Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-07-16

Fleet is the sincere expression OF
community of American citizens who
not only love the Flag and all that
It represents, but also fully under
stand what a great navy means to
the United States.
We take pride in the men Of the
Fleet because they are brave and
C!ear-headed men.
We enthuse over the Fleet because
it is the expression of long-headed,
common-sense American statesman
ship.
The great ships Of the now accept
ed second naval power Of the world
inspire pride and satisfaction among
the Americans of this great strategic
center and lovely land. Pride that
the ships are well built and we'll
manned; ready to uphold the unfair
nished record of the United States
Navy. Satisfaction because We in
Hawaii see in these ships a splendid
proof OF the fact that the American
people are fully aroused to the neces-
stiles of peace and what our country
must have to uphold its dignity in
every part Of the world.
For a full nifty years a handful Of
far-seeing men at Washington and q
handful Of pioneers In Hawaii have
been holding the fort Of America q
future In the Pacific. At the same
time they have striven hard to i'm
press on the work-a-day mainlander
that the field of the worlds future
activities is indeed In the Pacific. and
there are certain things that must
be done II America is to command.
These men have met with the most
heart-breaking Indifference at times.
But the struggle to convince the
great body OF their fellow-citizens
has not Jagged. nor has 1t been with
out result.
The cause was right; 1t was Just.
The few men in Hawaii and the
band of workers in Washington have
been thrice armed,
Americas continental insularity
has gone. 1t was bound to go II the
country continued to progress.
And this tour of the great Atlantic
Fleet has, we hope, brought home to
our feIlow-citizens Of the mainland
that the first requisite OF continued
progress is matchless naval force
We of Hawaii do not lay claim tc
superior foresight when We say that
We have known this for years. and
have necessarily labored to convince
those living in satisfied security be-
hind continental barriers. 1t is moi
superiority that we claim.
Americans in Hawaii are on thu
border. They are in the midst o
things. They have brought daily an,
hourly to their attention the fact
and developments of the worlds prog
ress that he who runs may read.
The lessons of each day hav
brought them invariably back to tn
same conclusion-the indelible fac
that the ability of America to play It
part In the development Of civiliza
tion and maintain continued peac
depends primarily on its Navy.
America may raise the greatest al
mics the world has ever seen. 1t ma
build up false hopes on the command
ing influence of its tremendou
wealth. 1t may boast of its abilit
to convince the world that wal
should cease. 1t may preach all tn
doctrines 1t pleases. But without
great Navy to act the part of
peace-preserver all the Wanted pow
er of armies, wealth, and beautff,
theories are hollow shams explode
In a twinkling by careless or inter
tional match in the powder magazir
Of international affairs.
This Is not said with reference
recent events that have been
greatly exaggerated in the minds
the mainlanders. It is a matter
common knowledge and has been I,
years to the Americans of Hawaii.
Is Fact.
Consequently. when we Of Hawa
see our country rising to the occ
sion. we have good cause to rejoit
When we see the people respondil
TO the call Of the leaders to tu
their faces to the west, the mid-Pac
&c. and the Far East. we know o
Country understands.
So Our ships coming to Honolu