The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-05-15

of several of the Pacific Coast states, the
governor of Nebraska, and the executive and re-
ception committees of the California Promotion
Committee, about fifty guests in ALL Secretary
Metcalf's toast at the banquet was, Here's to
the Navy, the Right Arm of the American Nation"
Gov. Sheldon of Nebraska, representing the in
terror and farming interests of the nation, on be-
half of the California Promotion Committee, the
central organization through which local bodies
do their work, presented to Secretary Metcalf
monster petition, signed by officials of the COM
mercia organizations of Washington, Oregon,
California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii
and the Philippines This petition represented the
sentiment of nearly 100000 members, and after
reciting the defenseless condition of the United
States the Pacific, it prays that the Secretary
of the Navy order that there be maintained per-
manently Pacific waters fleet of twelve first
class batteships and eight frst-cass cruisers.
Mayor Taylor delivered address of welcome,
to which Secretary Metcalf responded very brief
ly, stating that the disposition of the feet was
matter which he was not at present prepared to
discuss. He accepted the memorial and said that
he would take it up with President Roosevelt i'm
mediately upon his return to Washington.
In communication to the President, signed
by H. H. Carr, president and treasurer of the Ma
tOnal Farmers Association, Chicago, ILL.,, we find
the following statements:
"Unpreparedness for defense is the chief
for nearly every national conquest since Noah's
time. Our vast coast line makes us exceedingly
vulnerable. A powerful fleet is army's chief
auxiliary in time of countrys invasion. With a
strong enough fleet there can be no invasion;
but without adequate means of defense our vast
wealth and unrivaled possessions might prove
tempting to some powerful nation to attempt to
make us pay them tribute History would simply
be repeating itself
"The crushing defeat of Spain, Russia, China,
etc.. striking modern examples of national de-
feat from unpreparedness through possessing
weak navies.
"Since the Spanish the United States has
become world power. Her attitude regarding
the Monroe Doctrine, and the building of the Pan
Canal practically places the whole Southern
Hemisphere under her protection, while our own
insuar possessions and vast coast line gives
additional increased responsibilities, which can
only be adequately safeguarded by a powerful
navy
81 desire a representative of the largest in
dustry in this country, it's Agriculture, both nu-
mericay and financially (Which embraces nearly
10000 900 farmers and with five to family equals
50000,00O people, more than half the nhabi-
tants of this country, to earnestly urge Congress
to add to most effective weapon of defense,
sufficient battleships annually to cause navy
to become invincibe."
The time, the place and the occasion conspire
to make the American navy prominent in the
public thought. 1t is not at all strange that it
should command high encomiums and patriotic
panegyric. 1t is an event that impresses it's pomp
and power on the behoder with peculiar force.
1t gives this coast of country prominence
that will be productive of great good and will
enhance its industrial progress However, there
are other viewpoints from which to consider the
relative value of the navy, and to them we will
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