The Washington herald., 1911-01-29
BATTLE SHIPS OR PEACE!
Ultimate Line of National Defense
First Line Of National PrOEresx-
(By EDWIN A. START. Secretary American For

First Line of National Progress.
CBy EDWIN A. START. Secretary American For
cstry Assocation)
The problem of what may he done for
the best service of the people with the
s4i.ooo.ooo for construction and mainte-
nance does not involve a consideration
of the question whether it is necessary to
put such vast amount of money into
these great engines of destruction which
cost several princes ranSomS to maintain
and speedily become fit only for the Scra p
heap. We assume for the present pur-
pose that the United States is big enough
strong enough, actually and potentially
and occupying a sufficiently secure posi-
ton not to need this cNtraordinary ex-
penditure each wear
The key to the reply | should make is
found in the answer to another question:
Upon what does nations permanent
strength and security depend? To that
the reply is-and it is vouched for by eco
nomlC science and the test of history
upon the extent and permanen"e Of its
resources and upon the character and
vlSor of its men and women. These ar
the final and only dependable lines -.
defense in the rivalry of the nation-
The biggest navieS and the most perfect
armies would not save a nation impovcr-
ished of its natural resources and peopIcd
with discouraged and worn-out race
sIch must be found in a country SO
Impoverished
Now the r'-0UrCeS which can he not
cnIy protected and made permanent but
"m which tn" h,aIth and prosperity "f
tn" people Immediately and absolutely
depend, arr the soil, the water, and the
forests T" waste and destroy these is
national suicide. against viii n a line ri
battle ships Extending around tn" globe
can be no pr"toCtion.. In the protection
of these Resource; there are certain Cicti-
mite needs and for the present purpose |
wish 10 suggest what might he done with
S'i.r".hI I" meet these needs
!. In the national forests Of the West
TINS YEAR there Were heavy losses by fire
mounting into the millions. probably
chouch to cover the cost OF building two
battle ships Thcsc losses are liable to
occur in any dry year. hut they are pre-
Nentahlc. T" prevent them would re
GLire. according to tho estimates of the
Forester Of III" United States. Il total
expenditure for primary control by tele-
phones. roads. and other facilities of
N.T@hn' which would have to be spread
over period of >ix II eight years Addi-
tI"nal measures Of protection and devolI,-
ment along III" lin.S Of secondary con-
tr"l could follow ~ degrees as tho con
diuon Of each individual forest is more
fully studied.
=. The national forest system is incom-
p,''te in that its advantages and future
protection do not extend /" the Eastern
states. whcrC they are already much
needed by a teen1ing and still increasing
population. For this purpose two large
mountain forest areas in Northern New
England and in the Southern Appa la
chian region should he taken into the ,
system to protect the navigation ard
water power OF the rivers that rise in
them. to maintain a permanent timber |
supply. and to promote the health and |
comfort OF the millions who hcnotit by |
their proximity. These lands are pri- |
Natcly owned and must be purchased. \ !
hill for that purpose now before Congress |
calls for an expenditure Of s1l. .nN5. .O.o dis |
,ributed over a period of rive years De !
lay in bringing this about is sUhjecting |
Tho nation 10 loss Of present and Hoten- |
tial resources that cannot he adequately |
measured by figures An expenditure of |
from so. 90. 600 TO $500 coo would COM
piste the national forests needed in these |
regions and give tho nation a permanent |
asset OF increasing value that would !
never 20 to the scrap heap.
Thus, if we spared ourselves two battle |
ships only. these two great projects |
could be completed and thcr" would still /
he not less than s10.Ho.NN1 left to eXpend |
in more thorough forest protection, in
tho promotion Of agriculture, in reSer-
voirinG our rivers. or in promoting the |
health of the people.
These things arr worth while, and they
could be don" with the money saved by
al hSf
ship building. They would mako US
stronger As a nation for peace or war.
Finally. il may we'll he said that the
nation that is rich enough for such enor-
nous destructive expenditures should be
ashamed to baIk at these great construc-
tive enterprises, which. comparatively
speaking. cost SO little