New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-09
Great German Navv of TODAY Peaceful Battle

are many other thousands Of Germans that
have followed the colors ahoat but VINO
are engaged in civil pursuits ashore. ana
these trained men can also be requisitloncd
I'm time OF war What have We that Is an
efficient counterpart Of this splendid re-
servo upon which the Kaiser can call? Be
tween two nations that are approximately
! equal in material tho balance OF power
Will undoubtedly rest with that one which
has preponderance of personnel upon
which TO draw after every engagement o"
at the expiration Of every period of eX-
hausting service. Ships may he fashioned
OF the best, guns may be built capable or
dealing appalling blows, but ultimate sue
cess will rest upon the endurance Of the
men that must man and handle these Ia
cilities This IS not a theory: 1t Is the
lesson that has doomed large in every con-
nlct, either on land or upon the sea.
The visit OF courtesy Of tho German
squadron, therefore, should mean more 10
us than the mere expression OF interna-
tional good feeling. 1t should bring home
TO us and 10 our legislators the urgent
need OF seeing TO 1t that not year or
even month be lost in raising and IN
keeping our sea-borne defences commensu-
rate with our commercial wealth ana
needs II such be DONE the national dig
nifty will never suffer. but If our repre-
sentatives In power fail in this duty the
day may come which may mean our tenn
porary humiliation and. perhaps. the sac
rifce OF much established foreign trade.
Germany's national wealth to-day and
even her national welfare depend upon
her maintenance Of open markets the world
over The intense productive output OF
German factories is far ahead of any pos
sible domestic consumption, and yet the
very activity OF these shops and estab-
lshments is vital 10 the life of the people
engaged Close the factory doors, and
thousands Of the Kaisers citizens would
be- in danger OF starvation. Ii is for this
reason that the German navy Is good
deal stronger than the mere defence Of her
seacoast requires. The oversee lines or
traffic must he kept open. tho Fatherlands
participation I'm the marts Of the world
must be unimpaired, and when II comes 10
the veved question Of foreign tariffs Ger
many must he able to call her rivals hlur
or to retaliate I'm kind. and 10 have show
OF force with which TO back up her posi-
ton. In other words. the modern navy Is
essentially commercial insurance. and only
those nations can hold their own In this
ever growing competition that have prop
or fleet to enforce their claims to partici-
patton In the worlds trade.
Tho Motke was built and subjected to
sea trial inside OF thrty-six months, and
this performance Is another evidence OF
tho high skill and capacity OF the German
shipbulldirg plants. on the other hand.
the next great international conflict Is
hardly likely to last moro than year at
the outslde-probably the struggle would
endure for only few months. The nation
with the ships ready will be the one to
nreyaIl. other things being equal There
fore. when we admire. as we undoubtedly
shall. this magnificent battle-cruiser' we
shall have reason to regret that Germany
IS inst SO far ahead OF us in this type or
modern fighting craft-a type that Is
c,ose kin to the Dreadnought and vast
commencement upon the armored cruiser, OF
which she is an evolution.
prenaredness is now, as always. guar
antee OF likely success, but preparedness
,o-dav means preparation over a longer
| ,ar,od IN be effective. The country may
nav dearly IL the wedding garments OF
residential candidate are fashioned at the
expense OK a proper outlay Tor hauoha'
da,erce This sort of bid 10 popular sup
mort a dangerous alike to political parties
and TO national welfare.
"''N r. G. sKERRETT.