The San Francisco call., 1899-12-30
INCREASING NHVIES.

HE necessity for having sea power has been much
discussed in this country, where the example OF
England is highly regarded The exertions OF
Germany to advance the class OF her navy
of interest in England.
The Kaiser has recently indicated new for a
universally distributed navy. In a statement about
Samoan affairs the lord said that Samoa must
be German because years ago German warship was
wrecked at Apia. This idea that title to land is ac
quired by wrecking ship on its coast is hardly more
whimsical than that other appeal to pseudo patriotism
about hauling up or hauling down the flag evidence
OF right and title.
The Westminster Gazette, discussing from Eng
sh standpoint the increase in the German and Rus
sian navies raises exactly the question that
troubled the mind OF the Gar as to land armaments
The Gazette says: Two years ago it was considered
sufficient that should be superior on the seas TO
France and Russia. Now we are faced by. a sudden
access OF competition Russia is largely increasing
her fleet; Germany and the United States have each
OF them, plans for entirely new fleet Can we count
either OF the newcomers as allies in the sense that
can disregard their efforts? Mr. Chamberlain Leices
ter speech scarcely encourages the idea. We may
be friends with them for particular purpose and at
given price, but permanent friendship. which would
enable write off their forces from the number Of
possible enemies, is clearly within our reach
Since the present Government came into power We
have had dangerous quarres with each OF them, and
no one dare say, however much We may wish it, that
we may not again have differences with one or
the other OF them What then? Must we go on
building till ruined in the vain hope OF meet
ing all possible combinations against us or must we
allow the balance OF power to be altered to our
disadvantage? We for ourselves that the sec
ond alternative is inevitable and that We ought not to
let it alarm unduly"
This brings into plain view the final result of de-
voting all the resources OF civilization to the building
up OF military power on land and sea. There comes
time when the burden breaks the back that carries
ii and falls taking with it every advantage which it
was supposed TO
II is not a matter The same issue was as acute
century and half ago Its existence was one rea-
son for the founding OF the republic OF the United
States. understood by its builders to be protest
against Europe, where nations existed only in the
physical force they could control If Jefferson were
justified. nearly hundred years ago. in saving that
this country should pursue the happiness OF its peo-
pie on line opposed the hell OF war and ambition
that ruled Europe, how much more are we justified
in keeping to old lines, now that that hell is i'm
posing burdens that stagger the nations which bear
them
II the opinions of the Westminster Gazette had
been more generally accepted a year ago in this
country and Europe the Peace Conference might have
been success instead OF failure. 1t might have been
base line from which to measure the policy Of
the nations instead OF conventice so nerveess that
il could not agree to debrutaze war by outlaw
ing missiles which torture and putting the ban upon
the murder OF helpless prisoners and wounded COM
batants.
II had been then more clearly understood that
the policy OF added ornaments to dominate the world
by land and means in the final analysis that the
strongest go building until ruined this
country and England could easily have disarmed the
world and pucked the honor OF procuring its per-
manent peace.