The Detroit times., 1916-03-15
Let the People
Rule-and Write
The size Of . Navy.
TO the Editor Of The Time.:

Henry d. Joy and the Navy
league and the National Security
league seem to BE- worried over the
possibility that maybe the Times
readers will not get TO see their
authoritative" data "A published
by the lingo press OF the United
States. The editorial from the
Scientific American which MIR. Joy
requests published seems to be one
big effort to show that our navy
isn't l. 2. 3 when compared with
Germany's. Why should the "rela-
tive strength" of mir navy and Ger
many's be OF any more importance
than the relative strength" OF
United states and Great Britain OF
Russia or France or Switzerland
Does Mr. Joy and the Navy league
and other patriotic societies" wish
to give US the impression that they
are preparing TO fight Germany or
II will be very easy matter when
We succeed In bringing our navy
up to the standard Of Germany for
her to increase hers by building
new dreadnaughts. We ill then
be required 10 keep on building. to
be up to date. This Is what Eng
land and Germany have been doing
for a generation and behold the re-
suit. n We could lick Germany
with a big navy" why on earth
don't England and Russia and their
allies do the job now? They GER
tainly have the navy (combined)
The most serious crisis" ''involv.
ing the death Of over a hundred
American citizens" ito quote from
the Scientific American editorial)
is the result of foolhardlness or
selnshness or both. These Amer
lean citizens" have plunged them
selves into the danger without the
least thought OF how their foolish
act might involve the international
relations OF their country. II the
leisure class representing per
cent. OF our people,. or the bust.
ness man looking for trade must
travel, there are . hundred other
directions in which they might 10
without involving the safety and In
ternational welfare Of the 95 per
cent. OF us who cay at home and
follow useful and productive lives.
Why 60 to Europe when they know
OF the risk involved. II we must
travel TO relieve the monotony of
humdrum, parasitic life there
are many places to 80 beside
Europe. The statement that pro-
due. ion (of munitions) Is more
costly when done by the govern
ment is only hall truth. We can
not have government production
until all the principal industries
and means Of transportation are
owned or controlled by the govern.
ment.
What a splendid contrast, after
reading the Scientific Americans
plea for lighting machines and MUIR
der equipment up-todate, II II to
read In the flrst column Of tho same
issue. March 8, your editorial on
Newton d. Baker. the new secre-
tary Of war. You have made nne
suggestion when you say his title
should be the secretary Of peace.
What q splendid slogan that would
mako for the peace advocates.
Oh, that we might have the
courage to say 10 the world:
we arc for peace and viii
never build another battleship."
What grand opportunity II ours
TO set an example to the nations
OF the world in disarmament. II
we must prepare" let us devote
our energies IN that line to coast
defenses and we will soon be
Gibraltar OF strength and set a
noble example for the world TO fol-
low.
". A. WHITING.
No. 20f Davison-avc.. Highland
Park, March ., 1919.