The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-02-05

spot ever offered to the enemies of
country. We are in charge of the Pa
mama canal-a physical and political
obligation which we could not avoid
We remember how Boston and Balti-
more and Charleston shrieked for pro-
lection when Cervera's four rusty
cruisers We're crossing the ocean. With
knowledge of these and other facts it
is idiocy to suppose that we can hesi-
tate at charging our naval strength.
Great plans manifestly for the pro-
lection and sound administration of
the United States rise above
the level of party. to the plane
Of national necessity, and compel the
support of all the peoples represent
aives independently of politics. Such
a plan is that now in process for de-
veloping the navy, which now calls for
an appropriation of, roughly hun
dred millions. 1t is incumbent upon
the party of the people not only to
concede support of the plan, but to
assume it's furtherance and become
foremost in it's development.
Even were there some division of
public sentiment upon the matter, and
could democracy consistently oppose
the development upon SO large a scale.
it would not behoove the party for the
mere purpose of opposition to do so.
| But the fact is that there is no di-
vision upon the question of a sufficient
navy: nor would the people tolerate
an attempt to make thereof a party is
sue.
In view of the democratic party's
position in urging the Cuban war it
cannot antagonize the development of
our strength al sea- Nor at this date
can opposition be based upon objection
to republican imperialism. Although
the greatest mistake ever made by this
country was the reaching out with an
attenuated imperialistic arm for the
Philippines. the fact now to be consid-
competence of the United States must
be preserved under the complex cOndi-
tons of the Oriental situation. We
may not thank our republican brethren
for assuming the incumbrance Of those
difficulties, but We must, now that the
title devolves upon us, maintain it
tittingly
Nothing less than a formula BILE naval
power will suffice for the permanent
observance which we demand of the
powers for our Monroe doctrine. This
great international policy will not sur
vive propria vigore, but by-to state it
bluntly-the force of American guns.
Further, the isthmian canal multiplies
our obligations and naval necessities.
The navy increase and the Panama
treaty are. in a large phase, related
matters. They both come upon the
broad plane of American essentials.
Assuming the vital need of construct
| ing and maintaining the canal under
our proprietorship. how imperative be-
comes the demand for greater navy.
BY opening the waterway We merely
invite difficulties, unless We provide
A commensurate, adequate increase in
naval strength. Having merely opened
the canal. We should be but creating
an advantage for powers which pos
sess superior fighting strength. In
| cidentally, it will not do to base OPP
position to the canal upon such an ar
| gument as our lack of power to main
| tain fit proprietorship and regulation
| of it, nor will it do to obstruct the ma
val appropriation for the purpose of
setting up such a palpably academic
objection.
! Last, but not least. is the CONNER
ciaI consideration. On the sea We rank
with the first nations AS a business
| nation To protect our enormous
wealth constantly traversing the ocean
a great navy is Indispensable neces-
sary form of marine insurance. as
Lord Beresford recently observed
Our rapidly growing sea commerce
will demand greater protection thar
our present array of fighting ships
| could guarantee indefinitely.
] POPI'LISTS OF WALL STREET.