The Washington times., 1909-04-28
St. louiSan'S Dream of Peace
Endangered by Gigantic
Military Scheme.
ARMY AND NAVY
SEE LIGHT AHEAD
President Not Thought Likely to
Stand While European Nations
Race for Fighting Supremacy.
BY JAMES Hay. i.

II Richard Bartholdt, NJ G, M D..
and Eminent Advocate Of World
Peace, could hear the current talk
about the army and navy Increases
President Tafts next message to Con-
gress Will recommend. he would be-
come fighting mad.
Looking forward, as he does, to the
disarmament Of the nations. the Aed-
GRAFTON OF the world, aad the brother
hood OF man. he would be shocked to
know of the confidence in army and
navy circles that Mr.. Taft will earnest
Is ask for the upbuildine of the fight
ing branch of this Government such
program as is now predicted would dis
courage Representative Bartholdt in his
attempt to grasp the millennium by tie
forslock and do away With battleships
ane forts by means of arbitration and
disarmament.
Mr.. Taft has not made up his mind
on exactly what increases he w9l
recommend, and he will not do so until
he has had conferences some time this
summer with the Secretary of War and
the Secretary Of the Navy. BSt, If the
talk in Administration circles means
anything at all. It signlaes hrs purpose
20 secure substantial increases for both
ARM and navy. It is freely claimed in
army circles that ne viii recommend:
Probable recommendations.
That the Signal Corps be doubled,
costing 100000 more.
That $500, 900 be appropriated for aerial
navigation in connection with army
mansuvers.
That GU officers be added to the Ast
50 as to have enough to fill all the
details and command the troops.
That the coast artillery be substantial
~ increased, making 1t possible to
hanSle with sufficient men the coast
defenses.
Those who are familiar with the
naval situation claim he will recon-
mend. after hearing Secretary Meyers
report;
That two, perhaps three. frst-class
battleships be provided Tor.
That six or eight submarine tor
pedo boats be appropriated for, as op-
posed to the four carried in the last
appropriation bill
In the last bill two frst-ciass battle
ships were authorized. and President
Roosevelt would have liked to have had
more. The gossip at this time is that
there r. every probability that this
Administration viii ask for three.
Eacn OF these battlesnips. when COM
pleted. costs the Government about
10000 or 100000.
Navy Needs Much.
1t is admitted among all those famiI-
lar with the situation that the United
states Navy needs a substantial in
crease IN submarine torpedo boats. and
It is for this reason that the talk OF
increasing the item for them is heard.
The President has never hesitated 10
speak out his intention 20 do all he
could to keep the army and navy TO the
highest point Of efficiency. he began
20 say this in his speech OF acceptance
Of the Presidential nomination. He said
il IN his campaign speeches, and he
has repeated 1t since the campaign.
In addition 10 this. there can be no
doubt that Germany IS making great
strides in her naval development. and
that Great Britain. urged on by popular
and exaggerated fears, is preparing TO
Guido the Germans. Consequently. with
the avowed purpose Of keeping the su-
premacy of this country unthreatened
on the high seas. u would seem that
the Republican party. backed up By the
Administration. must add to the strength
and the expenses OF the lighting branch
OF the Government. Secretary Meyer
indicated this in his recent public utter
ance on the subject.
At any rate. this IL the talk heard IN
military circles, and these. by the way,
seem TO be confident that they know
whereof they speak.
Probably Hasn't Heard.
Possibly. Mr.. BarthoIdt has not heard
the talk yet. He differs from the view
OF the Administration that che best way
TO keep the peace IS to be SO strong that
nobody else can beat you He wants
everybody 10 be unable to do any beat
ing He has the millennium by the horns
but the millennium Is a heavy body, and
refuses 70 be dragged into this decade.
In TIE meantime, this country Il
seems. IN common with others. IS going
70 keep on building battleships as big as
all outdoors and supporting an army
powerful enough 10 fight.