The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-13
Tho Other Extreme.

The views Of the politicians who can
not understand that the world moves
and who maintain that we have no
mere need OF a strong navy than we
have had for the past fifty years are
hopelessiy discredited. We need to be
on our guard against the rebound from
this to the other extreme. 1t is repre-
scented by the views Of Captain Mahan,
who yields to the enthusiasm that pos
sesses the specialist In any department.
Captain Mahan believes that our navy
should be at least the equal of that Of
any other nation except Great Britain;
and he makes this exception only be-
cause he fayors such an alliance with
England as will place her fleet virtu-
ally at our service. And all this he
justines by the agreed necessity OF
maintaining the Monroe doctrine and
protecting the Nicaragua canal when il
Is constructed.
The people Of the United states are
as far from going to this extreme as
they are from wishing A return to the
naval resources And II is a wise and
conservative, yet intelligent and patri-
otto policy OF the middle ground that
Will command their approval Their
pride In their navy has never been as
great since the last war with Great
Britain as II Is now. Their determine
ton to add to II until II commands in
ternstional respect is fixed. But they
have no wish to overawe the world with
their ships OF war They do not believe
In the necessity or the wisdom of IT,
And they are even further from desir-
ing such alliance with Great Britain or
any other country as would include even
~ thsoretiesi consolidation of naval re-
sources. For that implies reciprocal
obligations; and in its policies the Unit
ed states is and must forever remain
free and Independent.
That We need more men OF war and
more cruisers is admitted by all parties
We do not require them TO uphold the
Monroe doctrine. That has taken care
OF Itself admirably for three-quarters OF
century. and has now a Arm interna-
tsonal standing We DO not need to fear
any defiance Of H. NdEuropean nation
cares TO invite our certain hostility and
an the tremendous mlstortunes Of a war
with us for such poor advantage as
might accrue from some encroRchment
upon territory whose affairs are the es.
psclal concern u this republic. II Is
enc Of the cases where the sign Keep
W the grass Is as effective as a squad
q policemen, The argument cannot be
used 20 force US IN military and naval
affairs 10 the European basis.
Al the same time the new navy Is
gaore than ever matter OF pride and a
national care. Peace Is preserved large
/ " By wholesome respect for the consc-
/ Quences OF aggression. What we GO
reed Is navy sufncieat 10 deter any
I other government from wanton assault
| IN the development az international
c. mmerce we require a larger sea police
| prepared 20 act " necessary. fust as a
/ city whose population increases and
whose business grows must have more
/ ratrolmen. II Is this reasonable provl-
sion which Is now being made by add
,lons TO our navy. and the limit is no;
| yet reached. But 81 Is important thai
we should justify cur policy by right
reason Instead OF wrong
The United states proposes no de.
parture from It's traditional relation tc
the other nations 81 the world. Il doe,
not need 20 threaten them. It does pro.
pose tina, the expansion which is sisr
and condition Of healthy growth ssal
be symmetrical; that the man shall no