New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-14
NlTION4L Defence.

"Tbe Herald we are glad to notice, is laying
stress upon the fact that the CHILEAN affair dis
closed the weakness of the Nation IN the eS-
sentias Of successful warfare ashore ana ahoat'
1t describes the American Army as " manoeuvreu
by old tactics and armed with obsolete weapons"
and the Navy Us in a similar condition, since IL
lacks battle-ships. 1t states that II would nave
been impossible, if an army had been sent to
Chill. 70 have armed it with modern rife or
70 have introduced the new drill and it recon-
mend, that authority be given by Congress for
the construction OF three battle-ships year Tor
a period of at least six years
While we cordially welcome these excellent
suggestions from "Ihe Herald" we do not thlnK
that the ground has been entirely covered. Inc
outbreak of war with Chill would have DISCLOSED
the weakness of the country III two other re-
spects. Before an army could have been Trans
norted from California 10 Valparaiso, feet OF
TRANSPORTS would have been required, and OWING
10 the decline of the American commercial ma
rine these would not have been available. NO
maritime naton can be considered IN proper
state of preparation for war; offensive OF oe-
fcnSive unless it has fleet OF last merchant
steamer, which can be converted into an auXlliaiy
navy. If hCStiticS had arisen Chill would nave
omnloycd the fine vessels Of its national Inc as
cruisers and transports, and the United states
vould have had no merchant vessels on the Pa
ciGc scaboard equal to them for war purposes.
If there should be 4 similar emergency on the
Atlantic side there would be no merchant
fleet under the American flag available III war
with any European maritime Power
If an army, moreover, had been sent TO 'hii
and the American naval resources had been con-
ccntratcd IN that quarter for active operations
and blockade duty, The California coast would
have been dcfenceleSs, san Francisco exposed to
attack from tho most formidable CHILEAN war
ships, and Atlantic ports without adequate means
Of resisting long range fire from such batt.e-
ships as the Prat. Coast defence would become
an issue of paramount importance in any foreign
war. r. has seemed mpracticablc during the
last decade to arouse public interest in this qneS-
ton or to secure wise and comprehensive acton
from Congress upon 1t.
\ great Nation with unprotected cities on three
sclbolrds invites war by lis lack OF preparation
for il. The United States not only ought to
place It's chief ports in proper condition OF de-
fence, but Il ought also TO have fleet Of cruisers
and battle ships large enough TO meet any ro-
qulrcmcntS OF loreI@h "dFi"c' ""''H' ''"'0'
we'll ordered for sudden emergencies and an
auxiliary navy OF requisite speed and tonnage
in its merchant marine. With these prcpara-
lions for National defence the risks OF war would
be hardly worthy OF serious consideration Every
ono Of these measures can be advocated IN tho
interests OF peace The barbarism OF war, which
Americans Justly hold in unSeakablc abhor-
renee. cannot be avered by conditions of help
lcs,ncss and insecurity produced by systematic
NEGLECT Of comprehensive measures for National
defence.