Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-04-01
NATIONAL

A;uung the questions which demand
immediate solution by the National Legs
Iaturc, none il more pressing than the
question Of National defense. The United
States il the richest ration Of the earth,
and set today II ia iusult.d with IMMUNITY
by a tenth rate barbarous power. The
policy which h8s made the American navy
til, laughing stock OF every P'incipalrty
which BOASTS . well equipped gunhoat has
laid the American coast open to attack by
ans toe that may come gainst rs. Thecluts
Of the Atlantic saaboard represent more
than ono-tenth Of tEc wealth Of the land,
and yet there Is not q single fortress OF
modern design or a single piece Of ord
nance cansbla OF doing execution 20 protect
them from the assaults of any enemy how
ever insignificant. We stand in the posi-
ton OF the rich miser who opens his home
and laws his treasures before the world,
that any marauder may come and take.
In q recent article ADMIRAL PORTER
makes some thoughtful suggestions "a to
the imperative need Of improved means OF
coast defense at least. The Admiral
writes with the earnestneSs of conviction.
He shows that the country would be COM
paratively weaker to-day if it were COM
PEELED to enter a great conflict than at any
previous time in its history. In the war
of 1912 the American navy vas not only
able to keep the enemy from ~dispoihng
the rich sea board cities, but made q brill
liant record on the high seas.
Since the close of the civil war new and
Improved methods OF assault and defense
have been introduced. Immense strides
have been taken in the art Of war. Mill
iary and naval science has made rapid ad-
yancement. Instead of making like pro-
gress the United States has gone backward.
The navy isa rotten collection OF hulEs,
and our sea board iortrcsses are crumbliDg
10 pieces.
IL has been 3 common argument that
our isolation protects us from attack. In
answer to this Admiral PORTER refers to
the vast territory Of British Amer
icl on our north, covering an area almost
equal in extent to the United States. Its
eastern coast bristles with the most APP
proved appliances Of defense. Immense
fortreSses armed with heavy ordnance
guard the harbOrs and shut out q hostile
fleet. The Pacific coast is protected as
completely.
On the south the sources Of danger are
even more threatening. The British pos
sessions in the West Indies afford number
less safe aud cOmmOdiOus harbors, from
which an English hSet would be within
easy striking distance of the rich cities OF
the Gulf States. II will not he forgotten
tha. Nassau was onc5 q recruiting station
Tor the British navy in the New World. 1t
il not impossible that expeditions may go
out from it again, To rayage an unprotected
American coast.
In the Southwest Admiral Porter points
to Mexico with m area of 3 million square
miles from which attack may be expected,
while on the northern great lakes there
are millions Of tons of shipping open to
British assault.
These considerations are sufficient to
dispel the illusion that the United States
ia protected By It's situation. Thereare both
opportunity and temptation for attack.
However favorable the prospects may he
for long and continued peace, it is not wise
TO forget that one day OF war may, if the
nation Is unprepared, prove more costly
than years Of preparation. Anavy cannot
be built in a week or year. Coast defenses
that will furnish a moderate degree Of
protection cannot be extemporized.
1t is TO be hoped that Admiral Porters
words will not fall on deaf ears, His opinion
ought to be carefully considered by Con-
gress. Every motive of practical economy
as we'll a. national pride requires that the
United States shall be in readiness for q
great conflict, when one does come.