The Washington times., 1912-08-13
THE ABSURDITY OF BUILDING ONE
HYPER-DREADNAUGHT.

about to assume the legislative responsibility Incl
dent to committing the United States to the con-
structon of but single battleship-concentratin in
that all the superatve features called for in the
contemplated Terror Of the Seas"-to stop and
seriously consider the consequences of this action.
To realize if possible the very absurdity of their
hypothesis
The examples of history, the technical advice OF
builders and constructors, the opinions Of naval ex
perts the prevailing and accepted practices of mari
time nations should nof and cannot be cast aside
with utter mpunty.
These are conditions that are Interchangeable, laws
that are mmutable, and consequences that are in
evitabe.
1t is automatic that the strength of fleet is de-
pendent upon the homogeneity and number Of its
units; that its speed is the speed of its slowest ship;
its battle range the effective range Of its major
calber guns; and that the hotaton and buoyancy of
its vessels are dependent upon the continued ineg-
rity of their water-tight structures.
What profit it then if this terror steams thirty
odd knots per hour if she must speed on into the
trackless ocean ALONE.
What profit it in days of actual hostilities if her
guns capable of shooting beyond the far horizon
essential attribute to hitting is visible target
Of what profit will it be to us as a nation If in
possessing this one mighty terror fate should match
her against dense fogs, unknown and treacherous
currents, ce rocks, shoals, and the hazards of old
ocean.
1t is our boast that an inventive and re-
sourceful people. We speak with pride akin to
arrogance of wealth. yet we must recognize that
whatever do, be it through invention mechan-
ical process, some other nation can copy and repro
duce. There is absolutely nothing that we may
possess to the utter exclusion of all others. Wealth
is but means to end. England's dreadnaughts
and superdreadnaughs have already been duplicated
in the more important naves of the world.
History has shown marked tendency to
repeat ITSELF and it is something more than mere
coincidence that are today perhaps preparing to
build even as did the people of Antwerp long ago
as l5S5 another so-called "Fnis Bella boastfu
the Spanish siege of Antwerp; superlative in all her
offensive and defensive features-she grounded in
the Scheldt and became an easy captive, abortive
effort.
Let us not forget the fate of the huge galleons
Of the Spanish Armada and the ponderous three
deckers of Trafalgar Representations of the big"
idea in their day and time.
Rather let us consider the more conservative and
successful results accomplished by truly representa-
tive ships at Trafalgar, Lissa, the Yau, and Tsu-
Shima and then not build hopes and national
honor upon single Terror of the Sea- but upon
vessels that will be in this day and age what the
Victory, Royal Sovereign, fighting Temerare, the
Ferdinand Max, Matsushima, and Mikasa were in
the past-not superlatives, but all-round fighting
ships. II it needs must be Terror then let US be
honest and recognize that il means FLEET OF
TERRORS or the absolute waste of all money that
is put into the ship.