Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-08

states, In this movement naval ascend
endency plays a large part. The conse-
quences are not far to seek. The estab-
lishment Of complete commercial su-
premacy by European power in any
state Of the western hemisphere means
the exclusion of American influence and
the virtual destruction, as far as that
state is concerned, of Independent exist
ence. With the great maritime powers
II Is only step from commercial con-
troll to territorial control.
If that most important agency in the
commercial development of the United
States, the Nicaragua canal, were com
pleted the strategic situation would be
largely modified. AT the present time
the two seaboards are so remote 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 Is a circle of insular fortresses fac
! ing our Atlantic seaboard, the sole OBJ
Ject Of whose existence is to maintain
naval Qutposts 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 to meet them. To protect either
seaboard, even when our present author
lied fleet is completed will involve
stripping the other at critical moment.
believe that public opinion in the
United States desires to see this country
provided with an efficient naval protec-
ton. The press, which represents the
best intelligence of the country speaks
on the subject with clearness and en-
phasis, 1t believes, and the country be-
iieves 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 open to the attacks of third
rate power, whose ships, by a sudden
movement, may enforce contributions
that would I ay in advance the expense
OF war. If any one believes that such
rapidity of movement is impossible, let
him recall the circumstances under
which the Esmeralda appeared in Apil
last. without warming close to the Cali
fOrnian coast. sending ON the Itata to
San Diego As little does public opinion
believe that the commercial seaports of
the gulf AMI the Atlantic should be un-
protected from attack by any nation
whose fortified harbors and fully
equipped dock yards are within forty
eight hours steaming.
There arc elements of danger at all
times for American interests, and at a..y
moment these elements may be rendered
tenfold mora active by European wa.
Our situation as a commercial neutral
between these mighty contestants, to
some of whom our exports of beef and
pork and grain and cotton will be a ne
cessity, while to others they will become
a main object of attack, is one for which
we must maze an adequate provision be-
fOrehand. The disastrous consequences
of our posiAon in 1S05-1812, as an un-
armed neutral between to unscrupulous
belligerentS are well known. The direct
losses alone to say nothing of the indi-
rect injuries, sustained by our merchants
during that period amounted to sum
that would have built a navy sufficient
to have sWert the ships of either one of
our aggressOrs from the ocean.
The estimates for increase Of the navy
for the coming year, including hull, ma
ChTnery, armOr, armament and equip
ment, show a reduction of $1,000 600 be-
low the appropriations for the current
year, or SIP 300, 600 i'll place Of Sl1, 1,GO0,-
600. A much larger reduction will take
place in the following year, which will
substantially complete all the work in
progress under existing authorizations
of congress. In view Of the large reduc-
tiOn in current estimates, and the still
larger reductions in the immediate
future, it would seem that some new
construction might properly and safely
be authorized during the present session.
What European Powers Have Done.
Russia leads the way with the huge
armored cruiser Ruric, of II 900 tons
displacement. England is now COM
pleting the Blake and Blenheim, of 5000
tons, aud mne cruisers of the Edgar
class, of Z 800 tons. France is building
the Deputy de LONE, of $500 tons.
Germany has in course of construction
the vessel known as Cruiser "H," of
5000 tons, and it is reported that seven
more of this latter type are contemplate
ed. Finally, Spain has ordered SIX
armored cruisers, the first three of $500
tons, now approaching completion, while
the fourth has been increased to $500
tons, and the remaining two will prob
ably be of similar displacement. While
comparisons between these two vessels
would be inyidious, it may be stated
broadly that in none Of these instances
has the displacement fallen appreCiably
below 5000 tons without a departure, TO
a greater or less extent, from the high
standard of requirements laid down.
The following table shows the COM
parative situation of sixteen principal |
states in the matter of torpedo boats,
and the position occupied by the United |
States in the list calls attention forcibly |
to the importance of providing this eco
nomical and effective means Of defense.
The report then gives table showing
the number of torpedo boats built, |
building or projected during 1890 and
1891, 1t is as follows:
Number of |