The herald., 1897-10-02
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 2. 1907.
OUR WEAK NAVAL STATUS

Our foreign relations are growing
somewhat complicated. In the Atlantic
We are. ION the verge Of war with
Spain," 1t Is said, and In the Pacific we
are threatened by a conflict with Japan.
These perils are rot the growth of mere
ly day or year, and Notwithstanding
the Indications that might have pointed
this climax to a people more properly
vigilart, We have remained as II blind
to the gathering storm. The truth viii
have to .-he admitted, however much it
may be disguised by the babel of mer-
cenary politicians, that We are in nowise
prepared to meet. the hostile storm tha t
inevitable circumstance seems to be
gradually developing. There is a
most pitiful lack of masculine spirit as
well as of wise statesmauship in Mr.. Nc
Kinley and his cabinet. Witt the un-
limited wealth and credit of the nation
at his back and a statute book replete
with faXorable legislation in the direc-
tion of the fitting out and equipping
navy that will suffice to maintain the
dignity Of the country, the adminstra-
tion Is forced to concede a measure bly,
doubtful issue in the case Of war with
a nation that is unable to subdue ten
thousand starving rebels in Cuba.
For twenty years an object lesson has
been paraded before our eyes by Eng
land, France, Russia Italy ard latterly
by Japan, that no country can lay claim
to-territorial security, much less to any
foreign dictatorship, whose coasts are
not patroled by a navy that is entirely
sufficient to protect her coast cities from
being suddenly placed under tribute
With the overwhelming superiority
of the Japanese navy in the Pacific,
upon the breaking out Of llostilities at
Hawaii she could put every city upon
the coast, except, perhaps, San Fran
cisco, under tribute, while our available
war vessels would be engaged by de-
tached squadron at Hawaii. These are
hard facts, and as facts they are wholly
irsexcusable. The fault does not lie with
the officers Of the navy, who take every
opportunity that is offered them to sup
plant the mercenary instincts of the
administration by little of their OWE,
national enthusiasm. But hey speak
to dull ears.
OF course in the matter Of navy and
in the presence of crisis such as tha,
which is a. this time believed to be. i'm
minent, If we can credit the current dis
patches, we are by no means defense
less. But it is manifest that as against
the full power of Japan we cannot hold
Hawaii and protect our coast as we'll
Our chances against Spain would be
much brighter, as in the event of a con-
fiict in that direction We would be or the
defensive.
But all the lingo that all the spread
eagle press can disseminate in decade
can not make us sufficient or secure at
home or respected abroad If we are in
capable Of learning and applying the
one great open secret of the nineteenth
century. This teaches that all the
wealth and all the achievement of ma
tlOnal genius Will count Tor nothing in
the absence of coercive power crystal
lized in the form of warships frowning
in every harbor.
Abundant warning has been given of
the intention of Japan to resist our
scheme Of Hawaiian annexation, and
abundant time has elapsed to enable a
vigilant people with abundant means
to provide for the emergency.
This kind Of apathy in the presence of
srmed alien avarice may some day
awaken US to the realization that "he