Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-07-14
MIR. sWANs0N's SPEECH
Virginia Senator Makes Strong Plea
For Increased Navy


tain the position Of the United States
as a world power and to safeguard
it's commerce and foreign policies was
emphasized by Senator Swanson OF
Virginia in the opening speech in
the Senate yesterday on the navy ap-
propriation bill. Senator Swanson in
sisted that the navy OF the United
States must be at least second great
est in he world. AS ranking member
of the committee on naval affairs
after Senator Tillman, the chairman,
Senator Swanson will have charge OF
the navy bill on the floor OF the Sen
ate.
In a brief address to the Senate,
Chairman Tillman urged that the
bill be considered and passed with as
great speed as possible. -
Said Senator Swanson, in parts.
"The best defense we can have for
our immense lines of coast is a navy,
Il is impossible to build forts and
Notifications that can give adequate
protection to our great stretches OF
coast.
"The necessity for an adequate
navv for us is greater today than
ever before in our history. The time
has passed in the history OF the
world when any nation can success
fully lead an isolated life.
"Ths unjust restrictions that Great
Britain has imposed upon our COM
merce during the progress of this war
further emphasizes to us the neces-
sity of having navy large enough
to demand and enforce, our rights:
In modern commerce, with. its varied
trade complexities, the nation that is
helpless upon the seas is the prey OF
all marauders and hos its future des-
tiny directed by others.
"This great war vastly Increased
our foreign trade and reviving our
home industries, has given US wealth
almost unspeakable. When this war
is concluded this nation will be rich
beyond the widest dream of avarice.
Ifswe have naval and military strength
we will be able to hold our wealth,
power, and prestige. If We are weak
in this respect the day Of our de-
spoilment will inevitably come.
care We foolish enough to believe
that this nation, which, with its vast
wealth and unsurpassed possibilities
the object of envy and Jealousy OF
other nations-can be safe il we per-
nit ourselves to become fourth or
fifth rate naval power? Are we SIM
enough to risk our ma
tional safety to the chances OF their
mutual jealousies and enmities
Could this restrain each of them when
the destruction of our navy would
mean the overthrow of the Monroe
doctrine and the opening up to them
of Central and South America for
the purpose of exploitation and spoha-
ton? Has not one of these nations
disputed the Monroe doctrine, and
only needed a sufficient navy to chal-
lenge it? Have we not an aggres-
sive eastern neighbor, who looks with
covetous eyes upon our Philippine
possessions? Are we weak minded
enough to imagine that We can con-
troll the Panama canal for our own
advantage and profit unless we have
4 navy sufficient to fully protect 1t.
Are we going to permit the s9oo'ooo'-
900 we expended in this great enter
prise to be appropriated by other ma
tions with, superior nayal strength 2
81 believe we are safe under pre-
sent, conditions of the worlds affairs
if we will become and remain without
question the worlds second naval
power. Our national honor, prestige
and safety will not permit OF less.
If those nations who are competing
with US for this position increase
their navies, we must equally increase
ours. With our vast and varied in
terest, with our great responslolil-
ties, with the present political COM
plications in the world, we cannot
with safety afford to be less than the
worlds second naval power. If we
remain less than this, our vast for
eign commercial interest, inseparaoie
from our prosperity, will be Jeopar-
dized. Our Philippine possessions Will
be the prey of superior naval power
Our foreign policies and intercourse
will necessarily become timid and
vacillating.
"The great affairs of the world al
fecting our interests will be reguiat-
,,,fh WE