The sun., 1912-08-10
A Great Question ~ national Self
Defence and Honor.

TO TIE EDITOR OF He SCS-Sr; COn-
seauent on its refusal to pursue continu-
ing naval programme. such volumes OF
abuse have been levellcd at Congress by
the press of the country that am moved
TO Mt a feeble voice in its defence. The
intelligence and patriotism OF our present
House Of Representatives is so firmly cstab-
,iabed IN the mind Of the public that we are
bound 10 infer that the action Of the Demo.
cratic caucus Is but cunning plot TO ad-
vance tho true interests Of the nation. III
indeed this be the case. nothing more effcc-
tive could have been devised. as nothing
could 40 arouse the people from their SOM
nolence to a reconsideration OF the whole
question of national protection.
Congress indeed is putting in practice
On extra-leGal referendum. II has put the
whole question up to us. and il is high time
we came to some decision. The country
has 10 choose between two courses the first
involving the upbuilding OF such navy as
will protect its island possessions. its great
canal. iis Monroe Doctrine and its honor
against any Power likely TO challenge them,
and the second representing a policy Of
acouiescence in their demands should their
III will be incurred. Whichever Of these two
courses he chosen. in Heavens name let
MS pursue 1t with our eyes open. IL We
elect to uphold our interests and our self
respect LEI us pay the price like men. II on
the other hand we choose to adopt the pol
icy of non resistance let il at all events be
with the dignity Of the Quaker. not because
i, is cheap but because we believe il TO he
moral. The real disgrace will lie not in
being thrashed by nation half our size
hut in being lullcd unworthily into sense
of security by the peace societies backed
by Mr.. CarncGies millions.
All three political parties now In the field
advocate in their platforms an adequate
navy, but the word adequate" is one OF
the most beautiful and useful words in the
language. for the reason that it has no def
rite meaning whatever. TO Mr. Carnegie
and his followers in Congress adequate
means zero. whereas to every Secretary OF
the Navy for the last ten years the word
has implied the construction annually of
four battleships. and We have been told
year after year by the officials appointed
TO inform themselves and the country gen
orally on such matters that nothing short
Of this number will suffice to fit our naval
force for the sole object for which it i, i'll
tended, that Is the maintenance intact of
certain material and moral objects which
the nation cherishes. 1t Is true tha, of late
years the Government has recommended
annually only two battle-hips but th, has
been only because il quite frankly feared to
ask for whole loaf les, it get none.
To-day the press, always excepting a
certain contemporary of yours. is clamor
ing for two dreadnoughts year; but why
Two? There is no magic in the number two,
It vas never 1xcd a. the result of a states
manlike or even patriotic consideration Of
international relations; il was never any
thing but "a compromise. The absolute
strength Of a navy has no importance what
ever in military sense. Its relative
strength alone counts in diplomacy. in war
and in the prevention OF war. IT, therefore.
Congress by its present course shall arouse
the people to a reconsideration Of the whole
question OF national defence it will not have
lived altogether in vain.
The House OF Representatives grimly
closes its serried ranks around the pork
barrel and raises the soul stirring slogan
millions for pensions, but not one cent for
defence" No. Not while Pompano Creek
Florida. remains undredged, and Plug Hat
Gulch. Nevada. langushes without Fed
eral court house. Congress has referred
the matter back to tn" people, and it is for
them to formulate a new naval policy after
frst providing q new House OF Representa-
tives. II, KNOX
New YoRK, August Q.