The sun., 1908-04-14
The Peacefulness Of Hobson,

Captain RICHMOND P. HoBsON realizes
that he is misunderstood in the House
by both parties and by advocates Of two
new battleships and pleaders for four.
Does he demand the largest navy in the
world because he worships military
glory? The House ought TO knoG better.
His reproof still echoes in the corridors:
II do not care how hot blooded man may be
before he goes In. Let him 90 In and get taste
OF war and that will make OF him \ disciple OF
! peace for the rest Of his days. When |
think Of the Spanish war my heart cries out How
long, how long must noble men continue to slay
EACH other In this way"
So the Captain has made 100
speeches in the cities pleading for peace"
that is 10 say for an American navy
larger than the other navies Of the world.
Toa question in the House by Mr.. RAINRY
Of Illinois, who was curious about the
number Of battleships We needed 10
defend our coast lines, Captain HoBsoN
replied by giving the naval programmes
of other Powers and declaring that
Congress ought to authorize six new
battleships this year and four more each
subsequent year
Mr. RlISEr--How long would II take At this
rate before developments occurred that would stop
the building Of four a yeAr'
MI HoBaoN-No one can foreSeF
Mr.. RANET-It might 90 to two or three hun.
dred bs'teshlps, according 10 the genlleman's
position.
Mr. IloBsoN the other nations built 100 each
then We ought to build about 800. Now, please DO
not Interrupt me IN order TO ask ridiculous Ques.
lions ] do not Yield. Mr. ChSlrman. for such
questions
Mr. RAISEI How much will II cost to nlalntsln
these battleshlps'
The Chalrman-Th, gentleman from Alabama
declines to Yield
Mr. RARRr-I thought he declined 10 Yield 10
ridiculous question and | am not asking rdcu
lous questions. Applause
Mr. HohsoN-Mr. Chairman. ~ IL puerlls for
us 20 assume that We are no, In any danger"
The House should have more patience
with Captain HoBsoN. His purpose
stands revealed He has given the
House the key Of his policy. Every
man who goes in," that is TO say, goes
TO the front or goes down TO the sea
in ships TO fight, is satisfied with his
first experience and thereafter becomes
an evangel Of peace like Captain HoBsoN.
His dream then is easily comprehended.
'The war clouds are gathering. A vast
conflict involving many peoples and
various races would not surprise him;
indeed, he rather expects it, and while
il would take an awful toll Of life and
treasure II would have its compensation
that is TO say, II would cure the world
Of war, armies would be disbanded and
navies dismantled and international diff
ferences forever after would be referred
TO the Hague Tribunal.
Mr. BARTHoLDT Of Missouri would
cure the world Of war by talking about
it in peace conferences. Mr.. BURTON of
Ohio would reach the same end by re-
duoing naval estimates and setting other
nations an example Of moderation.
Captain HoBsoN sees the folly Of both
remedies, and having had his fill of war
would extirpate it by the heroic measure
Of making it general just once. Any
other explanation Of his insatiate policy
of building more battleships than all
the nations Of Europe and Asia combined
is not lucid. 1t is grand conception,
but we fear that the House will continue
to exhibit impatience with Captain
HoBsoN.