PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9123, 16 April 1908, Page 5

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.

RECOMMENDS A LARGER NAVY.

Press Association.—Copyright. New York, April 15. President Roosevelt’s message urging Congress to provide four battleships of the largest typo immediately remarks than China is an example of the “peace at any price’’ policy, while Britain’s naval policy ought to be emulated. The Hague Conference showed that the nations would not agree to limit their naval armaments. Arbitration was an ineffective remedy, though it ought to be utilised to the fullest extent. While disclaiming any intention to engage in a scheme of conquest, President Roosevelt states that America can ill afford to relapse into a position where an insult must be borne in silence. If she built only two battleships a year, America would go backward in naval rank and relative power among the great nations, which would be unwise if she fronted merely one ocean. It was doubly unwise when she fronted two. Neither arbitration nor any other device could prevent the'gravest and most terrible wrong to peoxales who lost the capacity of self defence. If America desired to avoid insult she must be able to repel it if desired, and in peace must at all times be ready for war.