Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-25
Roosevelt and Four-Battleship
Forces Stand to Win in
Next Congress
DEMOCRATS CHANGING FRONT
While Denver Convention Kissed Hob
sons Speech, Bryan Ordered Naval
Views incorporated in Platform -
EnsIand's Bluff and tho Menace Of
the Far East Important Factors.

Especial Washington Correspondence
Washington, Aug. 25.-Naval policy
is going to be one of the big and burn
ing questions at the next session of
congress. The people who last winter
made the great fight for four battle-
ships and finally as compromise re-
ceived the assurance of two each year
hereafter, are expected, in view of eX-
pressions which some of them have
INDUCED, and of shiftings in interna-
tional naval relations and programs, to
be dissatisfied with that arrangement,
and to insist on three or four new
fighting monsters at the next ses-
sion.
There are several reasons why the
fight is going to be pushed with great
vigor' this time. One of the most i'm
portant, tho the greater navy advo-
Gates mention it only in undertones,
is that the coming session will be the
last of Theodore Roosevelts vigorous
handling of the big stick. The presi-
dent favors powerful navy. When
i he was secretary Of the navy he got
the forty-eight- battleship. two-fieet
idea in his head. and set at work to
realize that ideal. He really started
at that time the program which has
brought realization in sight Comes
now Admiral Evans and declares that
our ships are good enough, only there
should be forty eight of them; fleet
of sixteen in commission on each ocean
at all times, with eight in reserve on
each ocean.
Democrats Swallow Hobson.
The two ocean standard has had
strong Endorsement from the country.
Nothing, indeed, has gone SO far to-
ward assuring that the future attitude
of congress toward naval expansion
will be increasingly liberal, as the
adoption of strong naval program
declaration by the democrats at Den
yer. 1t can be said. moreover, that
that plank went into the platform be-
cause Mr.. Bryan, by telephone from
Lincoln, told his confidential friends
that they might "have all the fun they
wanted with Hobson, but to be sure
to adopt what he wanted in the plat
form" They did, too. The conven-
ton Missed his speech but the resolu-
tions committee took his plank and the
convention adopted it with cheers.
There were few expressions in the
platform which. when read, received
more earnest applause than this. That
Hobson might easily be secretary OF
the navy in a Bryan cabinet is the
guess which has been widely accepted
since the Denver performance, by peo-
pie who know how close he has stood
to Bryan, and also to Roosevelt, on
this question of naval expansion.
Democrats Change Front.
The democrats have for many years
tended to oppose big naval programs,
them. Exceptions on both sides have
not made the rule less obvious. The
democrats are now pledged to expan-
sion, while the republican leaders have
pledged themselves to the program
of ordering two new first class bat
tleships per session.
But President Roosevelt has no more
ardent ambition than to leave the
White House with a greater navy pro-
gram firmly established. To this end
he is expected to join those who want
to get more than two battleships the
coming session.
Arguments will be presented in favor
Of this policy which have been brought
to light in the brief period since the
memorable four-battleship fight was
made last winter. Diplomatic and
naval developments in other parts Of
the world have been startling, in their
effect on the American naval situa-
ton. Thus the British governments
serious consideration of a half-billion
loan to increase the navy. is simply a
defiance to every other country which
would continue ambitious for any ma
val rank worth while. Aimed pri-
marty at Germany, of course, it none
the less affects other naval powers.
Could Call the Bluff
The United States is one country
able to call even SO stupendous bluff
as that, if it be necessary. 1t would
really be called by adopting the four
battleship program, with the distinct
understanding that this was to be the
rule hereafter SO long as other powers
were SO enthusiastically devotlng
themselves to naval aggrandisen1ent.
For America calmly to take up the
four battleships- a-year rule, and to
pay for them out of current revenues
without any perspiration, would be as
striking a demonstration of flnanclal
superiority to Britain, as Britain's
half billion lump investment in navy
would be proof of British premiership
as against Germany. This view is be-
ing strongly urged by people who feel
that a financial showing at this juno
ture would very likely save the neces-
sity of actually spending the money;
just as the British government is sus-
pected of bluffing Germany by showing
the British pile" in the hope that
Germany will give up the competition
and admit that she can't stay in 50
fast a game. 1t is the understanding
here that Germany will do just this.
Far East is a Menace.
But there are still more reasons why
the big-navy advocates consider that
the iron is hot for them right now.
They look to the far east, to the grow
ing tensity Of conditions, to the men
ace of Japanese aggression in China,
to the growing disposition of China to
lean on Americas arm of might, as
her one trusty defender against Eu-
ropean partition or japanese agrees |
sion. The possibility of a treaty of
defense and offense, between this coun-
try and China. foreshadowed most
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