Of course our navy must be kept up to the highest point of efficiency, and the replacing of old and worthless vessels by first-class new ones may involve an increase in the personnel; but not enough to interfere with our action along the lines you have suggested.
But before I would know how to advocate such action, save in some such way as commending it to the attention of The Hague Tribunal, I would have to have a feasible and rational plan of action presented.
It seems to me that a general stop in the increase of the war navies of the world _might_ be a good thing; but I would not like to speak too positively offhand.

Of course it is only in continental Europe that the armies are too large; and before advocating action as regards them I should have to weigh matters carefully--including by the way such a matter as the Turkish army.

At any rate nothing useful can be done unless with the clear recognition that we object to putting peace second to righteousness.
Sincerely yours, THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
HON.

CARL SCHURZ, Bolton Landing, Lake George, N.Y.
In my own judgment the most important service that I rendered to peace was the voyage of the battle fleet round the world.

I had become convinced that for many reasons it was essential that we should have it clearly understood, by our own people especially, but also by other peoples, that the Pacific was as much our home waters as the Atlantic, and that our fleet could and would at will pass from one to the other of the two great oceans.