The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-16
continuing himself to stale theories and arr
Eun,ents that will not bear Investigation.


Euments that will not bear investigation.
The secrethry's entire report, so far
as Recommendations are concerned, Is
based upon and carries out the general
idea that a mighty navy Is guarantee
OF peace between nations. we have had
occasion before to speak Of this sophis-
try when advanced by distinguished
writers other than tho present Secretary
OF tho Navy, and there Is nothing in the
general report Of the Secretary to, work
in us n change OF faith. All OF the rccoifl-
mendations OF tho Secretary look to vast
expenditures OF money to enlarge the navy
OF the United States. increase Its power
and make It a terror to the balance Of
the world, and his reason for all this IS
that such m armament will make oil the
guarantee peace, so far as wo arc con-
cerned. Of course, the careful reader will
find in Ill this sophistry of the Secre-
tary OF tho Navy, but a reiteration Of
the doctrine Of tho ''big stick" How
ever, It Is not our purpose to discuss that
phase Of tho subject ut this time. We
wish simply to Gull attention to tho fact
that the history OF tho past, by which
we can Judge tho future, contradicts the
theory OF a great and powerful navy be-
ing guarantee Of peace to my coun-
try, 81
In 1775-'7e 1t was claimed, as now, that
Britannia rules the sea, but whom grelt
principle was involved that claim did not
detcr few struggling and disconnected
colonies from robelling against tho power.
of ENGLAND. Despite the fact that the
mother country was the mistress of the
seas. the American colonies won't to war
and won their Independence, in the do.
ing Of which they had some wonderful
successes on the waters as we'll as o.,
the land. Again In 1872 there were states
men in this new md still undoveloped
country who thought England's mighty
navy should deter us from engaging ~
a second contest with the mother coun-
try, but principle was involved and We
fought and won. G5 M
Coming down to modern times It Is 2
fact that Spain knew very well that the
navy Of tho United States was five or
six times greater In all respects than her:
own and yet Spain did not hesitate to go
to war with the United States to main
tain what she conceived to be her rights
in the island Of Cuba. Within the past
two years we heard many men and many
theorists who thought, ana, perhaps, still
think as does the Secretary OF the Navy,
that Japan would never dare 20 fight
Russia because Of Russia's magnificent
navy. But we know now that that was
,sophistry.
We believe now, as we have always be-
lieyed. that tho reasoning Of the Secre-
tary OF the Navy and other distinguished
statesmen that q great and overpowering
navy, many war ships and ponderous
cannons, are not the peace-makers that
they are cracked up to be. So long as
human nature remains what it is. men
and nations will fight to maintain prir-
ciple regardless Of the powerful nayles,
tho big guns or the "blg sticks on the
other side. We are not prepared to ad.
nit that we are not in favor Of g pow
serful navy but we are getting tired Of
this sophistry that 1t is an international
peace-maker. S. " 4 FL; "a