The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-04-09
.HQBsON SEES WAR
CLOUDS tn SKY

Washington, April 8. - Pointing out
he declared to he the precarious
condition of the national defense OF the.
United. States both in the Atlantic and
the Pacific oceans, Mr.. Hohson, of L
bama. in the House of Representatives
today made an earnest plea for two
battleships of $4,000 tons displacement
in addition to the two authorized by
the naval appropriation bill. He said
tina a conservative estimate would in
iicate that for the minimum basis OF
security and safety in the Pacific ocean
the United States should lay down at
least four big shops a year for many
years to come, until Japan comedies to
US what is inevitable-the American
control of the sea around which our
possessions are scattered"
After calling attention to Americas
TACK of a merchant marine, which
could be used as auxiliaries In time of
war, and of transports necessary for
properly conducting war operations,
MIR. Hobson aid
w have almost no standing army
and could not prevent the seizure by a
foreign power of a harbor on our shores
or near our shores. to be used as a
naval base; whereas it would be prac-
tlcaliy impossible for America to secure
a naval base for operations in Euro
pean waters. Forts. mines, torpedoes,
torpedo boats and submarines are val
liable accessories, but such defenses
nave never stopped a determined COM
nlander of a great fleet. They did not
stop Nelson at Copenhagen, nor Farra-
gut at Mobile bay, nor Dewey at
Manila. Such defenses never determine
the issues of a war, and have no weight
IN deterring an enemy from seeding
war. The forts that we have are Woe
fully unnamed, whereas the troops
needed for other landward defense
could not be modified within the time
necessary"
Conflict With jean.
The possibility of a conflict with ia
pan was discussed at length by Mr..
Hobson. He said it was but perfectly
he commerce of China, the commerce
of Asia and of the Pacific ocean. And
he added it was perfectly natural for
Japan tc seek to control the policies
of China and to attain supremacy in
the Pacific ocean, and to lead the vel
low race toward a recognized suprem-
;tcy in the world.
Mr.. Hobson charged that Japanese
spies have been diligent and active
throughout the Philippines, in outlying
possessions, throughout all parts Of
America, in our forts, arsenals. ship
yards and particularly up and down
the coast along the Pacific, in noting
the elements of Americas defence and
mapping and charting harbors.
Drifting Toward War.
In conclusion Mr.. Hobson said:
1T may be that at this
critical juncture, when the world is
drifting towards wars, that the failure
on The part of America to build UP the
naval power adequate to keep peace in
the Pacific ocean will be liable to en-
tail no only a war between America
and Japan, but ultimately a war be-
tween the white race and the yellow
race, and engender d hatred and anger
between the races that would prevent
the ARRIVING OF the gospel of peace
throughout Asia. The true policy for
a Christian to advocate is to have his
country, the greatest peace country.
keep the peace, secure and create the
opportunity for the church to reach the
mErlads of Asia and carry the gospel
until every knee shall bow