Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1916-04-07

TT should be always remembered"
Captain Weeks went on TO say, that
our navy will be our first line Of de-
tense. American ships will meet for
eign ships before there is a battle on
shore. II the United States goes to
war with any nation in Euorpe or
Asia, the fleets of the two countries
will fight for the supremacy OF the
sea.
No invading army will set out for
America until II is safe from attack by
our feet. So long as our feet is afioat,
no army will venture to start for our
shores. Moving troops from one coun-
try to another Is an immense under
taking, even when It is safe to do so.
-Four hundred large ships, for ex-
ample, would be required to trans
port an army Of 250000 men from
Japan to the United States. Armies
travelling by water have to carry their
own artillery, ammunition and horses.
Japan would not send 400 large troop
ships out into the Pacific unless it's
fleet had fought and defeated our
fleet. Nor would Germany or any
other country in Europe attempt an
invasion Of the United States so long
ing in the Atlantic
Looking to the East, I can see no
probable danger that is likely to occur
IN the near future, unless the allies
are thoroughly beaten by Germany, or
unless Germany is thoroughly beaten
by the allies. II the war is practi-
cally a draw at the end, the efforts
OF all the great nations to maintain an
equilibrium of power will keep them
entirely engaged for some time with
their own affairs"
do you believe that a trade war
| against this country will follow the
restoration of peace in EuropeT
such q war will come-there is no
doubt of II. Loaded with debt, bur-
dened with taxation, Europe will turn
with energy and ferocity to the works
OF peace. The factories in Europe, ex-
cept In Belgium, Poland and Northern
France, have not been shut down nSr
burned. Indeed, new ones have been
built. Industrially, save in the places
have named, Europe is better situ-
ated Eow than when the war began.
Facts to BE Faced.
Things have been speeded up in
Great Britain, Germany and France.
The factories, old ones and new ones,
are running. They will be running
after the armies at the front have
been sent home, but instead of max
ing cannon and ammunition, as at
present, they will be operated night
and day in the production Of goods
for the American markets.
All Americans no matter whether they
| thpmEQlVaq DpmnrFatq IL
| cans, ought to have courage enough and
| wisdom enough to face the facts. Europe
In this country II we do not defend our
selves. You spoke of an invasion by SOL
diers. There can also be an invasion with
products.
favor alI kinds OF defenses-snilitary.
commercial. financial and Industrial And
right here at home 1 think some of US
need defense against fallacious ideas For
instance: This is great business nation
and yet we hear many suggestions that
business be taken out of the ownership
and management which have developed It
and made II wonderfully successful, so
that it may be turned over TO the national
government
Business ought to be regulated, but we
have regulated the railroads so vigorously
that no more are being built, although
they are surely needed In some parts OF
the country. Furthermore, the time has
come when the railroads cannot borrow
money for short periods on as advantage
Gus terms az can other lines of big busi-
ness. And yet transportation, next to
agriculture. Is our most important indus
try.
Would government ownership and oper-
| alton improve the situation?
No; the situation would be made worse
State ownership and operation has failed
in France, Canada and other countries
Wherever II has been tried. expenses are
increased and deficits created. On the
| Western Railroad OF France the operating
charges went up 80 per cent in three
years. More than 200 new men wera en-
ployed-no workers on the tracks, engi-
neers conductors or brakemen, but clerks
porters and other little politicians, places
for whom were found around the general
offices and at the stations.
Government ownership in the United
States would add 900 men TO our Of
fice-holdng class and congress would fix
their salaries. Freight rates. am sure
would be higher than at present and the
consumeTs-the men who work-would be
losers and not gamers.