Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-15
Rear Admiral, in Frank Statement
Before House Committee, De-
cIares Nation Is Unable to En-
force Its Policies at Present.
advocate of 48 Battleships Cites
Situation in Pacific as Showing
Pressing Need for Larger and
More Formidable Sea Force.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-The
House Naval Committee has made
public the testimony of Rear Admiral
Charles z. Vreeland, a member of the
general board of the navy, ranking
bext to Admiral Dewey, before that
committee which contains significant
references to Japan and American ma
val strategy in the Pacific.
Admiral Vreeland recommended the
construction of four dreadnoughts as
bart Of this years naval increase
program, and said the general board
urged the creation Of a fleet of as
battleships> by 1920.
The report Of the general board to
Eecretary Daniels on naval increase
his year stated the boards position
b these words:
The general board does not believe
me nation stands ready to abandon
br modify any of its well-established
national policies and repeats its po-
ation that the naval policy of the
country should be to possess a fleet
powerful enough to prevent or an
ever any challenge to these policies.
The absolute strength necessary to
accomplish this is a question that de-
ponds upon the national policies of
prospective challengers, and the force
they can bring against us, and hence
Is relative and varies with their ma
val policies and building programs.
Policies We Must Protect.
This statement was utilized by the
little navy" members of the Naval
Committee for a grilling interrogation
! pf Admiral Vreeland.
Does that state your views?" in
buried Representative Witherspoon,
bf Mississippi.
Yes, SIR" replied Admiral Vreeland.
THAT is straight"
What are the national policies we
should be able to resist or prevent
Any challenge OFF"
There is one for which we need a
very large navy-the Monroe Doc
srine," answered Admiral Vreeland.
What are the others?" inquired
representative Witherspoon.
Have we abandoned the open-door
b China?' flashed back Admiral
Vreeland.
No" said Mr.. Witherspoon. 81 am
trying to get at the policies. You
Say We should have a fleet powerful
enough to prevent or answer any
thallenge."
Excluding the Asiatics," replied
Admiral Vreeland, naming another
policy.
From Californian" inquired Mr..
Witherspoon.
From our country" said the ad-
hiraL They are three big PROPOSE
lions that require force to maintain
DO you know of any reasonable
apprehension that anybody is about
TO challenge the Monroe Doctrine, or
The open-door policy. or the exclu-
Sion of the Asiatics?"
The exclusion of the Asiatics has
been challenged" responded Admiral
IRELAND.
That is one reason why your be-
nef is that we should increase the
navy in order to prevent or answer
any challenge to our policies?"
Yes, SIR" said the admiral.
Vreeland Differentiates Japan.
What percentage of the navy of
England could be spared" asked Mr..
Williams, of Illinois, under ordinary
conditions and complications in'Eu-
rope, to be sent to America to at
tack us?"
1 do not think she could spare
hny-not without an understanding
with the other powers" replied Ad-
"lral Nreeland 81 should say that
also true of Germany at the pres
eht time. l should say it is true of
france, also"
rs it true of Japan" asked Mr..
Villains.
No, sir" was Admiral Vreeland' S