Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-23

| never IultH dCSepttu INC say ms %AoH
the way to prevent war was TO he
prepared to fight, although it was as
much a mistake ne to have a strong
n4vy. He said he believed in COncen-
trating every dollar Of money for con-
struction in the fighting ships. The
auxiliaries could be commanded at
any time.
Have Powerful Navy.
Interrogated by congressman on the
committee, he admitted that TO build
a navy against England, a two battle
ship program would be insufficient. but
said: We are not building against
any nation or against anybody. but
simply against any untOward Contin-
gency."
The secretary said he favored, as
general policy. the retiring OF ships
after they were - years old.
he was asked.
! Yes. we have, but you never will
keep anything powerful If you stand
still He added that he would prefer
20 dreadnoughts to 40 predread-
nc lights.
Talks on Basis Of War.
If war were to be declared. how
ever. by any power on earth YOU
wouldn't stop to consider what the
governments revenues were for naval
expenditures? suggested Representa-
tive Roberts.
mo, would not he replied.
Representative Hobson asked II
there was any power on earth that
has not both by theory and in some
cases bitter experience been brought
to the establishment of council en-
bracing both the executive and legis-
lative brancehs of the government"
They are differently organized" re-
piled Secretary Daniels. I'm England,
for instance, there is an admiralty
with powers that we would not toler-
ate in this country, including the pow
er to make with other nations arrange
ments that do not become known until
war comes"
Denies Navy Is inferior.
rs it a fact" asked Mr.. Roberts,
that we are in a position OF inferi-
GRITTY with respect to the navies of
other nations -
Not as to our ships, as to our men,
nor anything in the navy" he replied
We have fewer ships than England
or Germany, but / would not call that
inferiority."
The secretary added the general
board had a settled recommendation
or adviee-he would not call it pol.
icy-'as to four battle ships" and he
added that the department has set
tied policy which is for two battle
ships, as the best building program for
the country under all the circum.
stances" ....
Il would not change my recemmen'
dation as to two dreadnoughts at this
session of Congress, regardless what
the eountry's revenues may be. That's
all that should be authorized now"
For Universal Disarmament. .... i
Universal disarmament Mr.. Daniels
considered practical, but only by inter.
r national agreement. II. .ss.. .--
. In my. lastsfeport.'s he said, F ex.
81 pressed the hope that the day would
ii come when this feyerish haste and
competition In costly engines of de,
4 struction ould stop, and that If this
I rivalry goes on the burden will be.
4 come too heavy for any nation to
II bear"
II "Woaldnt we be in better position
!. to propose disarmament. IL we were to
stop heavy building programs?" asked
<, Representative Butler. 49,.
Il '.No," replied the secretary '4t
y would be unwise for us to act today
] in any particular as we would not have
4 ! acted il there had been no war In
Europe. After the European war is
i over we will learn q, great many les
i sons. 1t would be great mistake II
i we were now to say that because We
!. hope for universal disarmament we
4 should stop now We would be in q
/ much better position If we continued
r construction than If we were to quit
now. :-. ...- .---..... +.
= Talks Of European War
/ I'VE are doing all the American PEG
pie desire us to do and we are in q
al strong position. I think the war in
q Europe will exhaust tie resources oil
the countries engaged and that there is
5 less likelihood of our having any trou
q BILE at any time in the future with
q those nations tnan there was before
al You are not going to have perfect
war defense under our American pol
ICY. We do not wish, nor would the
people have, a great standing army OF
military or naval strength that would
3impoyerish the country. We should
/ not go in competition with nations that
are military nations.
Cites the Case Of Canada.
Canada was referred to by Secretary
Daniels as a purely theoretical case
IF Canada" ne said, were an indie
pendent country an the United States
wished war with her. and all our neigh
bors were as they are in Europe we
would have to adopt a military policy
and might have to maintain a bic
standing army and navy. But with
our conditions, policies and American
ide"s, as they are, think the naval
policy recommended, and Congress
adopted, at the last session of Con
gress: ought to go on steadily each
year"