The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-29
SAYS JAPAN COULD
TAKE PHILIPPINES
Rear Admiral Vreeland Tells
House Committee Alaska Is
Also In Peril.
URGES STRONGER FLEET
Preparations for a Conflict
Started without Notice Must
Be Made, He Insists.
URGES STRONGER FLEET

WARRINGTON, Jan. s6.-Near AuTliTai Os
r. vreeland Of the General Board Of the
navy startled members Of the House Com
mittee on Naval Affairs to-day when he
declared that In case OF hOstilities with
Japan 1t would be comparatively easy for
the Far Eastern Power to take the Philip
pines and possibly land It's troops In the
territories Of Hawaii and Alaska.
Rear Admiral vreeland, who Ia one Of
the strate Ktsts OF the Navy Department,
made II plain that In his opinion Japan
would be able to make great progress In
the early stages OF conflict with the
United States, but that ultimately this
country would win through Its superior
financial resources.
Coming on the heels Of reports that the
Administ ration is seriously concerned over
the apparent friendliness of Japan to the
Huerta Government In Mexico the testi-
mony OF Rear Admiral Vreeland was re-
ceived by House members with intense
interest.
Rear Admiral vreeland was heard by
the House committee In executive session
and at the conclusion OF the proceedings
the members refused to comment on the
views Of the naval officer. Parts OF the
testimony of Rear Admiral Vreeland be-
came pLJlic. however. and It is known
on those present
Buchanan Accuses Navy League.
The proceedings were marked by at least
one sensational incident. Representative
Buchanan of Illinois. who has persistently
opposed naval extensions, said that the
Steel Corporation and other companies en-
gagged in building ornaments were inter-
ested In circulating war reports for busi-
ness reasons only. He charged that the
Navy I.cagu" and other semi patriotic or
ganizations were likewise guilty Of put
ting into circulation reports foreshadow-
ing war with Japan and other Powers.
MIR. Buchanan asked Rear Admiral Vree-
land II he were identified with the Navy
League. The navy officer denied that he
was Il member OF that organization.
Rear Admiral Vreeland appeared as a
substitute before the committee for Ad-
miral Dewey. who was unable TO be
present because Of illness. He empha-
sized the necessity for n stronger fleet.
declaring that the naval establishment in
preparing strategic plans for the Pacific
was proceeding on the theory that Japan
In the event of trouble would occupy the
Philippines and possibly land forces in
Hawaii and Alaska
All preparations. ne asserted, would
have TO be based on the theory that
Japan would strike without notice. Japan.
according to Admiral Nreeland. has vastly
Increased its appropriations for arma-
nent. He added that only one conclu-
sion could be drawn from this action.
Condition Of Navy Outlined.
Rear Admiral Vreeland went into a
general discussion OF the condition OF the
navy. He said that II the United States
halted its building programme, the Ameri-
| can navy would soon fall behind that OF
Japan In strength. II is understood that
, the witness outlined at som. length Just
how this country would attempt 10 check
! mate Japan in the Pacific In case Of
trouble. ON this feature Of the Vreelano
| testimony members OF the committee re-
fused TO make any comment. although
| Il is understood that Rear Admiral Vree'
, land made no disclosures that would h
J OF value to any foreign power, even II
given to the public.
There is reason to believe that Real
Admiral Freeland's testimony will check
any effort that may be made by small
! navy men to keep down naval expendi
| lures
! Members who are in favor Of u small
navy Insist that the Vreeland recital IL
merely a part Of the annual war scar,
to which prominence is given coincid~n
with the preparation OF the naval appro
priatlon bill, However. II Is pointed GU
| that Rear Admiral Nreeland. who Is
member of the general board of tho navy
| appeared before the committee by inyi
| tation.
| Little OF the testimony given by Raa
| Admiral Vreeland WAS taken down stsno
graphically. The discussion In COMMITTEES
1 was OF an informal character and mem
| bers deprecate the fact that any of Il be
came public.
| Josephus Daniels, Secretary Of the Navy
will appear before the House Commute.
/ tomorrow.