Daily Arizona silver belt., 1907-12-04
best type should be provided for all our greatest harhnrs

best type should be provided for all our greatest harbors.
 We need always to remember that in time of war the Navy is not to be used to defend harbors and seacoast cities we should perfect our system of coast Notifications. The only efficient use for the Navy is for offense. The only way in which it can efficiently protect our own coast against the possible ac. tion of foreign navy is by destroying that foreign navy. For defense against hostile fleet which actually attacks them, the coast cities must depend upon their forts, mines, torpedoes, submarines and torepdo boats and destroyers. All of these together are efficient for de- fensive purposes, but they in no way supply the place of thoroughly eff cient navy capable of acting on the offensive; for parrying never yet won fight. It can only be won by hard hitting, and an aggressive sea-going navy alone can do this hard hitting of the offensive type. But the forts and the like are necessary so that the Navy may be footloose. In time of war there is sure to be demand, under pressure of fright, for the ships to be scattered so as to defend all kind of ports. Under penalty of terrible disaster, this demand must be refused. The ships must be kept together, and theis objective made the enemies fleet. If Qualifications are sufficiently strong, no modern navy will venture to attack them, so long as the foe has in existence a hostile navy of anything like the same size or efficiency. But unless there exists such a navy then the Notifications are powerless by themselves to secure the victory. For of course the mere deficiency means that any resolute enemy can at his leisure combine all his forces upon one point with the certainty that he can take it..
 Until our battle fleet is much larger than at present it should never be split into detachments so far apart hat they could not in even of emergency be speedily united. Our coast line is on the Pacific coast just as much as on the Atlantic. The interests of California Oregon and Washington are as emphat- ically the interests of the whole Union as those of Maine and New York, of Louisiana and Texas. The battle fleet should now and then be moved to the
 
 be kept on the Atlantic When the 18th milan Canal is built the transit of the battle fleet from one ocean to the other will be comparatively easy. Until it is built l earnestly hope that the battle fleet will be thus shifted between the two oceans every year or two. The craftsmanship on all our ships has inn proved phenomenally during the last five years. Until within the last two or three years it was not possible to train a battle fleet in squadron maneu- vers nnder service conditions, and it is only during the last two or three years that the training under these conditions has become really effective. Another and most necessary stride in advance is now being taken. The battle fleet is about starting by the Straits of Magel- Ian to visit the Pacific coast Sixteen battleships are going under the com mand of Rear-Admiral Evans, while eight armored cruisers and two othe- battleships will meet him at San Fran cisco, whither certain torpedo destroy CTS are also going. No fleet of such size has ever made such voyage and it will be of very great educational use to all engaged in it. The only way by which to teach officers and men how to handle the fleet so as to meet every possible strain and emergency in time of war is to have them practice under similar conditions in time of peace Moreover, the only way to find out our actual needs is to perform in time of peace whatever maneuvers might be necessary in time of war. After war is declared it is too late ta find out the needs; that means to invite disaster This trip to the Pacific will show what some of our needs are and will enable us to provide for them. The proper place for an officer to learn his duty is at sea, and the only way in which navy can ever be made efficient is by practice at sea. under all the conditions which would have to be met if war existed.
 I bespeak the most liberal treatment for the officers and enlisted men of the Navy. It is true of them. as likewise of the officers and enlisted men of the Army, that they form body whose interests should be close to the heart of every good American. In return the most rigid performance of duty should be exacted from them. The reward should be ample when they do their best; and nothing less than their best should be tolerated.