The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-02-21

The growing commercial interest Of I
the United States in the far east is
pressing home upon Americans who
appreciate the present and the future
possibilities Of such trade and the ne
cessity Of proper safeguarding Of these
interests, and the providing Of ade-
ouate security for our position In the
Pacific ocean, which body OF water IS
now recognized by many as the prob
able future center Of the world Is
greater activities.
It may be said briefly. that the Sc
curity OF American interests IN the |
Pacific depends upon command Of the
sea. ia comparison with any probable |
antagonist; and command Of the sea
in turn depends, in addition to marine
ornaments, upon coaling stations and
naval bases. Naval armaments are
practically useless in any locality with
out convenient facilities for supply and
repair. Such facilities depend upon
two elements natural and artificial
harbors and landing places, and the
necessary depots and mechanical adj
iuncts.
The United States is already sup
piled with ample natural facilities IN
the Pacific. It remains, therefore, to
provide only the artificial element
The attributes required are dry docks
for ships Of all Sizes coal and coaling
machinery, shops provided with ma
chinery and material to make repairs
to both ships and ornaments, and de-
pots containing ample reserves Of all
needed supplies, such as food, ship
stores. arms and ammunition. Where
the natural conditions are favorable,
to provide all these things requires
only time and money
The value OF American naval bases
y 'atic waters may be said to apply
chiefly to a war between the United
States and an Asiatic power; for,
while some European nations might
conduct large naval operations in this
part OF the world, the crux Of any con
aict between America and another
q western power win not be here, and
4 no naval force alone can wrest any Of
= cur Pacific possessions from US. Only
= armies can do this, and It is not now
4 feasible for any European power tc
II assemble in the far east and trans
Of port by sea a formidable army in the
Is face Of serious opposition.
OF Asiatic nations which may con
- ceivably come into collision with the
n United States there are only two
!. China and Japan; so the proposition
Il Of the defense Of our interests an'
q possessions in this locality seriousl,
= involves only these two possibilities
IN The internal situation and military an
!, preparedness Of China removes a
~ cause for apprehension from tina
of source for many years to come; 8
- estimation Of the problem may b
Is predicated upon the comparative siti
"a alton Of the United States and Japar
of When the islands we're acquire
=. from Spain we secured two so-caile
naval bases-those at Cayite an
Olongapo. These yards are hardl
worthy Of the name in a modern sens
he the facilities being limited 70 shoI
y" where minor repairs can be mad
he There was then no dry dock at eith'
las place although at Cavite small era
sar can be shored upon ways. Since the
ng ACQUISITION the only important IL
llu movements have been the erection
a coaling plant at Cavite, a simil
plant at Olongapo now nearly cor
pleted. and the placing of the aoatil
a dock Dewey at Olongapo. There ha
been some additional quarters erect
0se at Olongapo for the accommodation
officers and marines. On the who
lle however, the work OF improving the
ua' Yards has stagnated. notwithstandi
ls that with each passing year the ne
for proper facilities has become mo
- pressing and important.
There are several contributing r.
sons for this condition The failure
congress to make appropriations
. one; but the real cause is the failv
OF the war ana navy departments
agree upon a site. six years ago
naval board was ordered TO examl
and report upon sites in the Phil
pines quite a number were exa
ined, but none except Cavite q
Olongapo have ever been seriou
considered. The navy quickly decit
that suhig bay where Olongapo is
s uated. fDlflls to a remarkable deg
an the natural requirements
manded. Plans for an elaborate b.
at Olongapo were prepared and
now waiting upon congressional
! proval.
While congress has been somew
allow, perhaps reluctant to act IN
matter. owing to uncertainty about
policy in the Philippines aud fall
fully to comprehend the importance
such q base. it is probable that
question OF a site would have been
cldod before now and the work
nltely begun had not the military
naval experts disagreed about It.
lean factions sprung into existence on'