The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-08
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE, WEDNESDAY. SEPT. s.
THE PRESIDENTS on THE NAVY.

THE 1AEsIDENIS w HE sAshs
IL r. very interesting to follow the line
OF thought on the subject Of an American
naval policy as outliaed In messages Of
the presidents Of the United States. So
many references OF ar imperfect char
acter have been made by The newspapers
and in speeches in congress that Assist
ant Secretary Of the Navy Roosevelt has
complied extracts from those messages
from i7ya TO the present day.
II is very noticeable that George WASH
irgton was as clear AMI emphatic on that
question as he was on all which con-
cerned the nation. he dcxerveS he
praise bestowed upon him that ne APP
preached every problem of vital interest
to America In a spirit OF the broadcast
patriotism and statesmanship. combined
with clear appreciation of the needs
of the present and keen insight into the
greater reeds which the future would
develop. His successors were not lack
Ing In an enthusiastic desire TO establish
navy. and review OF the reasons given
viii show with what unanlmity the nee
essity has been urged by successive pres
idents.
George Washington. In his annual adj
dress delivered in 1895. said that In order
TO secure respect neutral flag re-
Quires a naval force organized and
ready 10 vindicate IL from insult or ag-
gression. This may even prevent the
necessity of going to war by discourag-
ing belligerent powers from committing
such violations OF the rights of the aeu-
trail party as may first or last. leave no
other option. lie added that however
specific the general policy OF nation
may be il ought never TO Ne without an
adequate stock Of military force for
emergencies
John Adams had not only his own judg-
ment TO present TO the nation. bat his
experience with an experiment already
begun, lie said In 1927 that naval power
was the natural defense OF the United
States. but before the close OF Ais teria
he was able 10 say: Perhaps 70 coun-
try ever experienced moro sudden and re-
n atxaels advantages fiom any measure
OF policy than We have derived from the
army Tor our maritime protection and de-
fsrEe We ought without loss Of tine iaY
the foundation fer an increase az our
navy TO size sufficient 10 guard our
ecast and protect our trade Such n
naval force would afford the best means
of general defense"
The advantages spoken OF by Adams
mere much more fully demonstrated by
the brilliant achievements of the infant
navy whose praise was sounded by James
Madison IN 1915, aud sun more cmphati-
sa.ly commended two years later when
he Acknowledged the signal services Il
had rendered. and tho capacity 1t had de.
veio7ed Tor successful cooperation IN the
national defense.
A very different story was told by
James Monroe scarcely ten years after
wards. during which time the advances
made BY other nations had net been par
alieied by this country. His remarks on
the subject are worthy 81 belns quoted az
seine length:
I'm the late war our whole Coast was
either Invaded or rncaaced with invasion.
There was scarcely "a harbor or citv on any
OF cur grea, lnlets which eoala he consid-
cred secure. In whatever direction the
enemy chose 20 move with ;hc.r ss1uaarons
and 20 land .heir troops. eur fortacatl6os.
whore any existed. presented bu; t.tle Or
siacies 20 them Thelr sausarons. IN fact.
annoyed our whole Cesst. aot on ,he SEA
enty. bat every bay and great river
throughout SIS whoie exteat In en.sriag
these iaieis ana sailing ~ yhgm VITA 3
small force the egecs was disastrous. SIN .a
Z neyer failed 20 DRAW out the whole pop.
ulsticn or each sids ard - keen X n ma
Geld while TIRE squadron remained ths-e.
The expense ARD exposure q ths iahae-
i,anss ard she waite C property nay read
iiy lie conceived, T'hese occurrences
eemonstrafa clearly that in ne wara %
otAsr powers W can reiy only 81 foroe FOR
protection of car central rights. ana that
n any war 81 Nhlcs we nay ee engaged
hereafter with = strong naval power the
sxpense, waste ana ether casaragtles a.
sendlnk It. considering the vsss extent y
eur maritime Frontier cannot far unless II
% dcseadad ay a3eQpa.e foytsrstlons ana
suitable navai force - co-vespon8 VITA
those which we're experienced IN tac late
var. Two great oaise,s arc therefore 10
Re regarded n tha sssaeisshraent q an
adequate naval farce, TIE first 20 prS-
vent var 70 Tar as il RAY 20 rra-,seAhls.
shs second 20 ala.aisa rs ,aiamaaes whea
Z, usay Re 3sevisae'e. Ne government viii
be disposed = violate car Ttrhss Il Il
knows Nc have "a nsesas ara are IRE
pared Ars rrse'vca - s.ssn3 teeas
IN the year Ks Jesa ~sa.r,y Adams ~
ferging % ess aet e INs sa3s lt wss a dec
iar2poa % tsat congress % tAe1r eoasata-