Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-09-08

In extent, over which vast population
can spread and find ample employment
without taking to the sea. That may
become necessary in the future, when
the territory of this country becomes
more densely settled.
Mr.. Hall of Missouri. Does not the
gentleman know that the shipments
abroad amount to $500, 200, 600 year?
Mr. Simpson. I am aware of that;
and also aware of the fact that it is not
carried in American vessels
Mr.. Hall of Missouri / understand
that; but that Is OAR commerce with
foreign nations.
Mr.. Pendleton of West Virginia. But
what would be the effect on the West il
that were interrupted?
Mr.. Simpson. There is no possibility
of an interruption of that foreign trade,
because the nation that attempted to
blockade our ports would starye her
own citizens.
Mr.. Money. Mr.. Chairman, I want
order in the committee. This is a very
important question, and the gentleman
is debating it with ability. I want to
hear him.
The Chairman. The committee will
be in order.
Mr.. Simpson. AS I was saying, the
condition of certain different nations
is such as to compel them to adopt
different modes of occupation. / had
called attention to the fact that Great
Britain, confined to small territory,
had been compelled to take to the sea;
and that is the condition largely of
Germany, of Italy, and other crowded
countries They must resort to some
means of livelihood for so large popu-
lation, and so commerce on the ocean
es and they have built up this enor-
nous number of ocean marine.
They are prepared, ready and will
ing to do the carrying trade of the
world at cheaper rate, it appears,
that we can do it ourselves; and SO,
instead of building up our ocean marine
under the present conditions, we have
been compelled to employ others; and
why have we done this? Because it is
more profitable. When it ceases to be
less profitable than building our own
ships, then we will have an ocean
marine, and then, under the better
conditions that will exist, the neces-
sity even of having a navy will pass
away. hope by that time men will
have learned the great lesson, of which
this country has set the example, that
the way to settle all international dis
putes is by arbitration, and peaceably
and not by cutting each others throat
with navy or other means.
Now, if I thought this was necessary;
if believed for the protection of this
country, the preservation of the pro-
perty, and the defense ;of the citizens
of this great Republic this appropria-
ticn was necessary; | would not oppose
it. But, as I said before in the first
place, recent events have proved be-
yond a doubt that the battle ship
does not answer the purposes for
which it was intended, as a means of
defense in warfare, and, in the next
place, the battle ship is not an avail
able craft for coast defense, particu-
larly in this country, because many of
our harhors are so shallow that she can
not enter them.
Again, the rapid development along
the line of explosives, will in my opinion,
In very few years make her useless
machine for defense. ! believe that if
it is necessary to increase our naval
force at all, which | deny, we could
expend the money very much more
profitably in the construction OF
cruisers and torpedo boats and tor the
harbof defenses in the shape of iinpr0v-
ed ordinances. am aware that there is
always a large pecuniary interest be-
hind these appropriations There are
many firms that are always anxious to
get these contracts which invOfve@sh
enormous expenditures of money, be-
cause whenever firm or man gets a
fat contract from the Government there
is ample opportunity to make lot of
money out of il; but we are here as
representatives of the people, and it is
our duty to see that their money is
wisely expended if it is expended at al,