The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-12

A Most Important Agency I'm Our CONNER
ciai Development.

Hon. B. r. Tracy Secretary Of the Navy. in
his recent report. says on tho subject Of the
increase of the navy and the intimate rela-
ton 1t bears 10 the commerce Of the country
/ makes very interesting reference 10 the Mica
ragua canal He says on the subject:
The course of events during the past year
/ has shown anew the necessity vi continuing
the development OF the navy. The demands
upon II have been constant. aud they are con-
stantly growing. The rapid extension Of
commercial relations has doubled the i'm
| portance OF our interests. especially In the
facinc. Ii was said a iew years ago by a
/ keen foreign observer Some day OF other
there will be a great rivalry of three or four
nations in the Pacific tor the commerce OF
those seas. and the country which has culti-
waited Its strength with view 10 that contin-
gency will carry of n chief part Of the prize"
The rivalry has already begun, and the signs
are evident on every hand OF sharp competi-
ton.
1t IS apparent that the mercantile competi-
tors Of this country are to-day enlarging their
helds OF activity with more aggressive n
ergY than ever before. No one can fail 10
observe the indications Of n systematic effort
to take advantage of the disturbed conditions
now prevailing in many of the smaller
States. In this movement naval as
tendency plays a large part. The con-
% guences are not far 10 seek. The estab-
lishment of complete commercial supremacy
by European power in any State of the
Western hemisphere means the exclusion Of
American influence and the virtual destruc-
ton. as far as That State is concerned. of in
dependent existence. With the great mari
time powers it is only a step from CONNER
cial control TO territorial control
II that most important agency in the CON-
meTcial development of the nited States. the
Nicaragua canal, were completed. tho strate-
gic situation would be largely modified At
the present time the two seabOards are so re-
mote that each requires its separate system OF
naval defense. Each has its vulnerable
points. and each has neighbors that are
well prepared for offensive movements.
There u circle of insular fortresses
facing our Atlantic seaboard tho sole object
OF whose existence is 10 maintain naval out
posts AT our doors. There are States in the
Pacific. and not large States either. whose
fleets are more powerful than any force that
we could readily bring 10 meet them. TO
protect either seaboard. even when our pre-
sent authorized fleet is completed. will in
vOlve stripping the other at a critical
moment
believe that public opinion in the United
States desires 70 see this country provided
with nm efficient naval protection. The press.
which represents the best intelligence OF the
country. speaks on the subject with clear
ness and emphasis. IL believes and the
country believes with it. that this protection
Is an obligation upon the National Govern
ment. 1t does not believe that cities
like San Francisco. Seattle. and Tacoma
should be opened 10 the attacks of third
rate power. whose ships. by sud
den movement. may enforce contribu-
tons that would pay in advance the
expense OF a war II any one believes
that such rapidity of movement is
impossible, let linn recall the cir
culnstances under which the Esmer-
aida appeared in April last. with
out warning close 10 the Californian
coast, sending on the Itats TO San Diego. |
As little does public opinion believe that the |
commercial seaports Of the gulf and the /
Atlantic should be unprotected from attack /
by any nation whose fortified harbors and |
naval dock-yards are within |
tOrty-eight hours steaming.
But II IS not the seacOast States alone that |
have direct interest in naval efficiency |
The prosperity of the whole interior de- !
ponds upon the uninterrupted supply |
Of the demands of foreign market. |
II when war comes we are not in a
position TO protect the transportation |
Of our food products, the foreign market |
will be closed. BY the blockade of such great
outlets as Galveston. New Orleans and Mobile
IN the Gulf, and the Chesapeake and Della
ware and New York on the Atlantic. the great
industry of the interior will be paralyzod.