Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-19
FORTIFIED CANAL
STRATEGIC FOLLY"
ReynoId Blight of the Los Angeles
Fellowship Scores the Plan
for Guns at Panama
LESSON IN THE NEUTRAL SUEZ
Waterway, He Declares, Can Be
Adequately Protected by
Treaties with Nations
LESSON IN THE NEUTRAL SUEz

The question, "Shall America fortify
the Panama canal?" was answered in
the negative by Reynold E. Blight,
minister of the Los Angeles Fellowship,
in a vigorous prelude yesterday morn
ing His impassioned appeal to Ameri-
ca to lead the world in a movement
toward universal disarmament was re-
ceived with applause by the large au-
dience. He said in part:
1--WE are spending over $3.50, 100000 to
build the Panama canal. 1t will be a
triumph of engineering, splendid
monument to American genius, and 1t
will be of inestimable value to the
entire world. The opening of the canal
to commerce will be one of the epochal
events of history.
TREATIES ALONE REQUIRED
"The forti1cation of the Panama
canal would be a strategic folly. Forti-
fled, it would be the shining mark for
attack in case of war. A well-directed
fire from the guns of the enemy would
reduce this magnificent and benefcent
work to a heap of ruins in few hours
Unfortified and protected by treaties
among the nations guaranteeing Its
perpetual neutrality, 1t would be bul-
wark of national strength. We have
significant and perfect illustration IN
the Suez canal, owned by Great Britain.
Although Europe has been shaken
again and again during the last CEN
tury by mighty wars, the great canal
. has been safe from attack, its neutral
ization removing 1t from the war zone
Whatever danger there may be from
attack by alien enemies, 1t Is greatly
intensified by fortifications on the
canal.
GUNS WOULD INVITE WAR
THE fortifcation of the canal would
be an inexcusable waste of money. II
is time the people of America awakened
to the appalling cost of the present war
fever, James A. Tawney, chairman OF
the house committee on appropriations,
recently made the startling declaration
on the floor of congress that Il per
cent of the federal revenues were being
spent for past wars on in preparation
for future conflict. For the past eight
years Americas armed peace has cost
the astounding sum of $1,072,OOOOO0, ex-
ceeding the national debt by $16S,OOO,OOO.
This is three times the cost of carrying
out the whole irrigation program con-
templated within a generation. NOW 1t
is proposed that we add many millions
for extensive fortihcations to the canal'
fifty millions for the initial expenditure
and millions for maintenance. The
canal must be adequately policed, put
maintaining order is far dlIerehl
matter from military fortitication.
Europe groans beneath the cfushlng
burden of militarism. 1t is merclless
bondage, clogging the wheels of prog
ress, demoralizing industry, leVying a
frightful tribute upon commerce anu
reducing the people to the condition OF
serfs, covering beneath the whips Of
the war lords. The nations Of the world
are appealing in agony to the brave.
strong, idealistic. young giant OF
America to lead the way toward uni
varsai neace and disarmament. This
is her splendid opportunity to prove
her confidence in her sister nations to
demonstrate the purity of her national
ambitions, to show her true belief in
the principles of justice and brother
fntnre If she rises to the splendid pos
sibiIities 81 this test she will set the
cause of peace forward fifty years May
the hlemfsh of mounted guns never mar
the glorious achievement at Panama"