West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-02-20
BIG TWO OCEAN NAVY
Best Method of Avoiding War,
Claims Justice Harlan.
DOES NOT EXPECT ONE SOON.

But II May Come Unexpectedly, Be-
iieves Supreme Court Jurist, IL Ma.
ton 10 Not Prepared-Thinks All
Our seaports Should BE Made Strong
Justice John Marshall Harlan's talk
at the recent Navy league dinner In
Washington. when he prophesied
war some time between the white and
yellow races which would shake the
earth" and at the same time entered
a vigorous plea for immediate and
substantial increase OF the navy, has
aroused the widest interest In Wash
ington. says special dispatch to the
New York Times.
1t has not been possible TO obtain n
full stenographic report OF what JUS
tice Harlan said. and he declines to be
quoted In further explanation Of his
views II is possible, however. to give
In substance an outline OF some OF the
views OF the justice.
He believes IL to be OF paramount
Importance to make immediate aud ex-
tensiye preparation for war, not be-
cause he apprehends the occurrence OF
war with any nation. but because he
believes that In the most efficient prep
aration for 1t lies the best method OF
avoiding Il.
This thorough preparation, In his
opinion, involves the creation OF a
great two ocean navy, aud II he had
his way he would, as he said at the
Navy league dinner, vote SOC, O0O, 900 a
year for ten years for the construction
OF battleships and the general equip
ment OF the navy. In his view &c Is
not only necessary to increase mate
rally the number or fighting ships, but
TO see that from year To year others
are constructed to take the places of
those which are outgrown In point OF
hghting ability by the advance In M.
val construction.
He believes that nation which Is
weak In martial spirit or which has
not strong navy Is In danger OF be.
ing forced into war when IL Is not de-
sired and when the nation Is least able
to meet such an emergency. The Amer.
lean people are not for conquest, he
says, and do not want war. There is
no territory that they desire, and the
probable fact is that they have more
now than they desire. They would
have rejected emphatically the Philip.
pines as gift; but. having assumed
the responsibility for them as IN act
OF war. they are bound TO live up to
that responsibility and discharge the
duty 1t imposes on them by affording
the Islands the fullest protection.
In conjunction, therefore, with his
belief in the obligation TO build ships
he holds that II Is the duty Of the
country to fortify thoroughly every
seaport under the American dag and
make IL impregnable. War comes sud-
denly. he says. and from the most
peaceful outlook II may develop before
1t IL possible to make preparations or
even build a battleship. much less n
navy.
AS he views the general outlook for
the United States there Is no nation
with which we are In any prospect OF
having war. But that does not impair
the obligation OF the country to make
ready for the unforeseen emergency.
President Mckinley strove TO his ut
most to prevent war with Spain. but
In spite OF him II came and I'm less
time from the moment when IL was
FIRST suggested than IL takes to con-
struct even one OF the smallest naval
vessels.
Although Justice Harlan believes
that the time is coming when there
Will be gigantic contest for suprem-
acy between the white and yellow
races. he does not apprehend that the
struggle Is at all imminent When II
does come, he wants the United States
TO be thoroughly ready. and one OF the
hrst elements OF preparation. In his
opinion. is the creation and mainte-
nance Of a great two ocean navy.