Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-16

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
One Of the strangesi things for the average
citizen to comprehend is the impression that
prevails in the minds of many of our fellow
citizens that our nation does not need strong.
well-built navy. ready at short notice TO cope
with anything likely to be sent against il. Even
ex-senator Ingalls, is reported to have said re-
Gently that we do not need navy, and that the
Chilean trouble would not have originated had
not the Baltimore been where she had no bust
ness to be. OF course his opinion will 20
farther and probably have vastly more infu-
ence than that of one OF the common
rank aud file. He works upon the
theory that If We. as nation. at
tend strictly to our own affairs, we shall be in
no danger Of becoming involved in trouble
with others. But does that always follow? Do
not the merchant, the inancier and all others
that hold possessions that are liable 10 be stolen
provide against their predaceous neighbors by
the strongest built vaults and the most ingen-
ious safety locks to thwart the burglar or the
a wealthy man, if he has portable property of
value he is compelled to exert grea; diligence
and go to great expense TO prevent Others from
feloniously depriylng him Of it.
What lis true of individuals is true of nations
We are claimed to lie the wealthiest nation an
the world; we are also the most UNPROTECTED
From Duluth around the circle of the great
lakes, down the Atlantic coast. around the
gulf and along the vast expanse of our western
shores, with untold millions of property within
range Of modern guns, We have scarcely
point that could be defended forty-eight hours
against an attack of ten or fifteen of the great
modern war vessels of England. France or
Italy. Our former success III coming out VIC
tors In every war has given us great degree
of selt-conce;t and caused ps to think we are in
Vulnerable at every point Too many of us
forget the great difference between the slow
going old sail vessels with their detective arma-
ments, and the modern steel-walled fortress.
with its terribly destructive weapons and eapa-
BILE of moving from point to point regardless
OF climatic conditions with the speed OF an
average railroad train Another thing is for
gotten, that modern navy cannot be built in
a few days, like an ''old timer" could. Perry
cut down the trees, built his ships aud won Lis
famous victory in little over 100 days, but
such a thing would be impossible now, and
who can contemplate the damage o we'll
equipped squadron of steel-clnds could CON-
init upon our maritime cities in the brief space
Of four months2 Our coasts could be DESC
lated.
In spite of tine fact that we have always held
to the policy OF non-interference in the QUAR-
rels Of others, the events Of the past yesr
clearly show that there are many ways by
which We may become involved in war that
would have to be settled principally by the
navy. 1t is well known that poverty was the
great consideration that prevented Italy dis
patching feet to our shores last spring: Mt
least. it is SO believed. 1t is ludisputable that
the cause of Chile's back down was because the
had to. as the boy says. But we are liable TO
get into situation with a powerful nation
with plenty Of wealth. abundant offensive and
defensive armaments, where the only two
roads open to US will be war or dishonor. How
many true American citizens but would prefer
the former to the latter?
There Is . very instructive story in very
good book about some foolish people that were
once caught mapping and when the all-iui-
portant moment arrived they had no OIL in
their Tampa. so they were LETS. II seems to the
writer that there is certain modern nation
that u acting just a. unwisely in not being pre-
pared Tor the storm that Is certainly brewing
A constant increase Of tue number OF vesssls
the additional strength and speed, the greuter
effectiveness Of their Weapons that IL exhibited
ny AL the great nations. does not oode well Tor
the universal reign Of peace and arbitration. A
good navy and proper seacoast defenses could
be constructed Tor cost that would be evenly
divided over the whole country at n far smaller
price than would result from the destruction Of
any ons Of NJ least thirty OF our cities along
the coast, with greater honor TO the nation and
with Q better showing for our prudepce in
caring for what property belongs 10 us
@. A. GiLIILAxp.
THE ladies OF the Columbia Turn yerein
have issued invitatious for q fancy dress leap
year ball 70 bs given at Concordia Hall TIM
evening.