The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-04-16

sage Being Read On Typographical
Error - Mr.. Roosevelt Calls It a
Measure FOR Peace.
Washington. April 15.-The message
OF the president in support OF his plan
Tor an>approprsation for four new bat
tleships. concerning which there has
been So much speculation. was receiv
ed by both houses OF congress.
There was considerable delay in the
reading of the message in both the
senate and the house. In the senate
because Senator Foraker was engaged
IN making his Brownsville speech
when the document was received. and
IN the house because that body was
In committee of the whole on the naval
appropriation bill
That the message was designed t.
/ influence the house 10 increase the
number OF battleships provided for in
the naval bill from two 10 four was
generally understood. and the dis
patch of the message was intended L.
be so timed as to reach the house just
before the taking up OF that provision.
The debate en- the naval appropria
ton bill was on when the message ar
rived. and IL quickly became noisea
about that the anticipated document
| had reached the house All sorts OF
questions were asked OF the floor
leaders as 90 when the reading OF the
message would begin. bat a typograph.
ical error in the print OF the message
was seized upon hy those opposed %
The four hattlcship plan 20 delay the
reading In the hope that the provision
relating 90 the battieships would be
first reached and thereby discount any
effect the message might have in
bringing members over 20 the presi
dents view. II looked at one time as
If IL would De necessary % return the
message to the president so that he |
might make the necessary correction I
and when this was avoided. further l
delay was caused by the necessity OF /
change which would transform the I
committee of the whole into the house /
proper and then return 20 the-commit /
tees method az proceeding Conss. /
quentiy the message vas not laid before /
the house until just before the close |
Of the days work it, was enthusi I
asticaliy received by the advocates OF /
larger navy.
The "antis" later gave vent 70 their /
feelings by applauding a petition from /
a number oil citizens of New York |
city. which vas read az the instance |
Of Mr.. rawney. protesting against /
the extravagance OF spending over |
s60.ono.o0o for four hattleships"
These demonstrations Afforded q
fair opportunity 20 judge the temper
If D..
osition II was evident that the op-
ponents 90 four battleships we're in
the majority although the final vote
viii be close.
The message was a brief but vigor-
Gus contention for the rapid develop
ment OF the navy. China was held
up as an example OF the 7reace az any
price" doctrine. and Great Britain as
having the naval policy % BE- emulat.
ed. 10 was contended that the result
of the last Hague conference made il
plain that the nations would not for
some time o. ever. agree on a plan OF
limitation of naval armament Di~.
claiming any Intention on the part of
the United States ever to engage in q
war for conquest the president made
Il plain that this country could ODD al
ford 10 relax into position where in
suit would have 20 hc borne in silence.
The president declares that the meas.
ure IS necessary 90 keep pace with tht
constructive work OF other nations lest
the United States fall out of.its pres
ent place as a naval power. Our posi- /
ton. he says is already menaced by /
the additional construction of other |
powers. and while there is no present 4
probability OF war the United States /
must be IN a proper position 10 defend /
herself. not only on one sea0oard bur |
on both
Nj Roosevelt points out that there |
Is vast danger always confronting |
this nation because OF greedy eyes cast |
upon its wealth by other nations. on |
the basis of preparation acting as /
sure defence. be- advocates the |
strengthening of the navy. which pol |
icy he regards not as a war measure, /
but surety of peace