The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-09-04
CANAL A DANCER
THINKS GERMAN

NEW YORK, August 22. The strate.
gle Importance Of the Panama Canal, as
seen through German eyes, the eyes in
this instance being those Of Dean
Zadow of the University of Griefswall,
is leading article in a recent issue
of the Proceedings Of tine United States
Naval Institute of Annapolis. The ar.
tiele first appeared In one Of the tech.
meal publications of Berlin. Dean
Zadow says the canal Il an obvious
war danger, danger which, he adds,
tis openly prepared for in the United
States, while in Japan the preparations
are secret, /"
''Inasmuch as the high. tensioned eco
homie rivalry of nations brings war
into play to render the final decision,
sooner or later there must come. as
nearly as human Judgment can pre-.
diet, Dean Zadow says, ga decisive
conflict in the Pacific. II is certain
that the extraordinary strengthening Of
the strategic position of the United
States, and OF the maritime power
thereby created, in Immediate prox.
unity to the Japanese Empire, presents
an obvious war danger which is openly
prepared for in the United States, while
in Japan the preparations are secret.
Thus IL Is seen that the Panama Canal,
which, following the conquest Of the
indicates the progress of |
the United States in carrying out its
present day paramount, imperialistic |
policies, will soon be the cause of |
tremendous conflict and of the result.
ant decision. "
An Instrument Of War. .l
"The political importance Of the
Panama Canal, y Dean Zadow eontin. |
ues, "is greater than its economic |
value; il was built not primarily as a |
trade route, but as an instrument of |
war. Without the canal the United |
States could only arrange for adequate |
protection to both its Atlantic and Pa,
eife Coasts by means of two fleets;
upon the completion Of the canal a
transfer Of one feet OF a part of IL |
from one ocean to the other will be
o matter Of but few hours, whereas
formerly II took many weeks.
1.-THE United States also saves the
enormous expense of constructing sec.
ond battle feet. In which must be in
sluded the saving in fuel, stores, per
sonnet and upkeep.
MUST Have NO Rival. .
"0f course the Panama Canal will
retain its strategic Importance only as
long as 1t has no rivals. If, for ex-
ample, any other power were to build
he Darien Canal or the Niearaguan
Canal and make il secure in a military
Ind political sense, the Importance Of
he Panama Canal in international af.
fairs would be materially lessened, as
he United States could not then con-
troll the passage from ocean TO ocean
IF the war and trade fleets of the in.
.erested nations. The possession of such
4 canal by q foreign power would en-.
lble an enemy feet to effect the change
from one ocean to the other without
sither the knowledge or consent of the
United States, and would afford to their
opponents the means whereby to effect
D surprise and to compel the United
States to divide its forces. However,
The completion of the Panama Canal
itself should definitely put an end TO
III possibilities in the shape Of rival
canals. -s .H 's's .... " i
Hawaii Commands Pacific.
"The Panama Canal is important to
The entire Pacific Ocean lying beyond
he American Continents, and especial
v so TO the colonial possessions Of the
United States. The American will be-
,ome. in military sense, independent
with respect to the Philippine Islands,
which are of such paramount import
lnee for naval bases, coaling stations,
able stations, etc. IL.
"Although the Samoan Islands are
)nly Of moderate strategic Importance,
he Hawaiian Islands comprise the prin.
'ipal station on lines of operations
eading toward Asia and Australia.
rhe possession Of the Hawaiian Islands
$ equivalent TO mastery of the Pacific. |,
The United States is now establishing
IN the Island of Oahu feet base
Pearl Harbor) of extraordinary
trength and importancei the first blow
# Japan would apparently fall on this
ase. As the distance from New York
o Pearl Harbor is reduced from 1890
niles via the Straits of Magellan to
1926 miles via the Panama Canal, it is
'vident that the position Of the United
states is materially strengthened in the
Pacific. !,
''In the event of war between the
United States and European powers,
he Panama Canal will not be of great L
strategic Importance, as in such case
because of the importance Of the east Il
'Oast of the United States--the decis-
on will take place in the Atlantic" III