Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-04-14
ROOSEVELT WANTS
MORE BAn![SH|PS
I Springs Special Message on
Congress Urging Vessels
AS Peace Measure
FAILURE OF DISARMAMENT
FAILURE OF DISARMAMENT
President Says Hague Conferences
Failure to Agree Makes New Ships
Essential to Safety of Nation -
Tawney Takes Different View and
Opposes Large Appropriation.

SRRVo00
washington, April 14.-Compressed
into what would be not more than
Eress, President Roosevelt today urged
that body in a special message to pro-
! vide for the construction of four bat
teships Of the largest and most i'm
proved type, at once. The arguments
Of the president to impress his INSIST
ence on this naval program were few
was held up as an example OF the
"peace at any price" doctrine, and
Great Britain as having naval policy
to be emulated. The result of the last
Hague conference made it plain that
the nations would not for some time,
il ever, agree on a plan Of limitation
president holds, can not be relied upon
as an effective remedy, altho it should
be utilized to its fullest extent. Dis
claiming any intention on the part Of
the United States ever to engage in
war Of conquest, the president made
1t plain that this country could i'll af-
ford to relax into a place where insult
would have to be borne in silence.
Washington. April 14.-President
Roosevelt sent 1000 word message to
congress today, advocating the build
ing Of four battleships. The president
says in part:
i Let me again urge upon congress
the need of providing for four battle-
ships OF the most advanced type, at
this session. Prior to the recent Hague
conference it had been my nope that
an agreement could be reached be-
+ tween the different nations to limit the
increase in naval ornaments, espec-
tally to limit the size Of Warships I'm
der these circumstances felt the
construction Of one battleship year
would keep our navy up to its then
positive and relative strength. But
actual experience showed me that it
was impossible to obtain such agree
ment for the limitation of arndmentS
among the various leading powers, but
that there was no likelihood whatever
Of obtaining it in the future within any
reasonable time. Coincidently with
this discovery occurred radical change
in the building of battleships among
the great military nations, change in
accordance with which the most mod
ern battleships have been or are being
constructed, of a size and armament
which doubles, or more probably
trebles, their effectiveness.
Other Nations Building.
Every other great naval nation has,
or is, building number of ships of
this kind; we have provided for but
two: therefore, the balance of power
is now inclining against u.s. Under
these conditions, to provide for but one
or two battleships year is to provide
that this nation, instead of advancing,
shall go backwards in naval rank and
relative power among the great ma
tlons. Such a course would be unwise
for us if we fronted merely on one
ocean, and it is doubly unwise when
we front on two oceans. AS chief eX-
ecutive of the nation, and as comman-
der in chief of the navy, there is i'm
posed upon me the solemn response
oihty of advising congress of meas
1res vitality necessary to secure the
peace. We are not a military nation.
the event of International complica-
tions whichh are even remotely possi-
BILE. Having in view this solemn re-
sponsibility, l earnestly advise con-
gress to now provide four battleships
of the most advanced type.
A Measure Of Peace.
II cannot too ,hatically say that
this is measure of peace, and not of
var. can conceive of no circum-
stances under which this republic
would enter into an aggressive war to
extend its territory or in any other
manner seek material aggrandize-
ment. l advocate that the United
States build a navy commensurate
with it's powers and it's needs, because
surest guaranty and safeguard OF
Our army is SO small as to present an
almost absurd contrast to our size. 1t
Is properly treated as little more than
nucleus for organization in case of
a serious war. Yet we are a rich ma
ton, and undefended wealth invites
aggression. The very liberty of indi-
vidual speech and action which we so
prize and guard renders it possible
that at times unexpected causes of
sriction with foreign powers may sud
denly develop.
Arbitration Treaties Negotiated.
sAt this moment we are negotiating |
arbitration treaties with all other great |
powers that are willing to enter into
them. These arbitration treaties have !
special usefulness because in the event |
pf some sudden disagreement they rem
4sr y morally incumbent upon both