money In congress
yesterday. He was sure there was no
treaty right on the part of Japan that
would Justify the attitude of that ma
tton on the San Francisco school ques-
uon, but Japan was ready to provoke
trouble.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-The re-
ported purpose Of the president to send
the feet Of battleships around the
world was the basis of discussion
in the senate today when the naval
appropriation bill was taken up for
consideration.
Bacon of Georgia asked what weuld
be the cost of this cruise around the
world Hale, chairman of the commit
tee on naval affairs, replied that it
would be difficult to state the cost.
but he was satisfied that the wear and
tear on the fleet would be very great.
The cost, he said, would not be known
for year. He referred to the cruise
as "a spectacular performance"
Bacon said he agreed that it was
spectacular performance, but" he
added, 1T may be a very dangerous
performance"
Hale disclaimed any purpose to
trip around the world. He referred to
it as spectacular in the sense that it
was most remarkable and wonderful"
Bacon said he hoped the report that
the fleet is to go around the world
would prove incorrect. He not only
looked upon it as dangerous, but also
as expensive, saying it would cost al
most million dollars TO take the fleet
through the Suez canal alone.
Beveridge inquired whether there are
facilities in the Pacific for making
necessary repairs to the fleet" and Hale
replied that that was one of the ques-
tions that would have to be taken up.
1t would, he said, cost tens and tens
Of millions to supply those facilities.
DANGER OF WAR
Mooney made an extended speech on
the danger of war if the Philippines
are held by this country, saying that
all nations that have had dependencies
have been obliged to maintain great
navies. The 100000 people of the
Philippines, he said, had cost this coun-
try several hundred millions already,
and that money would produce no ma
terial result of advantage to this coun-
try, but should be charged up TO "the
mere pleasure of ruling other people"
Money instanced the San Francisco
school troubles as an example for the
rapidity with which war clouds might
overshadow the country.
II We OTOp the ne SalO,
1--WE drop the chance of war in that
ocean" He was sure there was no
treaty right on the part of Japan that
would Justify the attitude of that ma
ton on the San Francisco school ques-
tion. but Japan was ready to provoke
q quarrel"
Mr.. Money predicted that in 10 years
the United States would have to
fight somebody" and he paid a COM
f0lfFnanf n TananaSa yo1nr nd nh
endurance.
Whenever we tackle that little ma
tion." he declared, I'VE will have all
we can do"
"You have got to keep that fleet
there" he declared. 'if you are to
hold the Philippines"
GOOD FROM LONG CRUISE
Defending the policy of sending the
fleet of battleships to the Pacific
ocean, Senator Lodge said great good
is already resulting from the long
cruise, and it is teaching the fleet
how to maintain itself away from ship
yards by making repairs by its own
mechanics on board.
Il think this voyage has done more
for the navy than anything that has
been undertaken, he said.
He declared that even should the
Philippines be abandoned that action
would not make any difference In the
need of a feet.
Senator Beveridge advocated a'great-
er navy than the United States now
has. The policy of the democrats, he
said. favors keeping the Philippines
until the people there are fitted for
self government; in any event it Will be
necessary 20 keep the islands for
many years. Before the fleet started.
he said, there had been much talk of
war, but after 1t reached the Pacific
waters such talk decreased and has
now almost vanished.
Upon Beyeridge concluding his re-
marks there was an outburst of ap-
plause in the galleries, and Senator
Hale arose.
Now" said Hale '1et us see If we
can make some progress with the
bill"
The senate spent almost two hours
reading the bill and discussing it's
provisions. The only amendment of
Importance agreed upon was one in
cluding retired officers of the navy
in the benefits of the 20 per cent sal
ary increase provided for officers on
the active list.