New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-24

Cad
:, -, navy famous American naval authority.
Ia M mans presentation OF an ade-
uos,e defence plan is a better hearing
.,t,Jed Than 10 Professor CafhcarfS.
1ss former officer of our navy he mas
os;oed q reputation as an eminent au-
,borify In naval matters.
"HE United States Is the richest OF ma
tons. with present wealth OF nearly
i S5OOOOOOO.OOO. Owing to its vast eX-
.. ~ coastline. it is the most vulnerable OF
al the great powers. In the Panama canal II
ia N. kew 10 the Pacific Ocean. Its out
,virs possessions in that ocean-Alaska'
Hawai- Guam Samoa and the Philippines
=. IN themselves the lands OF an empire. In
=. Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific we
LID strategic positions which dominate those
u..,.,e In the Monroe Doctrine we assert
,ogcv which has been stigmadzed as an in
.,.d;bls irnpertinenoe" to the European world.
In ,be Open Door-now closing fast-we chal-
l.,g. not only Japan but every nation which
s,cures foo,hold territoriany on Chinese soil
T. this twentieth century-wth its fragrant
disregard Of neutrality treaties, OF Hague con-
dn0 o. many VI 1ilV P.'iiN'F-Ns " 80
,,rnstional law-what should be an adequate
oavv for country holding such vast pos
..ssions and asserting such worldwide doc
uines7
SHOULD WE RIVAL ENGLAND'S NAVY?
important questions as TO the amount and
character Of our naval expansion confront not
a much the officers OF our navy as the ad-
-,nistrstion. Congress and the people whose
will both the Executive and legislators repre-
,.,t An unfit answer. in inadequate prepare
nan now. NAV be grave with menace to the
iu,ure Of America IN substance, these prob
ems are:
England is now throttling both our trade
With neutrals and the great increase IN our
merchant marine to carry on that trade, which
otherwise this war would bring. Should we
aim 20 maintain a navy capable OF disPuting
her mastery OF the sea and Of making this
restraint impossible hereafter?
Falling this. should we nave a naval force
sufhoien, at least, to guard fully every foot OF
territory which we now hold in both oceans
;Ha, u.s. a feet so strong that it can be di-
,ii,d and one section kept permanently in
it Pacific;
Or letting the Philippines, Hawaii and
ilaska take their chances OF capture in sudden
wsr with an Oriental power should we main
iain only single feet trusting to its sum
GENTLY rapid transfer to protect the PACING
Coast in time OF need?
An attempt TO compete with Great Britain
IN naval strength would be financially extrava-
can't and politically unnecessary at this time.
Tn. cost Of her feet HIS been great. During
the last decade nearly S2,oOO0O0,o00 has been
'pent upon it-and very wisely, as results have
shown.
As TO or International relations-for hun
dred years America has felt no menace from
British command OF the sea. Four times dur
ing that period war between the two nations
vas threatened. but in each case the crisis was
sverted by sane and skilful diplomacy
throughout tie existence Of the Monroe Doc
time England has tacity acquiesced IN its
polcy, and in two treaties she his gwen II
Sussi recognition.
In any great war like the present she must
depend largely on the United States Tor sup
rlies Of all kinds. Her chief dominion lies oPen
70 attack on cur northern border. And, fnal-
y, there are those still more potent reasons,
ne interests Of the two nations--raclal social
md eommerci which are mingled so mex
riesbly rs 70 make future wars between them
.nthinkable at this time. The existing con-
royersies VIII fade, as have others IN the past
The friendships Of nations. however, are ike
'aslr enmites very passing things. Japan is
today running her factories overtime to m re
ammunition for her old foe, Russia; and also
s.zng the opportunity given her by the Euro
tan war-she is apparently striving to wrest
he hegemony Of the Far East from her ally
e'.at Britain. While. therefore, both history
ard common sense teach that it would be I'M
Sise TO trust forever TO the continued trend
mp OF Engl nd. the century OF peace Justhes
s IN believing that at this time she should not
considered IS that problem Of the strate-
sats probable enemy" Hence, her naval
'usngth need not now be a prime factor IN
tanning for cur own, although alwsys
lould be borne in mind that as matters stand
ohush interests will be served best II the
united States shall not become great naval
over. but shall continue It's present policy OF
9th and unDreparedness. The peace propa-
shdis's and the little navy men play di-
'"uy into the hands Of England.
VVR LACK or SOUTHERN COAST
BASES FOR THE FLEET
TOT attack on our Eastern coast or on the
wanna Canal any enemy except Great BIN
- would first have 20 seize a convenient ana
H.. T. l. Cuf..s hi