The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-31
HOLDU.S s. FLEET TO
UTMOST STRENGTH,
WARNS RODMAN
Pacific Naval Bases and More
Vessels Urged by Admiral to
Meet Japanese Menace.
BY CHARLES E. HUGHES.
Interua tionaI News Service.


International News Service.
LOS ANGELES. May s1.--with his
Ieave-taking from the Pacific feet,
whose upbuildins he has directed for
commander-in-chief. Admiral Hugh
Rodman, distinguished for forty-six
years service with the American
Navy. paid splendid tribute TO the
efficiency of Americas sea lighters
and made plea for the united sup
port of the nation In the. navyis pro-
gram for adequate facilities on the
west coast.
He warned that Japan is energetic
and aggressive and IL providing q
pretentious naval program to take
care of it's commerce.
He also warned that unless Amer
lea properly eQuips its Pacific feet
with adequate bases, SO that Amer
lean commerce can be safeguarded.
it's warships will deteriorate and the
prestige OF tho United States be al
lowed to suffer.
Admiral Rodman. who has had
more active sea duty than any other
officer In the American navy, will
get at least a brief respite from SER
vice sfioat. He will proceed i'm
a short time he will serve with the
Navy Selection Board. which recon-
mends advancement for officers. On
completion of this work he expects to
be assigned to duties that will keep
him in the East.
IT'S NAVAL CRAFT IN PACIFIC.
The veteran, who was one of
Dewcy's commanders when the Span
ish fleet was overwhelmed in one of
the worlds most effective sea, battles
at Manila Bay In 1898, and who was
knighted by King George for his con-
spicuous service with the British
grand feet as commander of the
American unit in the World war, ex-
pressed keen regret that he was ieav-
ing the Pacific Coast.
81 wish Americans In every part of
the country could realize what an i'm
portant part the West coast now
plays in our national life" said the
admiral to the International News
Service. Then they could form some
estimate of the tremendous role II
will play in the next century, when
our Pacific commerce Is developed on
the scale of magniflcence 1t Is sure
TO attain"
At the present time there are more
than 175 lighting vessels of all types
in the Pacific fleet, with the pros
pect, the admiral pointed out. that
this number will be swelled IL the
navy is to keep abreast of the grow
ing United States mercantile marine
centered in the Pacific trade.
81 have no knowledge that the
Pacific fleet Is to be augmented In
the near future, but IL Washington is
going to enlarge II or maintain II at
it's present standard of efficiency,
wi To he yry,n r.
ing and repairing facilities. While
we have no enemies in the Pacific, we
do expect to have a larger commerce
in this ocean. which means proper
naval protection is necessary.
Japan, which feels II must have a
larger mercantile marine to support
it's national growth, has provided
larger navy to keep pace with its
ships of trade. We should have at
least as much protection for our ships
of trade as Japan Is providing for
those under its flag"
PREFER NEW BASE.
Admiral Rodman explained that the
Navy Department has found San
Diego to be we'll suited for a destroy
err and aircraft base; that Los Angeles
harbor Is ideal for a submarine base
and that II 10 necessary to have
main base on San Francisco Bay. He
stated that naval piricers agreed that
Mare Island is inadequate as a base for
great capital ships, and that Ala
media has been selected as an ideal
point.
The admiral explained that II is
necessary to expand the efficient
base at Bremerton. Wash, but the
navy must have at least one other
base on San Francisco Bay" He said
that IL II came to a decision as to the
necessity for building the new San
Francisco Bay base, as opposed to
constructing one or two new capital
ships, he would recommend the new
base. 4s
Through tho International News
Service the admiral sent the follow
Ing message to American men and
women:
"If the people in Kansas, in Ohio,
in New York. in Maine, or in Florida
only REALIZED that II is just as much
their interest from a standpoint Of
national welfare to have adequate IA
cilities for our great fleet on the Pa
cifio as II Is for the people of Cali
fornia. or Oregon. or Washington they
would get behind the Navy Depart
nent through their Congressman and
Senators and boost for the indorse-
ment of the present Pacific coast ma
val Improvement program"
Spanish General Killed.