The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-04-18

! Boston. April IAN efficient feet Of
battle ships. both on the Pacific and
Atlantic oceans. was advocated by Sec
rotary Meyer. in q speech tonight, az
I the dinner OF the Boston Real Estate
( Exchange Secretary Meyer also declared
that strong navy should be regarded
7 as the cheapest and best insurance against
war. The Spanish war, he said. cost more
I than S5o0.9o0.O00. while eight battle ships
I Of the Oregon type. which. he implied.
might have averted the war. would have
I cost less than 100000.
Secretary Meyer said:
II this dinner had beer set FOR next
I Monday. instead Of for to-day. we should
now be having the opportunity 10 cele-
I brate one OF the days that IS the great
est for Massachusetts, and. through
I Massachusetts,. for the rest Of the United
States-the anniversary Of the battles OF
/ Lexington and Concord. when the en-
battied farmer stood and fred the shot
heard round the world
But this is not the anniversary OF that
day, nor am 7. the Secretary OF Wa 70
enlarge upon land engagements. As a
T
and sharer in the pride OF its traditions.
may be pardoned for recalling these
I first clashes Of the Revolution.
Lexington and Concord are names
famous IN war. bat now. with the bless
ings OF peace. they have grown and
thriYen; yet always. back OF their. quiet
beauty. there lies the thought OF that
bioOdshed which made their development
possible. To-day is the era Of peace
Peace societies. international tribunals.
and the numerous conferences that have
been held during the past few years all
emphasize this fact, and I an one OF
those VINO fully appreciate the value %
+ these organizations and assemblies
Always Be Prepared.
Yet, It is important that we should
.-s, fa-get that. while these peace soci-
cites are a power. their chief value Is
as a formative influence. 70 stimulate
sentiment and crystauizs public opinlo,
( against the horrors OF war. The really
+ effective and honorable method of avoid
/ ing war is 10 be prepared for war BY he
1 possession Of an efficient, up-to-Czte and
. thoroughly equipped feet OF battle ships
both on the Atlantic and the Pacific
oceans
Our officers and men demonstrated
Jheir efficiency and the battle ships their
seaworthiness when they made the circle
. OF the globe without an accident. and On
a schedule Of tine which has undoubt-
. eddy excite the envy OF every general
manager o. our JranscontinentaI rail
roads. Thac feet. which has worked 81
Wen as a unit should not be divided
between the Atlantic and the Pacific
but our naval armament should be Sc
Z provided for that. eventually. we shan
+ have a force Of battle ships in each ocean
/ equivalent % that which We now have
. IN The Atlantic
Pennies TO Save Dollars,
The cause OF peace would have been
advanced eleven years ago = this nation
+ had possessed eight additional bas,-s
ships Of the Oregon OF Iowa class. al
/ cost then OF under 100000 The amount
I Appropriated by Congress az the begin
ming Of the way for national defense was
S5oCooCo. This vas instantly expended
I in the purchase OF yachts. coasters. trans
7 Atlantic steamers. reserve ammunition.
T &C The total expenditures due % the
wa wiki spain amounted TO S5E.sI0 se5.lS.
f This sum was expended as follows.
Navy DEPARTMENT ..--------. III as5 ~ &
Plidlri-cs. 80 20 ls5--.-........ lss s5 81, =