New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-03
BIGGER NAVY
IS TAFT'S PLEA
T'FRISCO FAIR
Urges Preparedness for
War and COmmendS
Wilson Stand.

San Francisco, Sept. 2.-Willlsm II.
Taft advocated preparedness for war,
illustrated it's necessity and detailed
the means to that end in an address at
the Panama Pacific Exposition, deliv-
cred at the Taft Day exercises to-day.
"Germany's acquiescence to the
American contention for the rights OF
non com batant citizens on commercial
liners Of belligerents should be the
cause of profound rejoicing by every
patriotic American and the occasion for
congrntulation to the President" said
Mr. Taft.
at must relieve the strain between
the two countries. The shadow OF
serious breach passes.
at should not, however, lead our peo-
ple away from their duty of reasonable
preparation. The incident, though
closed, as we all hope, except as to IN
demnity for the lives of those already
drowned, shows how near, as neutrals,
we are to the war. II shows that we
must be careful to insist upon our
rights as such and that we ought TO be
reasonably prepared to defend against
their invasion by any belligerent
powers"
Increase Navy by 80 Per Cent.
After outlining the naval and mill
tary preparations he considered neees-
sary, Mr.. Taft e-timated what they
A. kD.u
might be raised and made pleas for the
exclusion of politics from the question
of preparedness and for the employ
ment of expert advice.
In summing up what he regarded as
necessary preparations, Mr.. Taft said:
First, an increase Of our navy ton
mage as rapidly AS possible by 80 per
cent, and an immediate increase OF the
personnel of the navy by nearly ZOOOo
sailors and 900 officers.
Second, an increase in ammunition
for our great coast defence guns, the
making OF a few sixteen-inch guns and
the completion of the defence Of Chesa-
peake al Cape Henry. In addition, an
increase of 10000 trained coast artll-
lerymen and coo officers TO nan the
coast defences properly.
Third, an increase in our regular
mobile arm. II fi,ty thousand troops
al q adrl plin of the -upply OF e.,
uclted military icers. We should
also adopt a r-duceG term OF enlist
ment, with in cement 70 the forIla-
tion Of rese We II .rained mem"
Would Cost s450.O0o, 900.
The ex-President then pointed out,
h wever, that the Treasury of the
United Stot.s is not in q condition to
wa rrant such expenditures.
THE pre- gramme 1 have proposed"
Mr.. Taft s i'll, modest as il is, VII
certainly increase the annual total OF
the rmy and navy appropriations by
rerhaps 900, 30 for each Of three
years, an. probably more"
This leaves 1926, 100000 at least Of
necessary income 70 be provided for
by new legislation Of Congress over
and above what existing law would
probably produce. This could be partly
made up by the renewal OF the war
tax and Of he sugar tax, yielding, say,
100000 TIe.e would be left from
$3.50. 600, 600 70 5000 .000,000 OF deficit
still to be provided for either by cut
ting down expenses or by additional
taxation"
Raise uch by Taxation.
Mr.. Taft suggested that expenses
could be cut dow. by giving authority
and responsibility 70 one body OF men
to consider the whole field OF govern
ment income and expenditure.
A large sum, Mr.. Taft said, would
have 20 be raised by taxation. As a
Republican. he believed that high
pr tective tariff ould serve most sat
isfaetoril., but he would not urge It,
because:
II am trying 20 make practical sug-
gestions and not partisan speech.
and ! am looking 10 what may reason
ably be demanded OF a patriotic Dem
ocratic Congress in view OF the pres
ent imperative need OF increasing our
national income and their anti-pro-
lection views.
The imposition OF small tax on
small incomes asks a sacrifice from our
patriotic citizens that they Sill be
Coatiaued on page Q. eeiumn .