The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-08-05
DECLARE FORMER CONGRESS
MAN RICHMOND y.
HOBsoN.
~Hsro of Msrrinse" Spent Yesterday
In wheeilna-ssys Wilson 10
Making Political Play.

'Tnconsistsnt" and Blur" are the
two words with which Hon. Richmond
r. Hobson. for many years an ardent
advocate Of a greater army and navy.
summed up his opinion OF President
Wilson's present armament increase
plans. In an Interview with the In
telliEeneer. Democratic ex-Congr~ss-
Hobaon. who addressed the Lincoln
Chautauqua at Moundsville last even
ing. expressed his hope that the Pres
ident had at last seen the light: out
NJ the same time he criticised Tie
Presidents motive.
"All this talk OF bigger armies and
navies coming from the President and
the Secretary OF the Navy IL pretty
much bluff." declared Mr.. Hobson.
Wilson f. a politician and he IL talk
Ing armament plans 10 satisfy q
strong public opinion
In detail. Mr.. Hobson explained the
grounds for his opinion. Earlier IN
Wilson's term Mr.. Hobson introduced
a bill containing comprehensive plans
for increasing the navy. The bill was
fsvorably reported by the navy com
mittee. but both Mr.. Bryan and Presi-
dent Wilson opposed II successfully.
IF that bin were now In operation. .
said Mr.. Hobson. there would be no
fears at the present crisis"
Failed TO Provide.
Now the war and public opinion
compel the President 90 consider ma
tional defense. Mr.. wilson" declared
Mr.. Hobson. Us TO be criticised Tor
falling to provide for such a crisis IN
- Il
been afraid to step IN advance Of puD-
lie opinion to safeguard the nation.
In his armament plans the President
makes himself a follower and not q
leader
The need OF large navies on the
Atlantic and Pacific is now evident 10
all. according TO Mr.. Hobson. As 10
the army the ex-congressman ex-
pressed his belief that Il was in need
OF only a small Increase. Speaking
OF the suggestion that the army be
increased 10 1000. Mr.. Hobson said :
II would be absolutely impossible
90 recruit and handle a standing army
OF that size in this country: and then
an army OF that size Is not necessary. %
Efficient Army Needed.
Instead OF a greater army Mr.. Hob
son urges q more efficinet one-an
army concentrated at defensive points
and not spread ont in the Rocky noun
tains.
1T Is to be hoped" he expressed
fervently. that the President will
make a good follower. and will go
ahead with his plans" In the same
breath. however. Mr.. Hobson declared
his belief that. SHOULD favorable
change come in the European war. the
President would drop his armament
Increase plans like a hot iron.
When asked whether Col. Roosevelt
was consistent in his present advo-
cacy OF navy increase. Mr.. Hobson
said:
"Mr. Roosevelt Is consistent when
he urges a greater navy. At the time
he was President he tried 10 get tour
battleships a year. Congress gave
him one some years and none others. J."
My opinion Is" he continued. that
Wilson is simply entering the increase
armament field because Roosevelt Is
heading the campaign now"
ohio TO Go Dry.
Mr.. Hobson. who was registered at
the Windsor Hotel. had JUST arrived
from GAINESVILLE. where he delivered
one OF his famous temperance lectures.