The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-10

subject must -. that eur navy
should be strengthened. I subscribo
Ito much Of the argument In the series
NJ articles in THIS paper. to which I
contribute this closing number; bat
II, in spite Of the advantages given
me by my position TO learn the whole
truth. 1t IL hard for me to shake Off
this Instructive feeling that our ma
tons needs no protection beyond its
own brave citizens, how much more
must those living far inland, whose
only knowledge of dreadnaughts
comes from illustrated papers. hold
to the view that Providence will pro-
tect our country without the need OF
dreadnaughts, and that an adequate
navy In merely a needless national
expense.
The Navy and The People OF The
Island.
sometimes fancy that our naval
officers fail to understand the extent
and depth of this feel throughout the
country 1t is point of view impos-
sible 10 men ike themselves who
from the day they entered Annapolis,
nave had cold facts and figures ham
mered into them regarding the me-
cessity for a defensive fleet to any
country whose coasts are worth the
narrowing and whose ports can be
made to yield vast tribute to an at
lacking fleet. Because the popular
point of view of this and kindred sub
jects Is impossible for the trained
naval man to understand fully, our
wise forefathers decided that civil
ian should be placed at the head of
the navy. o. man, who, understanding
the feeling of the military peo-
pie, can best adopt measures and
that will rnnVirPe
them of the imperative need of ade-
squate powers of defense; for I hold
that no one can convince until he un-
derstands what doubts are to be re-
moved. In my own case. when l be-
came convinced that loyalty, I'M
swerv-ing patriotism, and an exact
scientific knowledge of the facts un-
derlay the insistent demands or the
departments naval experts for an ad-
eduate navy. the problem as laid be-
fore me took this form: Many people
believe that an increase in the navy
liz needless. This belief Is instructive
and not founded on an investigation
of the facts or knowledge of the sub
iect To convert n majority of these
people. II would be useless to publish
pages Of statistics of numbers OF
slYns relative disbursements, CON-
parative muzzie energies. armor ef-
ficiency. steaming areas and kindred
data. because the majority Of them
would not take time to read such
tables, mr. attempt to understand
them II they did The gravest Or
lection 10 an adequate navy Is be-
cause OF their belief that the navy
represents ar expense to the gov
eminent without compensating hene-
nt In return. The task that lies be-
fore the secretary of the navy, who
understands this feeling on the one
hand but who has become convinced
Of its erroneousness on the other, Is
to find some way to secure at least
the passive support Of these people.
Can the Navy Re Made practical?
Such being the problem. II would
seem that II wav could he found to
convince this portion Of our people
that the navy - not merely an ex-
pense. but an economic asset to the
country and good business In
vestment of the taxpayers money, Il
would go a long way toward a soiu-
ton Of the situation, and wasild do
much to win them from position OF
active objection ~ one of absolute
announcement Of proper naval con-
struction program. The greareet eco
nonic loss to the country from the