Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-24
USES OF THE NAVY.
Secretary Herbert Addresses the New
York Hoard of Trade.


I'VE do not need great naval estab-
land" said Secretary Herbert at the BAN
quet of the New York board of trade last
night, but we do need navy that will
command respect for our rights in peace
and in war; that, in case of conflict between
the great naval powers of the world, will
be able to protect and defend the shipping
that in such cases will seek shelter under
our flag, an opportunity that Congress will
seize when 1T comes to get back our share
of the carrying trade of the world. We do
not need a navy because we want to make
war. but because we want to command our
peace God speed the time when univ ersal
peace shall be and remain throughout the
world. The greatest step ever taken In
that direction was the arbitration of the
Alabama claims. When was that? Just
after our civil war, when the United States
navy was stronger. relatively, than ever be-
fore or since. Then, at least, on this sile
of the Atlantic, our navy could have en-
tered a contest with that of Great Britain
with a fair chance of success. Who made
for US that agreement to arbitrate? Gen.
Grant, the soldier-statesman, ready and
willing to fight If need be, but always anX-
ious for the blessings of peace.
THE precedent then set has since been
twice followed in the settlement of dis
putes with Great Britain. Peace societies
all over the world are pushing that Drece-
dent as basis for universal peace. Let us
help them forward. and continue to help
them. supported always by navy strong
enough to make our influence felt in the
councils of the world
In the course of his remarks Secretary
Herbert also said:
History Is now teaching in the war in
the east another lesson in which all the
world may see. and read. if it will. the
value of commerce. The Chinese and Jap
anese are of one race; both peoples are
brave. but China is at a disadvantage. She
f-tEl Il.
deemed her own trade. her own industries.
and her own civilization sufficient for her
needs, and she is now reaping the fruit of
that policy.
to believe ii our true policy to erect by law
a sort of Chinese wall around our country,
that will bar foreign trade. China has
done, for the benefit of home Industries;
but I cannot believe that gentlemen who
study the methods and the benefits of trade
and transportation will ever advocate any
Chinese policy for America.
Our government began without a navy
that could protect our shipping. In a few
years We We're paying tribute to three Bar
barry powers at the same time; and in 1871
the bashaw of TripoH actually declared
war against US because we were giving
Algiers and Tunis more money to let our
commerce alone than we were paying him.
Like other great equity judges, the learned
bashaw applied the maxim, equality is
equity
about that same time France and Eng
land were at war. Both courted our SYM
p5rhy and aid. We stood aloof, and both
nations kicked us and cuffed US. till we
We're forced, first into quasi war with
France. and afterward. in 1912. to declare
against England-driven into two wars
simply because we We're not strong enough
to enter upon either.
I'VE were reluctant to declare war
against Great Britain, and so We tried first
an embargo upon our own trade; pun
ished ourselves. until, at length. many of
our New England brethren gathered at the
Hartford convention to seriously discuss
whether ii was not wise to secede and dis
solve the Union rather than submit to it.
After the war OF 1912 there never was
any question but that the United States
must be naval power. Experience had
shown that weakness invited insult and
aggression, that embargOes our trade
did not avail to protect our rights as neu-
trails, and. in the war to which We were
driven. we saw Hull and Decatur and Balm
bridge lighting up the seas with the glories
OF our flag. while the deathleSs deeds of
Perry and Mcdonald. on the lakes, filed
the world with the fame of sailors.
Even while that of 1872 was in pro-
gress, the dey of Algers. believing that our
little navy was being swept from the seas
again. began his ravages on our commerce;
but Decatur. in 1915. promptly humbled the
little pirate. and from that day to this the
American people have been resolved never