Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-07-25
HARD HITTING
Navy NEEDED
The President Appeals For
Powerful Warshlps.
BEST GUARANTEE OF PEACE

On Trip to Newport, r. L., Mr.. Roose.
velt's Yacht Rammed and Sank a
Lumber Schooner - Lifeboat From
the Mayflowsr Saved the Crew OF
slx-6y Presidents Order They
Were Given Money to Take Them to
Their Homes--6owsprit Of the May.
flower Is Missing.
Newport. X. l.. July 90 Pleading
Sor popular support for first class
fighting navy" a navy capable OF seek
ing out the enemy and ''hammering
him into the quits" President Roose
welt was the central figure here in the
most notable conference OF American
naval officers ever called together to
consult and discuss. In a broad gen
eral way. the future United States bat
tleships.
Il want u firstclass fighting navy. or
no navy at all. said the president.
because first.class fighting navy is
the most effective guarantee OF peace
this nation can have.
II hope this nation will never have
to hit We should do everything that
honorably can be done To avoid trou.
BILE. But when we do go to war. war is
only excusable II the navy is prepared
to hammer its opponent until he quits
fighting. And you can't hammer your
opponent II you walt for him to come
to the coast and hammer you first
For the protection OF our coasts We
need fortifications. so that the navy
may be left free to stretch out and de
stroy the enemy. That is Its func.
ton"
Mr.. Roosevelt declared that even II
the United States had no island pos
sessions. the need for an aggressive
naval policy would still be present
The Monroe Doctrine. he declared
had almost fallen into disgrace and
contempt until the American nation
began 10 build up its navy
The president impressed upon the
officers that II was given to them
to keep the American navy abreast
Of the times and to make IL the
hard-hitting. efficient fighting force
which he believes to be a guarantee
against the possibility of war Mr.
Roosevelt characterized the navy a.
the cheapest form Of safety insurance
policy the nation can obtain.
When the yacht Mayhower. flying
the presidents flag. steamed into the
harbor. with her bowsprit missing, one
anchor gone. bow plates denied and
six strange figures in black oil skins
gathered in the bow, she brought the
story OF an adventure in the black
est fog of the summer and of IA col
lision In which the lumber laden
schooner Menawa was cut practically
in two by the presidents yacht. a life
boat from the Mayhower picked up the
crew OF six men on the sinking boat.
They were taken on board and when
the Mayilower arrived here. the presi.
dent who knew nothing of the acct
dent and the danger of the collision
until he arose. directed that they be
given sufficient money To take them TO
their homes In Maine. and that the
master OF the schooner Skipper
Hutchinson. be provided with trans.
portation to the office OF his agents In
New York
Commander Snowden. who was in
command OF the Mayflower. summoned
the men to his cabin and organized a
summary court of inquiry. in which he
took their statements for use in an in.
vestigation which he Immediately re-
quested the navy department at Wash.
ington to undertake There was no ex.
element OF any sort on the yacht at
the time OF the collision.