Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-23
KEEP FLEET ON
PACIFIC COAST
PROMINENT MEN CONCUR IN
HERALD'S IDEA
LEADING CITIZENS STRONGLY
FAVOR PLAN
New Responsibilities Bring Closer
Danger of War, and Pacific, Not
Atlantic, VIII Feel Next
Contest


ions are entitled to consideration, have
been interviewed by reporters for Los
Angeles Herald with view to ascer-
tanning definitely the best public SEN
timent with regard to the protection
of the Pacific coast, and there is not
q shadow of doubt that the best pup
lie sentiment is unanimously in favor
of O strong Pacific fleet. 1t is realized
by all thinking men that the scene OF
the next great world shaking war Will
be the Pacific, not the Atlantic. west
ward the course of empire has taken
its way, creating new responsibilities,
and with responsibilities, the danger
of war Not only is that danger ap-
preciated by citizens interviewed, and
by all who share their opinions, but,
lest Washington might gain the err
roneous impression that 1t Is merely
dread of a possible foe that ilnpels
Californians to voice a demand for
a permanent naval force, 1t is pointed
out also that American commercial de-
velopment and trade expansion In the
Pacific and the Orient will need the
protecting services of patroling fleet.
The course of commercial empire does
not end with the shore line. 1t con-
tinues until west meets east, and the
far-dung banner of American COM
merce must never lack the prestige
and security that only powerful Pa
cific fleet can give to 1t. The repre-
sentative citizens who were interviewed
are agreed that whether for peace or
for war, Pacific naval stations must
be established, and they must not be
naval stations in name only. The Ia
cific must have a strong navy.
Following expressions of opinion on
this important subject were obtained;
Judge 3. NJ. Smith
Judge B. N. Smith-Like every
American citizen who swears by ms
country and his flag / want to see
a good, big fleet maintained here in
the Pacific ocean. 1t stands to rea-
son. and everyone of observation un-
derstands, that the Pacific ocean is to
be the great battle-ground for COM
mercial supremacy in the future.
do not believe there will be any great
war, but there will be fight for su-
premacy Of commerce which Will ex-
tend to three-fourths of the population
OF the world.
The United States Is fortunately sit
uated in that regard, where we have
300 to 900 miles of coastline the Ha-
waiian islands with their great har-
bors; the island of Guam, with its
splendid facilities for naval station,
and the Philippines, within 500 miles
of the coast of Asia and China. With
proper advantage taken of our re-
sources and facilities we are sure to
become the controlling power in the
Pacific, and IL the "wust comes to
the wust," we can put a fleet on the
Pacific that can whip anything that
may come along.
Great Britain has the world to look
after, and France and Germany as
we'll as other nations are Interested
in the far east, and they cannot begin
can.
We need the ships, and they should
remain here.
Judge C. II. Hutton
Judge C. H. Hutton--The nations
bordering on the Atlantic ocean would
not engage in war against each other
under any conceivable circumstances
because of their close commercial and
financial arrangements. If the world
should be so unfortunate as to see
another great naval war, the reason
able probabilities would seem to indi-
cate that 1t will be fought in the Pa
cific ocean or in the Indian ocean.
1t would therefore seem to me to
be the part of wisdom to keep the
strongest arm of the navy in the Pa
cific waters where 1t is most likely
to be needed.
Judge Hutton also took occasion to
speak of the good results to be OBJ
tained by the American lad in joining
the navy. ST look upon the service
IL
the very best thing young man can
have, and would, therefore, like to see
a great many men on the Pacific coast
enlisted"
Judge NJ. p. Conrey
Judge N. P. Conrey-I am hardly in
a position to discuss with familiarity
the question of naval affairs. These
things are for the heads of the gov
ernment to decide. But I believe the
time has come when the ships of the
navy should be represented on the Pa
cific coast, and I have no doubt that
from this time on the nucleus of a
navy will be maintained here and de-
veloped with the development of the
country and of our international re-
lations along the Pacific ocean.
Judge J. C. Rives
Judge j. C. Rives-The upbuilding
of the west, it's advancement and
wealth have made the keeping of a
fleet in our waters the greatest propo-
sition on the map of the world. STRAIT
egy and everything else demands that
fleet should be kept in the Pacific.
Our possessions extend from the Arc
tic to the equator and beyond, and we
certainly need a formidable gathering
of warships in these waters,
Judge w. p. James
Judge w. p. James-An adequate ma
vol IoiSS Slloulu De maintained on the
Pacific. The extension of American
possessions and the expansion of trade
IN this direction seem to make clear
the necessity for the more complete
protection of our ports. In the event
of trouble with any power likely to
come into conflict with the United
States at any time in the near future
the islands would probably be the first
to suffer attack, which might extend
even to this coast. Speaking as a lay
man altogether, and without any tech
nical knowledge of what may be proper
distribution of the war vessels as be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
my belief is that the long line of sea-
board here is not as fully policed by
the navy as 1t should be.
District Attorney Fredericks
District Attorney j. D. Fredericks-
The Atlantic coast with it's great
stretch of coast line is fully protected,
fortifications being located at every i'm
portant point. We are not so favorably
situated and cannot be within the next
twenty years. Hence we need. ships,
and many of them. All that needs to
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