The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-28
National Insurance.

seattle T1meS.
 Whatever may be said of Richmond view critic may take of the career which he has mapped out for himself. the truth remains that this young. enthusi- astic naval constructor is presenting a message to the American people in new and forcfble way. Divested of all senti- ment and of all political significance, the young mans plea for large navy comes strictly under the head of national in surance.
 While not using these words, Captain Hotson expressed this idea: Why do business men insure their buildings? Why do cities maintain fire departments? In order that business men may build build ings, i'll them with goeds, and then go about their work with the assurance that in case of fire the minimum amount of loss will result, and such loss will be promptly made up by the companies as- suming the risk. In the same way, why much more serious menace. the military spirit of Europe? A fire which breaks out in city has no directing thought behind 1t; but the whitening fire which the military power of Europe could direct against the American coast would have the highest trained thought of Europe di- recting it. The citizen. pays taxes that the nation may have, among other things, insurance against foreign powers.
 Some startling facts were developed in Captain Hobson's lecture. The coast line, rivers, and lake shores of the United States contain more taxable property than the seao3ard line of all Europe; yet the United States Navy today is but a fourth rate navy. It should be made the strongest navy in the world in order to protect the greatest nation in the world in its peaceful pursuits of industry.
 The navy of every nation on the globe now in existence has at one time or other suffered defeat, with the solitary excep- tion of the navy of the United States which has never suffered defeat. How If 1t Is allowed to be merely a fourth rate navy?
 The, expense of creating and maintain ing a great navy would be something but 1t would by its very responsiveness make the United States unconquerable. All Europe is camp, and every nation of Europe is nation of soldiers. Owing to jealousies of each other, the European nations do not dare to diminish their standing armies. The United States, even though 1t grow to many times its present population, need not. increase its stand ing army, but any increase of navies which the European nations make must be made on top of the expense of the standing armies. Thus the United States could easily outstrip the world in ship building and make .ts very expense some- thing Impossible for European nations to equal.
 ne OnltcU states iS lOOhAIlB tOudy WllN eager eyes upon the markets of China. It is logically conceded that as fast as Chinaman Is taught to produce that for which he may be paid at the rate of 50 cents a day he will demand from the markets of the world luxuries to the ex- tent of 50 cents day. As fast as the 400 000, 900 people of China are taught to produce that for which they will receive four hundred millions of dollars year more than they are now getting, just so quick will they spend that much money and afford four hundred n1inlons of dol lars increase for the worlds markets. The possibilities are not for four hundred millions a year, but for a sum too vast Europe partition China among them- selves the markets of China will be di- vided among these nations and the United States, with it's fourth rate navy, will be powerless against the united navies of Europe to maintain that open door in the Orient of which we now speak so flip panty and consider 70 be so secure. If the Mon-oe Doctrine should ever be attacked, the United States could defend it only with her navy. At the present moment the United States navy Is fourth rate and promises to stand fourth rate navy for some time to come, contrasted to which is the naval program of Ger many. which insures the trebling of that navy by the year 1912, If Germany, with her heavy tax for a standing army which cannot be reduced. can treble her navy in so short time, there must be some | reason for it, and what other reason can there DC than that Germay must fight the United States in the markets of the world, or attack the Monroe Doctrine in South America
 The great exports of the United States has been the favorite 'hene of discussion in the Republican Party for the last four years. The present prosperity of the United States depends upon con. tinuance of this immense foreign trade But where is the fire department on the high seas bearing Uncle Sam's flag tc protect that great commerce?
 The United States today Is challenging the military power of Europe in two ways. First, by the Monroe Doctrine which forpids the colonization of South America by the military powers of Eu. rope. Second, by her ability to make bet ter goods than any other country in the world and win a sale for them on theil merits in the worlds markets. Shoulc the military power of Europe undertakt to question or reply to either of these challenges ths standing army of thu