New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-26

Famous Philanhropist Prefers the Pan-Amercan
Railway o q Great Navy Defensive Purposes.

eign troops for time. That WOULD not be de-
cisive.
When France placed Macmillan in Mexico we
had civil war on hand Lincoln and Seward
waited patiently till that was settled and then
Mr. Seward asked the French Ambassador II
he did not think Mexico was good country
for the French to migrate from" They went
home So it would be again under similar cir
cunlstances. No matter which European power
tried the experiment, the fact that we have
now rail- communication with Mexico insures
her against territorial loss without aid from the
navy. So it will be with all South America
when the railroad is extended southwark.
Defending the Monroe Doctrine by means or
a great navy without which the President
thinks II is much waste paper, would cost
fabulous sum. and the defence would stun De
uncertain. The budget for the navy this year
is S100,000.000. Last year We spent on m
crease of the navy ST.. 0000. If we are spend
ing this wear $50 coo 600 on increase, that means
so, 000 900 for maintenance alone. 1t is NOT
the cost of warships of which we have to THINK,
it is that the cost of maintenance is tWo-thlrds
of the entire cost of the navy: When we maze
spent S30,000,000 In a year in increasing the
navy, the expenditure on construction ceases
until the ships built are obsolete say IN Ten
years but meantime every year We spend SiU'-
100000 in maintenance.
On the other hand the railway, which gives
us far more effective defence, would at least
be sef-sustaining from the first and eventual
ly, population increased, would pay interest
upon its cost.
Instead of going forward building large and
costly navy. it would be true craftsmanship If
we contributed. say, only one years cost OF the
navy-S1O00 0000-and asked the South Amer
lean republics TO contribute the remaining $751;
100000 necessary, and thus settle this Monroe
Doctrine for all time. 1t would only be loan
for few years, and eventually cost nothing.
The continental railway can be urged upon
other grounds It would enormously increase
our trade where it is surprisingly small
Business from South America would soon
visit us and make their purchases Direct lines
nf Cfa
urally follow. which to-day much lack and
steadily our South America brethren would de-
pend upon and more for supplies which
now they obtain from Europe. The American
republics would become a brotherhood.
The history of the railway would be that of our
lines to the Pacific; it would finally become
profitable. In the case of the Pacific railroads
government aid was necessary for the first one.
If our government guaranteed the bonds of this
continental line as it has guaranteed those OF
railroads in the Philippines, it would in my
Judgment, make a very wise of it's credit.
Even If 1t had to guarantee the whole Of the
sllo,o0o.O0o, under advantageous provision with
our South American neighbors, provided a re-
sponsible corporation We're formed to build the
me 1t would save hundreds Of millions Of dol
lars for the American people, thereby a huge
navy needed for the maintenance of the Monroe
Doctrine, according 70 the President and the
unnecessary. The S115,G0O,000 which would
give the railway would not 20 very far
to secure the large navy. This sum would build
only twenty battleships. If we take two
thirds OF it as necessary to maintain the ships
@SelI. oIIy blA or seven DaItl6SnlpE. cost
Ing, say, 100000 900. could be obtained reouir-
ing the balance OF S11500O0Oo for rnainte-
nance
The proposition really is: Six battIeships add
ed TO our navy and provision made for their
maintenance. against railway connection with
Buenos Ayres; the cost of a great navy being
perpetual and without cessation. year after wear
the cost of the railroad ceasing soon after il is
put IN operation Warships become obsolete In
a few years; the railroad is everlasting and
constantly improves. The ships are always sub
1ect 10 attack by foes. the railway is immune
The ships require cash year after year which
never returns; the railroad, simply loan of our
credit for few years.
Such the contrast
NewYork. March 21 1906 :"