French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-04-06
WANTS EIGHT SHIPS THIS YEAR.
Recommendations Of Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt of the Navy.

Washington, March 29.-Appropria-
zion by Congress for eight new capital
Ships this year, double the number in
the administration by Assistant Sec
rotary Roosevelt today in concluding
his testimony before the House Navy
Committee.
Mr.. Roosevelt explained that the
recommendation for eight ships i'm
mediately represented his personal
views and not those of the Depart
ment.
Il believe the Government and pr
vate yards could take care of eight
capital ships this year." he said. st
personally think it would mean a
great stop, for the moral effect upon
the country and also u international
relations. If Germany should continue
to build at her present rate Of three
ships a year our program of three and
one-ffth ships in five years would not.
quite catch UP, but would mean a gain
We would probably pass France with
which we are now neck and neck"
- opOA . AofJ u L
Roosevelt said both Japan and Ger
many were, reported to have secret
building funds and programs. Asked
how much. stronger the American navy
Vas than the Japanese, the witness
replied:
That depends on the scene of oper-
atoms. If the fleets were kept apart
we are about three TO two. II the o
nrcfia1C yunTn in Tononnca uyo+orc NY
are about equal. Japan would proba-
bly, be superior in extreme Western
waters. If they attempted to come
over here the conditions would be re-
versed."
Emphasizing need for battle cruisers
the Assistant Secretary said dread
naughts had won the principal victory
IN europe without firing a shot by
keeping the seas clear of the enemy's
feet. He expressed belief that there
was a possibility of the United States
being involved in war even after d
European peace, and declared that the
nation Was richer and weaker than
ever in history" with great potential
resources, but unprepared to withstand
an immediate martial shock.
Mr.. Roosevelt pictured the disaster
that would probably result if this
country became involved in war with
a nation having a fleet twice the size
OF ours, He said the United States
heet would be wiped out, the Panama
Canal and United States possessions
lost and the Nation bottled up and
open to invasion.
In reply to a suggestion that Eu-
rcpean belIigerents will be exhausted
at the close of the wal and be little
Inclined to continue arming. Mr..
Roosevelt said:
1T is entirely problematical. But
Judging by history, the best guess is
that they will continue. We cannot
tell yet if the war is going to result
in a draw with everybody, weak.
down and out. If a victory for either
Side results history shows the victor
will have enormous resources. If
there is a victorious side there is a
probability or a possibility that we
night get mixed up with the victorious
side. Today we have great potential
resources, but nothing to Withstand an
immediate shock"
Tbs Assistant Secretary said the
Department has official knowledge that
England has increased her naval tom
mage 1,000,O 900 tons since the val be-
gan. He said England would hesitate
long before sending her fleet against
Germany's fortified base at Heligo~
land, but that IL the German napy
We're to g the English navy alone
on the high seas it would be destroyed
undoubtedly.