Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-06-30
(By Capt. A. O. Mahan. }

How long ls the present race
of size, in shipbuilding, with steadily
inbreasing cost, TO be maintaini In
all nations the responsible parties soon
win have to recognize that naval de-
ve0opment has become a mere matter of
national competition, to which no log
ical--arsd, what is more important, no
practical---end is in sight.
This cannot endure indefinitely soon
er rather than later the represent atives
of the people will intervene, and, as us
ual, unde- such circumstances, will do
something more radical than beneficial
unless anticipated by we'll weighted
professional suggestions. Such l am
mot prepared to advance, nor, when II
comes. will 1t be the finished product
of any ones mind. !, however. am dis
tinctay of the opinion that the wiI-o'-
the-wisp- of higher speed is the chief
cause of the higher circle in which
naval officers, uneasily conscious that
fighting power must be unduly saeri- |
feed, seek refuge from the dilemma by |
increasing size This permits the de-
sired increase of speed but fails to take
into account that no fnality has been
reached. That the next ship must be
bigger, and so on. Why not take the
whole step at oncef Simply because
in this line there is no step so big that
there is not one still beyond-and no
Limit is fixed.
Bliminate the question Of size, and
other qualities will fall rapidly into
their true relative proportions. How
shall this be dcnef / see no way save
by international agreement, as, for in
stance, an accepted limitation that no
naval vessel should be built exceeding =,
n certain displacement. With that sole
restriction, leave the question Of classes
and speeds, armaments, numbers to the
determination of each state. Undoubt.
edly such Limitation would affect the
countries differently. One with rela-
lively shoal waters would be advam'ag- |.
cd by a size not transcending the chan
nels of her ports. But those enjoying
greater depths might protect them
selves in the negotiations without sac
rificing the principle of some limita.
ton In the present race, also. the
over the poores. But. as all suffer, that I
ones ncighbor suffers more is scarcely n
reason for refusal. Money spent on f
naval shipbuiIding is spent, doubtless "
within the country, but, while the bene b
tit obtains to a class, the community n
bears the burden, a
1t is said the suggested limitation n
would be artificial. Doubtless, but all Il
ane simply artificial meth
ods of solving difficulties, which, In the W
nature of things. cannot be overcome, II
the remedies of the physician are arti- p
Iiciaa means for combating disorder, g,
of nature, and the nature Of things has d
constituted now set of conditions In h
hhe obviating Of which all nations are W
Interested, though not all equally. tC
Finally, ID may be added that profes-
sicnal skill will benefit immensely when VI
fcpendance ccases to be placed mainly 81
IN increase Of bulk TO insure national al
prodominance; when limited as to size in
'cgard must be paid chiefly to the pro- fC
portion and distribution of powers in lie
he ship TO insure its best efficiency, q
Ind to professional comprehension of ia
he onduct of war to insure meeting the 70
'nemN under the circumstances and or
With the combinations which command Ii,
'ictory In campaign as on the field Of
'attie. In short, from such limitations he
y size, would result clearer COM ps
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