The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-02-16
MnnE islANns

NtG VI - ~ AFNtNAfG
A little group OF islands ia the pa.
cifc. some 500 miles from the Scum
American coast line. Is again making
tis.9ry. when Drake made his veg
age round the world 10 singe tue
Spanish kings heard he had no ports
OF call for fresh provisions and the
secret OF making fresh water at will
had not been diKuiged perhaps the
Voyage would have proved a failure
but for the huge turtles taken at
the Galapagos islands who carried
wGter with them and kept Il fresh
as casks could not. Pirates and mef-
chantmen alike took the turtles With
them on long voyages as the embodi-
ment Of both water end meat-in
these offices the islands made his
tory. But the turtles are near extinc.
tion and now the islands themselves
take on Importance because they are
less than 1000 miles from the Pana.
ma canal.
Washington has just walked TO the
thought OF what might happen Il
Japan or England acquired the right
TO set up a naval station so near the
point they are supposed 10 dream oil
attacking before universal peace
broods over civilization So the
United States Is reported 70 have Of
fered Ecuador s35,000000 for a
ninety-nine year lease aud President
Alfaro answered that he was willing,
But when these kilograms became
known there were riots IN Guayaquill
the presidents house was stoned and
mobs marched through the streets
20 express their opinion of a patriot
who would "sell lhe honor OF his
country" mob agreed With the
dietum that where the flag goes II
must stay put regardless Of every
lower consideration than that OF m
tional honor
Washington says it only wants the
islands 10 keep another out Of them
and would find them useful only as
a coaling station Since we have
not needed them badly while the
highway led past hem, why should
We pay millions for them as We pre-
pare TO change tho line OF roadway
With the canal open what road would
wander past the Galapagos OF
course when We put down deposit
OF coal We must eHard Il lest it be.
come an ADVANTAGE 10 an enemy and
II mus be made absolutely safe; thps
we see a prospective fortress %
guard the coal ana other interests
We have Pearl hataH oN THE hlgh
Way-W WhaE would We Nant af.h coal
on a branch road leading to no
where2 Washington night as we'll
admit that the islands are wanted
and the more fortresses I'VE have
scattered around through the seas
the safer she will feel, the more
money she will have to spend and
the better excuse for taxing us a bit
more.
AS a nursery for the turtles which
have no like on any other land or in
any other sea, we might be wilma
10 spend a re agonahle sum Tor the
Galapagos because some profit might
be found in selling the monsters to|
museums a few centuries from to-
day. but as coaling station which
Is TO be fortified or as a fortress
that is TO be supplied with coal tAe
project does not appeal 10 as We
have enough islands and lasd wa
have no superiluity OF millions anl
We are content to stop tine lortlhca-
tons that must soon BE dismantlei
and abandoned SO that doves may
build nests in the muzzles Of the
guns and lizards sun themselves en
the disappearing platforms Let's
have peace. Have we nor already al
Nobel prize In our midst"