Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed sacrificing 6 cruisers and 2 carriers at Manila to get into war. Navy Chief Stark objected:
“I have previously opposed this and you have concurred as to its unwisdom. Particularly do I recall your remark in a previous conference when Mr. Hull suggested (more forces to Manila) and the question arose as to getting them out and your 100% reply, from my standpoint, was that you might not mind losing one or two cruisers, but that you did not want to take a chance on losing 5 or 6.”
(Charles Beard PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND THE COMING OF WAR 1941, p 424)
