The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-29
WHICH IS THE BETTER.

1t is known that the administration. led by the President, wants Congress to provide for an appropriation of one hundred million dollars year, If so much shall be found necessary, for the purpose of building new and enormous warships, and for keeping up the army and navy on scale of magnihcence commensurate with their enlarged ideas of our Uncle Sams ambition. On the Missouri, has introduced a bill to ap- pfopfiate fifty million dollars year, for ten years, for internal improve ments, and especially for the develop ment and maintenance of inland water ways.
 These are the two opposite and op- posing propositions now confronting Congress, if we correctly understand the conditions, and the question for the members to decide Is whether they will adopt either. neither or both. It is hardly to be supposed that an effort will be made to carry out the wishes of both sides. for the revenues of the country would not bear 1t, so that it may finally come to a question of in- fiuence or of endurance, and the final end may be that neither side will suc- ceed.
 The Kansas City Journal, Republican though 1t Is, and generally one of the Presidents supporters, is not with him on this proposition. It contends that the danger of war during the next ten years is very remote. This country cer- tainly cherlshes no dreams of conquest and has no cause of quarrel with any other nation. No foreign power be- lieves 1t could successfully attack this country, or has any cause for quarrel with us. The United States Is univer. sally recognized as the greatest worlds power. It's isolated position makes 1t secure against foreign invasion and ev. cry European chaneellory at least real
 Ees that war with us would precipitate disasters and probably ruin at home. Every statesman, European or Oriental. knows that with our vast resources of men and money tho ultimate triumph would be on our side. In former years there was a doubt of Yankee courage. suspicion as to our willingness and ability to fight. The little brush with Spain opened Europe's eyes on that score and doubt and suspicion have changed to wonder and admiration, es- peciaIly regarding our fast and straight shooting gunners. The ease and thor oughness with which we licked the Dons, poor and effete though Spain may have been. has convinced the wise heads who direct the affairs of nations. that the prudent course would be to let the Yankees alone"
 As The Advertiser has many times contended, the idea that our govern ment should keep on building larger and still larger war vessels in order that this government might outclass all others, is an absurd and pernicious one. It is absurd. because it Is not suppos- able that other nations would stand still and see us overtop them in the size and strength of our navy Such inaction would be contrary to all his tory of nations. and the natural result would be that nations would bankrupt themselves in the effort to outdo each other And the idea is a pernieious one. because it not only means the out lay of immense sums of money, but tends to place the United States in the attitude of bully who seeks 10 bull, doze all other countries ot tea earth
 It is the big stick" ides applied to ma val affairs %r@ no one should he sur- prised that ,t is Roosevelt's pet policy but it is to be hoped that Congress will