The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-10
An Absurd Argument.

Were ii not for the definite report
from Washington that one of the newly
manufactured shells had pierced easily
through fourteen inches of Harveyized
armor plate. we should regard with dis
trust and suspicion the proposition in
the senate to take up this matter in
connection with the naval appropriation
bill and the completion of our new bat
tIeships. 1t originated with T4llman. He
is not likely to be made the spokesman
of the navy department or the custodian
of its secrets. We believe him to be as
reckless of the truth as we know him
to be destitute of common decency. AS
one of the combine that Is bent on de-
feating, by any means and at any cost,
the increase of the navy, his leadership
suggests the presence of an African in
the woodpile.
But even if it be true that proJectile
has been discovered which win pene-
trate the strongest modern armor,
wherein does that prove the wisdom of
ceasing naval construction? For the
last twenty years it has been contin-
uous race between the inventors Of
more powerful guns and improved pro-
jectiles and those whose genius was de-
voted to strengthening defensive armor
and making it proof against the impact
hall Han <hn thAr
has forged to the front; but this is the
first time that we have heard that a
signal advance in one direction should
be made an excuse for the cessation
Of all effort in the other.
Because, forsooth, a more powerful
projectile has been made practicable
If that Is the case--we must do no more
work on our ships of war until some
body invents a plate that will be proof
against their assault! The mere sug-
gestion is absurd BY that argument,
progress on ships and Notifications
would never have proceeded hand in
hand; we might have made or purchased
either big guns or armor plate,
as one or the other had the ad-
vantage for the time being, but never
both at once. We could arm our ships
only when their rifles could pierce any
thing afioat and we could put armor
plate on them only when a method Of
treatment was in vogue that could turn
the shot of any gun. The argument is
an imbecile one. Following It, no nation
would have navy today.
Granting that the new invention Is
genuine, and that 1t Is all that it is
claimed to be. It 10 the work of a United
States naval officer. The navy depart
ment 10 guarding the secret of 1t. There
10 no reason why that should become
the property of other nations for years,
If ever. Meantime our navy would pos
sess the double advantage Of an armor
that could defy their guns and a gun
that could riddle their armor as IL 1t
were planking. 1t Is impossible to
doubt that the report of this discovery,
whatever there may be to it. has been
seized upon with avidity by the enemies
Of naval extension. They see that the
patience of the nation is wearied with
their obstruction on the ground that
armor plate commands an exorbitant
price. Feeling that this pretext will
serve no longer, they seek to embarrass
the nation and veto the completion of
ships Of war authorized, by this new
sensation. Since, II 1t is all that II is
rumored to be, 1t would not furnish
any rational argument against armor-
ing the ships under construction with
the best plate obtainable. which is the
most that can be done In any event,
their device should not avail. About as
well demand the disarming and dis
banding of our army IL II should happen
that Germany adopted a new rife Of
superior range and efficiency to our
own.