The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-10-22

1912 and 1913 for twenty-three battle
and scout cruisers, Germany nine and
France six. The United States planned
none at all.
Under Republican Rule.
The naval general board in 1903 laid
down tho policy Of building two bat
tleShips year. Under Republican
administration there has been a steady
addition TO the American navy ever
since the lessons Of the Spanish war
and the new duties It entailed. In all
there had been ten battleships built
and fourteen authorized. The 1903
appropriation was for FIVE. But In
1904 the penury Of Congress and OPP
position TO the preparedness views
Of President Roosevelt forced a rcduc-
ton to one battloship, although lie did
succeed in getting two armored cruis-
ers in addition.
In 1905 he obtained two battleships
In 1906 one was authorized, ana in
1907 one, the latter with the approval
OF Mr.. Roosevelt He was at the time
expecting to see The Hague confer
ence effect limitation OF ornaments,
and in the period when 1t looked as
If an appropriation for a large NUM-
Der OF heavy ships Inight be wasted he
was unwilling To recommend great
outlay. Instead he asked for the de-
yolopment of smaller units to increase
the efficiency Of the whole.
Pushed by Roosevelt.
In 1907 II became apparent that
The Hague conference would not sue
coed in limiting ornaments. and the
,ttkfp HaI a cd
tentatively in 1906 had. with changed
conditions. become out OF the ques-
ton. President Roosevelt sent mes
sage to Congress calling attention TO
the new needs and demanding no few
er than four first class battleshlps.
In this he was backed by the general
board. which for the first time recon-
mended doubling the two q year pro-
gram The president and the general
board also sought four scout cruisers,
which would have given the navy a
start at the important branch which is
now so vitality needed. Similar recon-
mendations were advanced a year lat
er.
The little navy crowd in Congress.
however. would not cnsent. and the
best Mr. Roosevelt could do was 10
force permanent policy OF two arst
class battleships year. This pro-
gram he pushed through Congress in
1908 and 1909. His successor, Presi-
dent Taft, with 2 Republican congress,
gave the country two more battle
ships in 1910 and two more in 1911.
The country was apparently assured
two a year. American navy power
was second only TO Britain's.
Beginning Of Decline.
And them came the Democratic
House. The new naval affairs COM
mittee reported in favor Of small craft
only-two fuel ships and tender, six
destrOyers, and four submarines. |
There was no proposal for even sin |
gle battleship, single battle cruiser, |
n single scout cruiser or single ar
mOred cruiser. Not a capital ship was
asked.
A Democratic CAUCUS had decided |
against any battleships. II was the |
first time in the history Of the Ameri-
cany navy that national defense had |
been subjected to the control Of par.
tisan caucus.
The Senate. still Republican, reject
ed the House measure, demanding |
two battleships The bill went to |
and a small number of
Democrats, with clearer understand
ing of the country's first line Of de- |
tense, announced they would no long |
err be bound by party caucus. Rather
than suffer loss Of power the Demo-
Gratis OF the House held Il new eau
rus and passed a new resolution mod
al IL