The Washington herald., 1910-12-23

from the Providence Journal.
The Puget Sound yard. at Bremertou. Is the only
place available in the Pacific for docking our largest
war ships. The lack Of sufficient facilities would be
serious handicap in case Of war
From the Buffalo Expgess.
Toe Pacific Coast Of the United States offers the
most tempting outlet fos japanese ambition. Cali
fornia alone has greater area than the entire
japanese empire and might take care Of Japan's
surplus population for several centuries. Il lies
eEp2sed. virtually without military defense.
Frm the New York Press
The influence Of discipline and the restraining
considerations Of good sense are probably responsible
for the silence Of the navy during the invasion
scare. No NERVOUS Congressman thought Of asking
Secretary Meyer for his opinion on the dsfersibity
q the country the share Of the navy in resisting
invasion.
From the s. Paul Dispatch
The placidity q The American people viii not be
disturbed by anticipation Of var Nothing 50 i'm
probable VII be permitted to ONE between them
and their enjoyment Of life and their pursuit Of
happiness. Anything but a defensive war is incan-
coiTahle and there is an abiding confidence in the
ability Of the race 70 protect and defend itself
Prom the Chicago Record Herald
Representative TaWney suspects a plot 10 Hob
sonUe the country. and is almost inclined 70
charge amy and navy men. including the War
Department. with having entered into a conspiracy
to stampede Congress into throwing economy 10 the
winds and increasing "desense' appropriations be
yond all sense and conceivable need. Mr. Tawuey
IS probably mistaken. There arc no signs Of any
plot or eonspFacy.
From the Baltimore sun.
Why should Mr.. TaWney think it Necessary 10
keep our osn people in ignorsnce Of conditions ia
this country that known in other couniTiess In
point Of fact. that would be impossible for every
reasonably vel informed person knows that the
standing army Of the United States is too small and
too widely Scattered 20 Offer serious opposition 10
an invading army Of 10000 trained and weiequipped
soldiers.
From the Kansas CITY Journal
On top Il ali this cur own army ofioers have been
talking necessarily about our weakness OF defense
the Pacific Coast. Representative McIschlan Of
California only echoed what has been repeated
many times when he said; a foreign country
could land a0Oe0 trooEs on the Pacific Coast iE
thirty days and the only intima6on Of trouble
would be their blowing up Of the mountain passes,
thus preventing any communication with the East"
From the New York Sun.
Congress negIects TO provide searchlights and an
adequate fire control system for the high cost high
power guns in the hsrbor Notifications. it permits
giaring deficiencies in field artillery and ammunition
for guns of all calibeTs. but Congress seems reAdy
and eager at all times to vote more millions to
more veterans Of the Mexican. civil. and Spanish
wars although Gas lei pensioners were the roll
on June 30. 1899. and. all told, a sum exceeding
Ss0e co., 200 has been discussed Y support vet
Grams.
From the ST, Louis Post Dispatch.
Dreadful as is the danger and imminent as Is The
peril We still refuse to sirg lingo songs and mere
* rise TO inquire to what end and purpose
we have spent 81 81 10000 On the military estab-
Ishment since 1885 Our beggary and scattered
army has cost half as much Gemany's great
war machine. and yet We have nothing We have
been spending more money than Italy. which has
splendid army and nearly as much Great Britain
and France and stiIl we must shFer when Ve think
Of our defenseiessness.
From the New York Hefald.
with a feet in the Pacific well as in the
Atlantic. the Urted States would be saved from
var and the militia need have wouy. It is the
navy that is the real defense Of the country. -
Admiral Dewey.
This statement from an ofacer OF Admiral Deweys
exrenence,>Iank ard fame viii confirm the popular