The San Francisco call., 1908-05-07
PRESENTED BY NEBRASKAN


great fleet on this side of the CONT
nent, IL was Governor George L. Shell
don Of Nebraska who presented the pa
pers to the secretary. In his presenta-
ton address Sheldon declared that peo-
pie Of his state were coming to realize
that their own welfare made 1t neces-
sary TO provide adequate naval protec-
tion for the Pacific coast.
Those who expected the head of the
navy department TO outline the policy
OF the administration as to the final
disposition of the warships. or TO
touch, however lightly, upon delicate
diplomatic questions, were disappointed.
Although the secretary had previously
asked that no newspaper representa-
tives be in the banquet hall. that he
might speak freely without danger of
publicity. his speech was Of only two
Minutes duration.
Metcalf said that the disposition of
The feet was a matter he was not pre-
pared TO discuss.
I shall present this memorial to the
president" said Secretary Metcalf. i'm
mediately after I return to Washington.
The matter is one of great Importance,
and ] can assure you il will receive
careful consideration. AS to the dis
position of the fleet. that is a matter
that I am not prepared to discuss in
public"
But following his remarks. Metcalf
significantly read kilograms from Is
Pacific coast congressman strongly
urging the measure as advocated in the
petitions. Among them were kilograms
from Senators Perkins and Flint and
Representatives KnoWland Hayes En-
glebright and Kahn Of this state and
Senator Piles and Representatives
Humphrey. Cushman and Jones of
Va y Hfr1c
latter read: I'VE again urge you to
retain an adequate squadron of battle
ships and cruisers on the Pacific. The
feet is there; keep it there and build
another for the Atlantic. We congrat-
ulate you and the officers and men upon
the safe arrival, and especially con-
graduate the people of California and
city Of San Francisco on their splendid
reception TO the best navy in the
world"
HAWAII JOINS REQUEST
Hawaii urges retention OF the fleet
on the Pacific in the interests of in
ternational peace" was the message
sent by J. Kalanainaolo. delegate fronn
Hawaii When the secretary had fin
ished reading the last telegram he was
enthusiastically cheered.
The breakfast began promptly at 9
o'clock in the morning. and took place
IN the beautifully adorned red room OF
the St Francis, which had been deco
rated with flags and a profusion of
flowers. The dining room was turned
into a veritable tropical garden by
unique arrangement of tall. waving
bamboo plants at various points about
It On the table was an immense bam-
boo basket containing pineapples, 'avo-
Gates, mangoes, breadfruit, bananas
apples, oranges, figs, cherries and other
fruits typically representative of the
Pacific coast and islands Around them
were banked great masses of California
flowers. The general color scheme of
the decorations was in red and yellow.
After being introduced by Chairman
Rufus Jennings Of the promotion com
mittee, who presided as toastmaster
Governor Sheldon Of Nebraska in his
presentation address, before handing to
Secretary Metcalf the huge list of pc
titions. bound together in a folder of
red morocco leather. spoke as follows:
PLEA FOR PROTECTION
I have been requested to present to
you. on behalf OF the hundreds of COM
mercial organizations of the Pacific
coast states and the territories of Ari-
zona, Alaska. Hawaii and the Philippine
islands, this memorial, requesting that
there be maintained permanently on
the EdC4HC ocean an adequate Meet OF
battleships and cruisers to protect the
interests Of the nation. Coming from
the state of Nebraska, rar removed
from the shores of the oceans. most
heartily on behalf of my people in
dorse this memorial. The CONNER
cial supremacy Of the United States
on the Pacific is a matter that is
OF vital Importance to the entire
nation. and it behooves the nation to
so safeguard the possess.ons OF the
country that the whole nation viii be
benefited Our flag floats over the Phil
ippines and Hawaii, and il certainly is
TO the. interest Of the entire nation IA
see that these possessions have com
plete protection at all times. I feel
Mr.. Secretary, that there is no greater
duty attaching to US than that OF main
tanning upon the Pacific ocean a feet
If warships such as will insure peace
for all time. On the Atlantic there IS
perfected commerce. but we have that
commerce to build on the Pacific, and
we should be as ready at all times tc
protect and defend the Pacific posses.
eons as we are 10 send protection II