Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-12-09
LETTERS
THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Sir: 1t was with much interest
read in your issue Of the 4th inst. the
statement Of ]. Morton Riggs, issued
to the public at large, relative to the
objects and requirements Of the Navy
League Mr.. Riggs preliminary ex-
PLANTATION that membership in this
league does not require active service
in the army or navy viii doubtless
bring much relief to that large body
of patriots who are ever enthusiastic
to prepare for war so long as some
one else is likely to be called upon to
do the fighting. Mr.. Riggs says:
Each person joining the league
does so with the purpose of using ey-
cry effort in their power to Influence
our government at Washington 10
pass such laws as will result in our
having a navy and army of sufficient
strength TO resist all attempts at In
vasion by a foreign foe"
The scope of the above efforts, how
ever, would seem to be somewhat lin
tied by his further statement that
the members of this league believe
in navy Of sufficient strength abso-
futely to insure this country against
the possibility of ever being obliged
to meet an armed force on its own
soil" So that in view Of their object.
as thus explained, the organization
of the army OF which he speaks would
seem to be a work of supererogation;
and Governor Pinkham's recent pre-
diction that every man must be pre-
pared ito shoot or dig" would seem
unfounded, since the operation of a
navy call for little in the way OF
digging, at least, unless it be at the
Panama canal, which still insists,
most annoyingly, that 1t is terra flrma
Cor infirma) and not an aqueous n.y.
Phen.
According to Mr.. Riggs the Navy
League was organized in 1901. / had
understood that it was organized last
June. Probably, however, was mis-
taken, and that it was not organized
at that time, but only reorganized.
am more inclined to think the latter
correct, because many of the veal
thy and influential citizens" to whom
Mr.. Riggs refers as being among Its
members are persons who have &C
CURED their wealth and influence BY
various forms of reorganization. At
least this was their principal source
OF wealth until the outbreak of the
present war. Since then their wealth
has been largely augmented by dis
organization. refer to Col. Thomp-
son, the president of the league, and
To such prominent members as j. r.
Morgan, Ebert H. Gary. Harry Payne
Whitney, and others of like promin-
ence in that industrial world whence
come steel, powder, sharpnel, motors
and other necessities of civilized"
warfare.
II then, the league was originally
organized in 1901, why is it that in
spite of this fact the country Is utter
ly defenseless by sea, although during
the intervening period something like
a billion fire hundred million dollars
has been spent on the navy, wrenched
from the corrupt port barrel" and
contributed to the yirtuous gun bar.
rel, so to speak? II enc billion and a
half renders country absolutely de-
fenseless how many hiliions will rem
der it absolutely immune to attack;
the professed object of the league?
Kindly send solutions to editor,
names In separate aenveiope.)
Not the least interesting portion Of
Mr.. RIGGS statement of the objects
and requirements" of the league is
the classification of membership fees.
which range from 50, for those whom
he designates as the "most modest
class Of our supporters" who thus
become entitled to shout prepared