The Washington times., 1911-01-23
CLAIMS UNCLE SAM
NOT READY FOR WAR
Delegate to Marine Congress
Believes Japan Has Big
Advantage.

| With comparative statement show
| ing that in case of war with Japan the
United States would be practically pow
erless to prevent the capture of the
north Pacific coast, Representative w
E Humphrey of the State of Washin
ton this morning told the delegates to
the National Merchant Marine Congress
that it was absurd for this country Ia
assume the attitude that Japan would
no dare fight us because of our superior
wealth.
Representative Humphrey advocat'
subsidizing a marine service, so that in
time of war the merchant vessels could
be used as transports and to assist the
battleships.
I'VE are committing d criminal folly
he declared emphatically, by spending
sl3O, 100000 annually for protection in
time of peace, when cur hattleships in
case Of war would be practically help
less without colliers and Transports
Mr.. Humphrey read A letter. written
by the Secretary of the Navy, which
declared It would have been impossible
for the American fleet to make its ia
nous round-the-world cruise had it not
been for the carrying of coal and pro-
Visions in foreign bottoms.
Although Mr.. Humphrey said he did
not anticipate war with Japan, he de-
clared. Anyone who thinks that pug
nacious. patriotic little nation would
not fight US because of our supremacy
in wealth and size. has read the history
of nations with little profit. 1t is the
poor and not the rich who fight. We
were very much nearer war with Japan
over that San Francisco incident than
most people realize"
Prepared for Conflict.
Great interest was manifested as
Representative Humphrey compared
Japan's preparedness for war with that
of the United States.
In advocating a ship subsidy, Repre-
sentative Humphrey said that the very
magazines which are most earnestly
fighting its establishment are profting
on Il $Gj, 100000 year subsidy. He re-
ferred to the cheap postal rates they
receive.
Mr.. Humphreys address followed tina,
made by John Kirby, Jr., president of
the National Manufacturers AsSocia-
tiOn, who called the marine congress
to order in the Willard Hotel at 49,.
o'clock this morning.
Lobby Causes Surprise.
The declaration of Mr.. Kirby that 4
foreign lobby has been established In
w dSlIlIlS lOll lOI lllc puIpOSt Ol Check
ing legislation, which will give this
country merchant marine caused no
little surprise.
The S1O,0OO,OOO association of which MIR.
Kirby is president authorized him to
convey the message, so he stated, that
in the future its members would exert
every honorable means to secure legis-
latiOn that would result in the estab-
liShment Of a merchant marine.
In the absence of MyrOn T. Herrick.
former governor of Chic, who was to
have presided, Mr.. Kirby was elected
permanent chairman.
The address of Congressman R. p.
while 1T did not agree with
the views of Representative Hum
phrey concerning the manner in which
the marine should be established. did
claim that merchant marine is an
absolute necessity.
Representative William S. Greene
gave statistics to show the falling off i
in American ship transportation and
the increase made by other countries.
Upon the conclusion OF his address,
the congress adjourned for the day.
This afternoon the delegates were re-
ceived by Speaker Joseph G. Cannon
ar the CaDitOl