The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-04-22
TO PROTECT COAST.
Secretary of Navy Requested To Take
Steps Which VIII Lead to
This CopsuInnatiO,i.

The commercial organizations of
the Pacific states have been invited
| by the California Promotion commit
tee to cooperate in the great move
ment TO bring about the proper naval
protection for the Pacific coast by
maintaining in the Pacific ocean an
adequate feet of war vessels. I'm
usual interest has been displayed in
this proposition and the people are
thoroughly aroused to the necessity
of preserving the commercial supre-
macy of the Pacific ocean to the Unit
ed States by such means.
In the past the Atlantic has been
the home of the American navy,
while the Pacific fleet has been in
name only, it having consisted of a
fe wcruisers and gunboats Recently,
however, the Importance of the Pa
cific, both commercially and strate-
Sically. has been recognized, and
while in the past the custom has been
10 speak OF the Pacific coast as the
back door OF the United States. that
day is now past and our house has
two front doors. Besides this, our
most important over sea possessions
are in the Pacific. These possessions
and this commerce must be afforded
protection, and such protection can
only be given by the means of an
adequate naval force.
1t is believed that this matter prop
erly presented to the administration
at Washington, will result in the
maintaining of such force in Pa
citic waters, and the California Pro-
rotion committee has taken up the
matter through its various agencies
ard connections, not only throughout
California. but throughout Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada
and Arizona. The various CONNER
cial organizations throughout these
states west of the great Rock noun
tain acknowledgements with the
commercial OF CARNATIONS of the tor
ritory of Hawaii, Alaska and the
Philippines-have been invited to
cooperate with the committee "
this matter by addressing a request
e the secretary OF the navy, couched
in the following terms
70 the Honorable the Secretary OF
the Navy:
I'VE re.pec fully petition for prop
or and adequate naval protection FOR
Inc Pacific coast of the United
States.
I'VE realize that with the con-
stantly growing commerce of the
Pacific, this ocean IS to be the scene
of TIE future struggle for commercial
supremacy. and that to no nation is
TINS supremacy more essential than
20 the United States.
I'VE realize that the Pacific coast
of the United States is in such I'M
protected condition that incalculable
damage could be done to the nation,
and move especially to that part of
1t lyirg On the Pacific ocean, by
foreign enemy. before an adequate
feet for protection and defense could
he mohiliZed on Atlantic waters and
sem to Pacific waters.
"Therefore we respectfully pray
that ,ou will. in the exercise of YOU
authority, order that there be main
tanned permanently upon the Pacific
ocean a fleet of warships consisting
of not 'ess than twelve first class bat
tleships and eight large armore1
CT uiscrs."
This document is being signed by
all the commercial organizations end
sent to Rufus P. Jennings, chairman
of the California Promotion commit
tee, California building. Union
Square. San Francisco. The idea is
t., present the wishes Of the people
in this manner to the secretary Of
the navy at the time the entire fleet
Is in San Francisco bay.