Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-08
es incident to the tropics. When this
day arrives the tropics with their agri-

es incident to the tropics. When this
day arrives the tropics with their agri-
cultural progressiveness and richness,
with their vast mineral and forest
wealth, with their great water power
and opportunities for manufacturing
establishments, will become the CEN
ters of great wealth and commercial
advantages which cannot be over esti-
mated. Nations must be prepared to
participate in the wealth which will
accrue from the vast commerce that
the future holds in store for these
parts Of the world. Nations unposs-
essed of naval strength will be either
excluded or Disseminated against in
this great trade.
The unrest and revolutions in Cuba
indicate that that mighty Empire, con-
tanning almost one-fifth Of the popu-
lation of the world, is being stirred
by modern thought, and will soon en-
ter upon career Of material develop
ment with an imnence commerce
Nations will only acquire fair and
equal oportunity in this great and
profitable trade which possess naval
strength sufficient to demand it.
Everywhere we witness aggression on
the part of the first-clasS powers of
the world possessed of naval strength
All of the continent of Africa has been
partitioned among the European pow
ers, and is subject to European direct
ion and domination. All Of Asia, eX
cept Japan, is practically under control
of European powers. Each year, we
witness the further increase Of Euro
pean influence and domination.
Nearly all the islands Of the seas
are under control of European intiu-
ences. The Central and oSuth AM
erican States have not been the sub
ject of spoliation by European powers
only because the United States has
maintained as it's declared foreign pol
icy the great Monroe doctrine, which
protects these from European aggres-
sion, and because the United States
has naval power sufficient 70 enforce
this doctrine, if challenged. The po-
litical affairs of the world are now
practically regulated by the tirst-class
powers possessed of military and nav
al strength. However much we may
dislike it. however unjust and improp-
er it may be, the six great powers, con
sisting of the United States, Great
Britain, Germany, Russia, France, and
Japan. when they act in accord, de-
termine the destiny of nations and the
future progress Of the world. The
future of China will be determined by
these powers, either by peaceful az
reement or 10y war The assent of
these powers will fix the terms of
peace between Italy and Turkey.
Are we weak-minded enough to i'm
apine that we can control the Panama
Canal when completed for our own ad-
vantage and profit nuless we possess
naval strength sufficient to enforce
our wishes? Are the benefits to be
derived from our expenditure of S3O0,-
100000 in this great enterprise to be
weakly surrendered to the decision of
arbitration tribunals or the direction
of other nations Of greater naval
strength?
The time has not arrived for this
nation to abandon her policy OF yearly
increasing the naval power. The ne
cessity for an adequate navy is great
er today to us than ever before in our
history.
Prudence and wisdom demand that
this nation should have great navy
properly to perform ltS reSpohs'p'e
duties and successfully to achieve lts
great work. rejoice at this nations
proud and glorious past, but rejoice
still more at the cloudless future
which beckons us on to still greater
greatness and richer and deeper
glory. With strong arms and brave
hearts let us fearlessly face the great
and responsible future. Let us not De
deferred from our duty and destiny
by those of our brethren who are
frightened by their own prodigiouS
shadow, projecting in the worlds al
fairs. and who hesitate and shudder
Through craven fear Of being great