, 1898-08-22
BUILD UP HI NAVY.

The expanding life of the United
States calls imperatively for 4 navy not
only to insure national security but to
advance commercial interests. The
days OF snarling opposition to increas>
ing the navy are over. The one and
only question 10Y regarding our naval
affairs Is, To what extent shall we en-
large the fleets? Dewey and Sampson
and Schley have settled forever the
cry of log-rolling congressman who
have shouted, "No more battleships,"
while they have clamored for appro-
prsations to deepen insignificant creeks
and to erect palatial public buildings in
obscure towns, leaving the navy to take
any flag ends 1t could get.
How shall the navy be built up?
What kind Of a consort shall be given
the spirit OF national destiny that has
awakened from it's slumber and has
reached our to the Orient with our flag?
First Of all, the government will call
for more battleships. Let them be fast
~battleships also-ships hat can over
take and destroy the fleets of an enemy.
no matter what flag that enemy flies.
Let congress make appropriations for
I'VE Of these every ear for the next
I'VE years. The government will re-
quest also more fleet armored cruisers.
improved New Yorks and Brooklyns.
At the same time let it continue to en-
courage inventions in naval construc-
ton. Let It secure more earthquake
makers like the Vesuvius, a vessel too
long lbIacklisted by a certain set of
hands, despite the fact that these per-
fected submarine craft have nc quarter
decks and are pronounced dangerous"
by two or three naval officers who love
uniforms more than the glories of war.
In short, let it take advantage of ev-
cry improvement to build up a power
full navy in the interests Of national Sc
curity and the protection and advance
ment OF trade.
Five bartleships OF the highest grade
a year would mean an annual a%ppropri-
alton Of $25, 0OO. 900 out of a total appro-
prpation Of about $3.50. OO0, 900, the sum
that will probably be required for the
expenses of the government, or about
AZ per cent of our yearly expenditures.
Less than 5 per cent of our national
outlay for the next five years would,
therefore, put this country in a po-
sftion where 1t could command peace
in defiance Of any nation in the world.
At the end OF that time we should have
fully forty line-of-battle ships and a
total force that no country burt England
could match. The cost would be small:
the benefit in national security would
be dncalculable. Our additional arm
ored cruisers and small craft could be
butM for about $25 .0OO, 900 more, on the
assumption that four armored cruisers
would be all that would be required.
For a total cost of $3.50. 900 900, or
$50, 000,O 900 a year for the next five
wears, then, this country could attain
a position Of absolute naval i%ndepend-
ence. What a gain to us, what a gain
TO he cause of peace. what a gain to
civilization that would mean. The
people want the ships, our future de-
mands them, and the wealth of this
country is ample to pay for maintain
ing them
Happily there is little reason to be-
lieve that many men in our national
LEGISLATURE will venture to oppose the
counkry's demand for such a navy. The
prospect Is bright for the return of the
flag of the United States TO the high
The people have awakened to the
necessities Of the hour, and those of our
public men who have their ears to the
ground, listening for popular move
msnts, already are taking iced Of the
duties and lessons brought home to this
nation by Dewey at Manila and Samp-
son and Schley at Santiago.-Chicago
Inter Ocean.