The Nome daily nugget., 1910-12-26
THE UNPROTECTED PACIFIC.

IRE ONPHO eCT D PACIFIC.
Rear Admiral Evans, who has al
ways endeavored To live up his name.
Fighting Bob" is seconding the views
Of William Randolph Hearst on the
possibilities of war with Japan. For
once. Mr. Hearst seems to have been
caught in the advocacy Of a policy
which has merit for he has been in
sisting that the naval strength of the
Pacific should be increased at once.
IN commenting on the Hearst thrill
'ers" that have been appearing recent
Y Admiral Evans states that condi-
lions in the Pacific do not encourage
he belief that we can win in a strug-
gle with Japan In support Of this
statement. it is noted that Japan has
70 battleships, II armored cruisers. .
ordinary cruisers. 90 torpedo boats. 5s
orpedo boat destroyers. and 10 sub
marines; also IS merchant vessels un-
Ter requisition. all in Pacific waters
To offset this force. the United States
has in these waters. no battleships. 10
armoured cruisers. . torp do boats AMI
Il merchant vessels. feet so insig-
nificant in comparison that the result
would never for a moment be in doubt.
There is one point on which this show
'ng could be greatly improved and
which has ben overlooked by Mr.
Hearst and his valued indorser. Adj
niral Evans. All OF the warships which
he United States might build would be
pf small use II the present policy Of
coping them Oh the Atlantic where
hey are not needed were To be follow
- until Japan has struck a., first
ll.ck blow Why do not A'r Hearst
md Admiral Evans. RichncnI Pearson
sIehson and all Of the others VINO ex-
'res~ such great fear Of the yellow
peril advocate the stationing Of a big
.leet OF war vessels in the Pacific where
hey will be Of some service in ease war
IS declared
II is conceded 10y the foremost poll
'ieal thinkers II the age that the
worlds next great battle will he fought
N III" Pacific England and other Fu-
~orsan nations living across the At
anfic no longer have an,. ariavapcc,
with the United states. and the possi-
1ilities for trouble with these countries
1re remote indeed Aside from this
.act tho entire Atlantic coats is ad-
nirablv equipped with land defenses.
which are practically unknown on the
Pacific We are each year investing
millions in fleet which. almost in its
antirty. is kept on dress parade on the
Atlantic stations whore there is hardly
4 remote possibility ~ its ever being
allied into service Meanwhile with
mr. nearest neirhbors. Just across the
Pacific almost hegearinG themselves 20
provide a navy ont Of all PROMOTION -
he requirements II tho petceful irTcr-
tionstions they loudly proclaim. our Pa
fife land defences are weak and un-
ertain and our warships are nearly
.ixty days hard steaming away from
he coast which must bear the brunt II
he japanese attack. if it ever comes
Perhaps We need more ships just as
Hearst and Evans and a number n
nthers say We do. But for the imne-
late present. II there is even the
mall"st likelihood Of danger. the ships
which We already own should nearly
III be- sent around TO the Pacific and
Kept in readiness for duty where duty
aalls A. a dress parade requisition.
nur navy is probably needed more on
he Atlantic than 1t is on the Pacific.
hut for fighting purposes il will be
needed here befoer II will he needed
anywhere else.-NeW York Evening
Post