Imperial Valley press., 1915-02-27


the United States was drifting SLOWLY.
but surely, toward the vortex of the
European war, and strong appeals
were made that this country should be
prepared Tor any emergency. The
debate was precipitated by Senator
Smoot's amendment to the naval bill
providing for fifty seagoing subma-
rines of the highest power and longest
radius possible, and twenty-five sub
marines for coast defense.
Senator Lewis warned the Senate
that neither it nor the country should
be blind to the inflammatorv condi
tlons that prevail throughout the
world today. He sharply called at
tentlon to the possible menace of ia
pan. Mr.. Smoot, in supporting his
amendment, declared that this large
number of submarines was absolutely
necessary for a proper defense Of
American coast cities.
Mr.. Jones of Washington, although
pleading for peace, declared that it
looked as if this country was moving
almost inevitably toward participation
in the pending conflict. He believed
it would be the part of wisdom and
by temporary abandonment of our
rights as neutrals on the seas.
Mr.. Townsend of Michigan, while
asserting his willingness to go "to the
very extent of honor to secure and
maintain peace" declared it was the
business of the government to protect
the rights of its citizens where they
had right to be.
81 think" he continued, "the way
for this country to get into war is
supinely to lie down and say to the
nations of the world:
"'You can prescribe your zones, you
can lay down your rules, and we will
say to our people: eve will not pro-
test you. We will not fly the flag
where the flag has right to be"
"The very suggestions that have
been made that we must acquiesce in
what other nations say to u.s." Mr..
Townsend said, "was an invitation to
war. 1t could not possibly be avoid
ed," he added, because there is no
person so subject to attack as the
co,Vard, the man who will not support
his own rights.
81 commend as | could commend
nothing that President Wilson has
ever done, the messages he has sent
to Great Britain and to Germany.
believe those messages meant more
for securing the rights of the people
of the United States than anything
that has been done since this Euro
pean war opened | want peace as
much as any man, but in wanting it
| will not invite war by too kindly
surrendering any claims which Great
Britain, Germany or any other nation
may make on u.s."
"If the greatest war in history
said Senator Smoot in supporting his
amendment for more submarines, "can
be precipitated by the mere casting
aside of a piece of paper, what is to
prevent another war in the near fu-
ture over control of the worlds trade !?
1t that happens / want our country
to be prepared to defend itself against
any foe."
II am not an alarmist," declared
Senator Lewis, a member of the COM
mittee, "but | cannot look at great
conflagration going on around me
and see the impotency of the fire
department, without realizing that my
domicile soon may be seized with the
same flames. The world today is in
a most inflammable condition. To
assume that we can escape complica-
tions and perhaps involvement in a
world war is to lay a flattering unc-
ton to our souls that will avail not
! see my country verging closer and
closer every hour to war that only
the calmest consideration can avoid
"Shall we decline to enforce oul
rights" he continued, because it is
consistent to say of those now at
war? | think not. If any country
attempts to take advantage of oul
unprepared state, to the verge of au
dacity, and take the life of American
citizens, do you think that affront
would pass without resentment? / dc
not.
"The hour is at hand when the coun-
try should be told where the danger
is and that the unusual experienced
demands are justified and vindicatet
by the conditions. Suppose a con
flict should arise between this coun
try and ourselves? Japan is allied
with England, France and Russia
Does any man not assume that Japaf
is an artful people, capable of dis
RulSlnR nef real purposes ana aims.
After portrayng what the grievan
ces of japan against this country are
Senator Lewis continued:
Suppose Japan attempted to alb
sorb China and. in view of our trad
relations with the country. the guar
anteed open door and our historic re
lations, we attempted to render SOM
aid to protect this new republish fash
ioned after our own, and in the mean
time we refused to renew the gen
tlemen's agreement respecting the en-
try of Japan into this country.
"Does anyone doubt that .lapa
would say to Great Britain, Franc
and Russia:
"T was your ally in time of neeo
now ioin with me in my demand upo
the American government to agree I
our lust contentious
Does anyone imagine that thes
three countries could remoin ind d'+fe'
ent TO that demand? If France, Eng
land and Russia would not assail thl
country, from them we could expet
no sympathy. Their moral suppoi