The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-12-23
GRAY DISAPPR0VES
CHIFFON -SH0uLDER
POLICIES FOR j, s,
Small-Navy Man Believes in
Adequate Defense But
Frowns on Trouble-Seek-
ing Parade of Arms.
TBY LEASED WJRE.1

WASHINGTON. Dec. 3.-Uncle Sam
has no business to strut around with
a chip on his shoulder, in the opinion
Of Representative Finly II. Gray, Of
Connersville, the Indiana member on
the committee on naval affairs. And
If Mr.. Gray and those so-called small
navy men" in the congress have their
way. Uncle Sam will do no such thing.
now or hereafter.
Mr. Gray believes in adequate ma
tional defense. He does not believe,
however, that the federal government
should arm itself to the teeth and then
go parading around looking for
trouble 1t developed today that his
views are shared by every member Of
the Indiana delegation, most of whom
decried in no uncertain terms the
lingo speech delivered in the house
last week by Representative Gardner
of Massachusetts.
Points to European War.
by reason of the events Of the
European war, | am more convinced
than ever before that rivalry among
the nations in navy building, resulting
in excessive armament and Overprc-
paredness. instead of being an insur-
anCe of peace, as has been asserted,
has the effect of precipitating war and
bringing on international conficts,'
said MIR Gray, today. Such rival
nations have been the first to be in
vOlved in war, and by their declara-
tons will be the last to agree to
peace.
Il sincerely believe that the true
policy of this nation is that of defense
Instead of the so-called 'world-power'
,>tl -,
international disputes and wars
abroad.
Il propose to continue to oppose eX-
travagant and useless expenditures in
our naval affairs. | will continue to
oppose the plucking board system,
under which efficient naval officers in
the prime of life are placed on the re-
tired list on high pay to make room
FOR officers seeking promotions. | in
tend to continue to advocate economy
and the government manufacture Of
of armor plate so long as we must
maintain a navy. My plan is to advo-
cate a navy for defense only, and |
Sh"l: resist any attempt to parade our
H0t'lCShipS in foreign waters as a
'I0unting challenge to other nations.
Favors Peace Plan.
4 will continue to advocate arbitra-
~ ard international agreement in
~c''iCment OF disputes between
instead of by war and blood
;. AID to give my support to the
= peace treaties soon to be in
between the United States and
"0.miIable powers of the world.
IL continue my efforts to hasten
lay when courts and tribunals and
.;cd means and methods will take
place of barbarOuS, cruel and de-
3ting warfare in the settlement Of
t.Itrs noes between nations as we'll as
Dpt", cen men.
in my opinion, a wise. cautious and
OuSilpratc course to preserve peace
and avert war is even Of greater I'M
pOrtance to the welfare of this nation
than the ability to wage war and to
restore peace. The strategy incident
to maintaining peace is greater than
the strategy of Waging war. The first,
greatest and highest duty devolvlng
on the people of this nation today is
to preserve our neutrality and avoid
entaugIemcntS in foreign affairs and
TO hold our country free from any par
ticiDatiOn in the war now raging
abroad.