"RESPONDS TO NY TIMES SAYING U.S. IN LAST PLACE"

U.S. NAVY BEHIND BRITAIN IN SHIP STRENGTH SAYS ROOSEVELT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 11, 1924, The Sunday Star states that Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt has admitted the United States Navy is in second place in ship strength behind Great Britain.

The admission came in a report to the Naval Affairs Committee requested by chairman Thomas S. Butler* to respond to a New York Times article which asserts the American Navy is "in last position" behind Great Britain and Japan.

The U.S. Navy has fallen below an equal ratio strength with Great Britain as required by the 5-5-3 formula adopted by the naval limitation treaty**.

*Thomas Stalker Butler (1855-1928) was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, admitted to the bar in 1877 & served in US House of Representatives 1897-1928.  TSB was chair of the committee on Pacific Railroads & the Naval Affairs Committee.

**Five Power Naval Limitation Treaty halted the WWI race of building warships by setting the limits of battleships to 525,000 tons each for U.S. & Great Britain & 315,000 tons for Japan.

SOURCE

"Navy Falls Behind Roosevelt Admits," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., May 11, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

Unidentified Marine Lt.,Thomas Butler & Admiral Henry T. Mayo         US Navy Historical Center (1919)

 

"THE NEXT WAR WILL BE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE"

PERSHING SAYS U.S. SHOULD NOT BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 2, 1921, John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army overseas, testified before the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives.

In response to questioning by Chairman Thomas S. Butler*, the General said...

"The next war will be the most destructive of human life and property.  The safe policy for the United States is to continue our (military) programs and not allow ourselves to be caught unprepared, as we were at the beginning of the (1st) world war."

The General also offered the opinion that airplanes would play a more important role in the next war.

*Thomas S. Butler (1855-1928) was born in Pennsylvania.  TSB was admitted to the bar in 1877 & served as a district judge before being elected to the US House of Representatives.  TSB was a congressman from 1897 to 1928 & was chairman of the Committee on Public Railroads & the Naval Affairs Committee.

SOURCE

"Pershing Says Next War Sure To Top Record," The Washington Herald, February 3, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

 

 Congressman Thomas S. Butler

(R-Pennsylvania)

Harris & Ewing Collection (1913)

Library of Congress Image

 

"THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DESTROY THE NAVY"

HARDING PLEDGES TO SUPPORT STRONG NAVY

Marion, Ohio (JFK+50) On January 8, 1921, Representative Thomas S. Butler, chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, met with President-elect Warren G. Harding here in Marion.

The chairman was assured by the President-elect that "plans for the completion of the 1916 navy ship-building program" would be supported by the incoming Harding administration.

Representative Butler said...

"They are not going to destroy the navy."

*Thomas Stalker Butler (1855-1928) was born in Pennsylvania & admitted to the bar in 1877.  He served as a judge  in 1888 before serving in the US House of Representatives 1897-1928.  TSB was chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads & the Naval Affairs Committee.

SOURCE

"Harding Said To Stand For Strong Navy," The New York Tribune, January 9, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Thomas S. Butler

Aug 29 1913

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress Image