The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-15

w an appropriation for four
new battleships was re-
ceiVed to-day by both houses OF Con-
gress and attracted much attention.
The debate on the naval appropria-
tion bill was under full sway in the
House whom the message arrived
Typographical error in the prin.
of the message was seized. upon by
those opposed TO the four battleship
Plan 70 d.iay the reading. in the hope
that the provision rela ting TO the bat
tleshaps would be first Reached and
thereby discount any effect the meg
sage might have In bringing members
over to the Presidents view.
Consequently the message was not
laid before the House until Just be-
fore the close of the days work 1t was
enthusiastically received by the ad-
Vocates of a larger navy.
The antis later gave vent to their
feelings by applauding a petition from
a number of citizens of New York,
which was read at the instance of Mr..
Tawney, protesting against "the ex-
trayagance OF spending over $50, 100000
for four battleships." 1t was evident
that the opponents of four battleships
were in the majority. although the final
vote Will be close.
On an objection by Mr.. Williams. Mr.
Hobson was prevented from having
read a memorial from laboring men
favorng the building of more ships
The message was presented in the
Senate Immediately after the conclu-
sion of Senator Foraker's speech, and
while Vice-President Fairbanks was
engaged in vigorous attempt to re-
store order. The secretary of the Sen
ate ran through the document in short
order, and motion to adjourn ended
the dilemma. Senator's We're supplied
with copies of the document. and many
read it with avidity. The message was
a brief but vigorous contention for the
rapid development OF the navy. 1t was
in part as follows:
The Message.
ITO the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives:
Let me again urge upon the
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 be-
tween the different nations TO linz
it the increase of naval arma-
ments. and especially to limit the
size of warships. Under these cir
cumstances felt that the construc-
ton of one battleship a year would
keep our navy up to It's then positive
and relative strength. But actual
experience showed not merely that
ii was impossible to obtain such an,
|. agreement for limitation OF arma-
ments among the various leading
powers, but that there was no like
lihood whatever of obtaining it in
the future within any reasonable
| time. Coincidentally with this dis
covery occurred a radical change
| in the building Of battleships
among the great military nations
| a change in accordance with which
the most modern hattleships have
! been or are being constructed, OF
| size and armament which doubles
or more probably trebles their ef-
| fectiveness
every other great naval nation
has or is beginning a. number OF
new ships of this kind. We have
| provided for but two and there
fore the balance of power is now
inclining against us. Under these
conditions, to provide for but one
or two battleships year is to pro-
vide that this nation, instead OF
advancing. shall so backwards In