The Washington times., 1905-09-13
NapieS Will Dominate
Warfare of the Future
An Authority on Naval Matters Shows How
Well the United States Is Situated as
Compared to Other Nations.

two countries would unite against Eng
land Let il be observed in passing that
and England. an idea dwelt upon by
foolish hot-heads in both countries, ap-
pears absurd to any one who credits
the statesmen or the public opinion OF
these countries with common sense.
What could either England or Ger
many gain by a WARP or Russia MOTH
ing need be said. Her navy has for the
present vanished. Her future naval
poIicy with reyolrtion seethinar all over
the empire is outside the sphere of pre-
diction, one might almost say Of con-
lecture.
Great Britain. far ahead of all other
countries in the sums she devotes to her
navy. has no doubt far stronger reasons
than any other for imposing on herself
burden which Is now four times az
heavy as II was in 1880. She has I'm
mense territories beyond the oceans
which she must defend She maintains
comparatively small home army. and
must. therefore, trust for her defense
against invasion to her fleet She Is
D0und to protect her elf-gcveTning colo
nes, none of which Except Australia to
very small eXtenO maintain vessels
OF war She has an immense mercantile
marine She depends for her food supply
on imports brought for the most part
Nom great distance In these facts
there Is ample justification for the main
tenance Of navy strong enough TO pre-
vent any invasion and to protect her
commerce. so far as il is possible for
vessels
| ing all over the world.
United States Is Safe.
THE Urited States occupies the whole
width of q continent has an abundance
| of food at home, possesses a compara-
lively small mercantile marine. The
| United States does not need a navy as
defense against invasion. for no in
vasion could hope to succeed. America
Is practically unassailable-
IF her enemy were able to blockads
her coasts, she would doubtless suffer
| by the temporary interruption OF COM
merce But her home market Is far
more important than her foreign mar
bet, and she has at home almost every
| thing that she needs
who could attack her with any pros
pect of ultimate success? Americans
| themselves do not seem 10 realize the
| full strength OF their strategicai posi-
| ton. nor how true it is that In naval
! war victory must ultimately go to the
| nation which commands the largest re-
sources Even assuming courage ana
! science to be equal. the power wnlen
| " Is certain TO prevail, and 10 Sucn a
! power the monetary loss OF control OF
! part of the sea or or an Island Woclo
| be a matter of small consequence. De
cause being sure to come out winner N
the end, she would recover everything.
s'It is sometimes argued that America
I needs a great navy in order TO expand
her foreign trade and become great
exporting country The connection OF
these things is not obvious She Is al
4 ready an immense exporter OF her nat
ural products and she can become an
immense exporter OF manufactured
goods, also. whenever she pleases- This
object will be most directly attained. not
by spending more on unreproouct1Ve
! purposes in Guadrup;ing her navy, but
by lowering the present protective tariff
| IF America desires TO have q gigantic
navy she has both The right and the
| means TO indulge her desire The QGeS-
| tion that occurs 10 Europeans, who re-
| gret the sums they find themselves led
| on 10 spend is, rather this:
Does America need gigantic navy? ?''