The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-10
Naval Supremacy Means Pre-
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The history Of the world teaches
one sure lesson-~that naval sIpre-
macy ultimately means national pre-
eminence and triumph. More than
ever before sea power is thc best and
strongest military power The rise
and fall OF nations ana empires teach
! the same lesson--thst national safety
and national success are inseparaple
from naval strength and power. The
destruction OF the Spanish Armada in
j the English Channel was the first and
Z controlling cause in the bloody drama
which ended a few years ago when the
nag OF crimson and god was bantsied
from the Western World and Spain
closed her glittering career. Water
{ loo was but the aftermath OF Trafal-
gar.
..Ail the vast power, the amazing
genius and energy OF Napoleon could
not escape the doom inflicted by Lord
Nelson's feet. The heroic valor, the
superb military genius, the splendid
victories of the Confederacy during
i the late Civil War all faded before
Federal naval supremacy. The shad-
ows OF southern doom rose slowly but
surely from the pitiless sea. The stu
\ pendous superstructure of Russian
a power and military strength all
crumhled at the triumph OF Admiral
\ Togo's feet. Deweys guns at Manila
proclaimed alike the liberation of the
Philippines Cuba. and Porto Rico.
4 The Italian navy was the strong hand
which seized Tripon from the grasp
sof Turkey. 1t has been the great navy
of Britain that has enabled her TO
carry her rule, civilization and com
merce to every continent. ia every
cline. and among every people. II en-
ahled her TO wrest FROM France the
territory CT Canada. with vast pos
sessions stretching to the North Pole.
III has given her colonies In the far
waters of the Pacific exceeding IN
territory ana richness any domain ever
ruled by the Caesars, It enabled 7trT
to conquer and rule the mighty eIp-
pire of India which had resisted tho
arms and thwarted the trmmphs OF
Alexander. 1T has given her Egypt
the most ancient of nations, and
brought to her the greater part Of At
RIGA, with it's immense territory and
vast riches. The naval strength OF
Great Britain has given her one-stXth
OF the habitable globe. which receive g
~ law her will The great war now
raging In Europe Is further emphasiz-
ing the advantages RccrulHF 10 Great
Britain from her naval power. II has
enabled her to conquer all the colonial
possessions Of Germany. She has drtv-
en- from the seas all the trade md
commerce of Germany. Austria and
Turkey, while hers and that II her
allies proceed practically un.ntcrrupt-
ed. as In times OF peace
"The iron grasp Of the British navy
conGigns the central powers and their
allies to starvation and submission
4 unless their internal resources are suf-
fscient 10 stand the heavy exaCtious
4 and Tremendous burdens Of this war.
- Aae
n port millions OF troops from her pos
sessions. scattered all over the world
4 safely TO the various scenes 0f con
fifct. Britain navy enabled Russia 10
transport troops TO France and make
more secure there important Ines OF
defense. 1t has enabled her and
France to carry troops to Greece and
\ the Balkans 10 prevent complete mill
4Axy disaster In that section II has
II exposed Turkey to such dangers as
10 make II i'm possible for her to render
any substantial assistance TO her al
Hes. 1t has enabled Britain and her
allies to receive military supplies from
AL parts of the world, and thus be able
10 Withstand the terrific assaults and
sKYNa& military strength Of the central
mowers. Britain naval supremacy en-
Mnb1ed Russia TO obtain military equip
SaI1nAnt for her shattered ana defeated
Y yU3lDD OF iaSt year. mus MAKING 1T
|S0Ongtble for her 10 s4crcea in her re-
$2ont aggressive aa1 aIefrssfAI CAIN
Satgn. British naval supremacy con-
Gitutes the chief dependence Of the
allies for Sheir success over tie central
0Owers. The defeat Of Great Britain
&on the seas would he thr-seNerest blow
s&ho allies gould receive The unCer-
4tpties of war are sucn that there IS
10 capital on the continent OF Europe
mGe now. Paris may fall. Berlin may
Ill Petrograd may fall, Rome may
~; Vienna and Gohstifiopt- ,1stry. fat,
- London, protected by tho great
6t31ah Meet, is safe and secure. En-
ro1y surrounded by water. with q
Snk guf1cient 10 maintain supremacy
w tbs seas. Britain, serene and ga fe
WI home, is menace and danger
mD antagonist to anyone who dares
n113onge her power. This great
nyad war emphasizes more than any
lng else the importance OF sea pow
Compared With England.
*9yo are far more fortunately stu =
IA than England to depend upon our
~ for national defense" continued
onoon. England has safety and Sc
My hutlded on her naval power
United States can with greater
o4T ind seedFity bulb on tfl1s pow
Orr navy should be such that no
~ ahslls should ever land on our