Gilpin observer., 1908-04-16
PRESIDENT STRONGLY URGES
THEIR NECESSITY IN sPE.
clAL MESSAGE.
WOULD BUILD FOUR
THEIR CONSTRUCTION WOULD
MAKE FOR PEACE AND
NOT FOR WAR.

Washington.-Compr into what
would be not more than ten minute
speech on the floor of Congress. Pres
ident Roosevelt Tuesday urged that
body In a special message to provide
for the construction of four battle
ships Of the largest and most approved
type at once.
The text of the message was in part
as follows:
ITO the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives-Let me again urge upon
Congress the need of providing for
four battleships of the best and most
advanced type at this session.
Prior to the recent Hague confer
ence it had been my hope that an
agreement could be reached between
the different nations to limit the in
crease of naval ornaments. and es-
pecially to limit the size of warships.
Under these circumstances | felt that
the construction Of one battleship
year would keep our navy up to ITS
then positive and relative strength.
But actual experience showed not
merely that it was impossible to oh
tion of armaments among the various
leading powers, but that there was no
likelihood whatever of obtaining il in
the future within any reasonable time.
"Coincidentally with this discovery
occurred a radical change In the build
ing of battleships among the great mil
itary nations-a change in which IL
was apparent modern battleships have
been or are being constructed OF
size and armament which doubles, or
more probably trebles. their effective
ness.
Every other great nation has built
or Is building a number OF ships OF
this kind; we have provided for but
one, and therefore the balance OF
power is now inclining against us.
Under these conditions. to provide for
but one or two battleships a year is
to provide that this nation, instead of
advancing, shall go backward in naval
rank and relative power among the
great nations.
Such a course would be unwise for
us II we fronted merely on one ocean.
and 1t is doubly unwise for us II we
front on two oceans. As chief execu-
tive of the nation and as. commander
in chief of the navy. the solemn re-
sponsibility is imposed upon me of ad-
vising the Congress OF the measures
vitally necessary to secure the peace
and welfare of the republic in the
event OF international complications
which are even remotely possible.
Having in view this solemn re-
sponsibility, earnestly advise that the
Congress now provide four battleships
of the most advanced type.
81 cannot too emphatically say that
this is a measure Of peace and not o:
war / can conceive of no circum-
stances under which this republic
should enter into an aggressive war:
most certainly under no circumstances
would 1t enter into an aggressive war
to extend its territory or in any other
manner seek material ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
81 advocate that the United States
build a navy commensurate with its
powers and its needs. because | feel
that such navy will be the surest
guaranty and safeguard of peace.
The United States can hope for
permanent career of peace on only
one condition. and that is on condition
of building and maintaining a first
class navy; and the step to be taken
toward this end at this time Is to pro.
vide for the building of four additional
battleships.
81 earnestly wish that the Congress
would pass the measures for which I
have asked for Strengthening and rem
dering more efficient the army as well
as the navy; all Of these measures as
affecting every branch and detail Of
both services are sorely needed and
it would be the part of far-sighted wis
dom to enact them all into laws. but
the most vital and immediate need is
that of the four battleships.
"To carry out this policy is but to
act in the spirit of George Washing
ton; is but to continue the policies
which he outlined when he said. oh
serve good faith and justice toward all
nations. Cultivate peace and harmony
with all.
1.-The United States ought not to in
dulge a persuasion that, contrary to
the order of human events, time will
forever keep at a distance those pain.
full appeals to arms with which the
history of every other nation abounds.
There is rank due the United States
among nations which will be withheld
II not absolutely lost by the reputation
OF weakness. II we desire to avoid
insult we must be able to repel It,
II we desire to secure peace. one o:
the most powerful instruments OF our
rising prosperity. II must be known
that we are at all times ready for war
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"