New-York tribune., 1908-07-23
FOR FIGHTING NAVY
Continued from first page.

not taken them not particle of difference would
be made as regards the needs of naval pol
icies There has beer division among this
people to taking the Philippines There has
been division the Monroe Doctrine
division on building, maintaining policing and
defending the Panama Canal. division about
Hawaii and Porto Rico. division about keep
ing Alaska, which. though on the continent, is
just as much separated if II were island.
no division about asserting our superior right
TO defend and protect Cuba. Not Of the
courses of action thus outlined be followed
out excepting with first class navy. The Mon
roe Doctrine was in danger Of falling not merely
into disuse, but into contempt, until we began
to build up our navy The Monroe Doctrine
won't be observed by foreign nations with suff1-
cient strength to disregard. when once il be-
comes their interest TO disregard 1t, unless we
nave favy sufficient to make our assertion OF
the doctrine good. The Monroe Doctrine un
backed by navy is empty boast, and there
exist but few more contemplate characters,
individual or national. than the nation
who boasts and, when the boast is challenged
fails to make good
If We have coast defence navy only had
better at once turn over the Panama Canal to
some stronger and braver nation which would
not limit itself merely to q coast defence navy
and could protect IT. II we should limit our
selves merely to a navy that would conf1ne to
defensive war-war certain in the end to be
unsuccessful-it would be well at 10 give
up Hawaii TO give up Porto Rico. to give up
Alaska, and to say that we had no more interest
in Cuba than the smallest outside powers. If
we intend to claim to be great nation. then
we must nit ourselves that may be ready
at need TO make good that claim. That can
be done only by building up and maintaining
at the highest point of efficiency the United
States navy.
CHANCES OF WAR SMALL
There is curious corollary to what am just
saying. If We really make good the claim the
chances are lnfinitesimai that it will be
necessary to do The real chance of for
this nation comes only if combine a policy
others with policy of helpiessness TO hold our
own if our right to do wish is challenged
If, on the other hand. We are ready in very fact
to hold own, the chance becomes infntesi-
that we Will be called upon to dc
But constituted this people is. if We did not
nave foreign possession, If We abandoned the
Monroe Doctrine If handed over to some
other power the Panama Canal, it would still be
necessary for us TO have navy, and strong
fighting navy.
We do not want any navy at all. if it is not
a first class one, and such navy will be neces-
sary for us just so long as we demand the rignt
TO administer national affairs as ave think
best. This country is yet in its youth. In
the process of building up many hundreds OF
thousands OF immigrants are coming here from
all parts of the world, representing many olf-
ferent nationalities, many different strata OF
cultivation and of civilization In consequence,
there points of friction between this coun-
try and other countries such as exist In no
other nation.
Ultimately, and / think at not very far dis
tant period this country grows up. 1t becomes
more and more important that should keep
on the highest possible level the plane or living
of our workingman, for the chief end OF a ma
tiOnal pOlCg IN the country NC " hSNp
on the highest level Of prosperity the tiler OF
the soil and the wage worker. for the prosperity
of all other classes will follow their prosperity;
therefore, gentlemen, as IL becomes more anu
more important to keep that prosperity on a
high level it is very possible that we shali nave
to exercise a continually greater supervision, a
continually greater exercise of the right or re-
lection among immigrants that come hlther.
and shall. il may be, take an attitude tnat VIII
tend at first to provoke friction Now, IL IS our
undoubted right to say what people, What per
sons shall come to this country to live, 10 work.
to become citizens.
The theory of certain of our fellow citizens
that we can permanently follow policy OF
peace with insult is erroneous. We must stand
UP for our rights. firmly but temperately ana
courteousy and with all possible respect not
merely for the rights. but for the feelings o1
others.
1t is absolutely necessary that if We claim
for ourselves the right to choose who snail come
here we shall be in trim TO uphold that right IL
any power challenges it, and IT cannot De upheio
by words. it cannot be upheld by coast oe-
fence navy 1t can be upheld only by the pos
session of an efficient fighting navy, navy
able to preserve the honor and the interest OF
the United States, not by inviting attack on 6u. our
shores and then seeing if we cannot repel IL, put
by taking such action shall guarantee us
against our shores being attaced
MONROE DOCTRINE UNCHALLENGED.
At the present day the Monroe Doctrine is
unchaIlenged, and the people abroad who used
to sneer d it say it is pretty good doc
trine after all; useful doctrine on the whole
for the peace of the world. What has produced
that change? Words? Not bit of it. Diplo-
macy? only in so far as diplomacy rested on
the substantial basis of potential force The
voyage of the sixteen battleships around South
America through the Strait of Magellan, from
Hampton Roads TO Puget Sound-that was the
most instructive object lesson that had ever
been afforded TO the reality of the Monroe
Doctrine.
Now, gentlemen. / wish to reiterate. with just
as much earnestness as ! have spoken to-day on
ether subjects. that l want a resistless fighting
navy because it is the most effective guarantee
Of peace that this country can have. Uncle
Sam can well afford to pay for his peace and
safety so cheap insurance policy as Is i'm
piled in the maintenance of the United States
navy All of the leaders of cur people are fond
Of assuring this people that il is a great people
We are a great people. That ought not be
subject for boastfulness; it ought to be sub
iect for serious consideration, because of the
heavy responsibilities that go with it, We can
not help playing great part in the world. but
we can very easily help playing that part well,
and be great people and make great IAN
ure is as unattractive a picture as history af-
fords 1t is not open TO US 10 decide whether or
mn. the career that we lead shall be important;
in has got to be important. All we can decide
is as to whether success shall be great or
our failure great; are sure tc make either
great failure or great success
| would not pretend for moment, gentlemen,
to --ou or any else. that merely military pro-
fciency on land would by itself make
this or any other nation great. First and fore
most come the duties within the gates of our
own household. first and foremost our DUTY is
TO strive to bring about a better administrator
Of Justice, cleaner, Juetci iuoiC
ods in our political business and social life, the
reign Of that orderly liberty which was the hrst
in the minds of the FOUNDERS OF
this Republic Our duties at home are or lrst
ironortance but our duties abroad are OF vital
consequence also This nation may fail. no mat
tar now well il keeps itself prepared against the
OF disaster from abroad But 1t VIII
certainly fail If we do not thus keep ourselves
nranared We need greatly, in the interest or
na.ce in the interest of true national greatness,
tta+ the T-nited States navy with its ships its
officers its enlisted men, shall at every point De