The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-04-21


value OF aeroplanes, which are now
known as the eyes OF the fleet. They
are very necessary as scouts. Leav.
ing the deck of a vessel. they can
easily locate the enemy and are there
fore OF the greatest possible use in
the events that occur before a battle.
The submarines, too, 1t has been
learned, are OF a real and practical
service. All officers think they have
become permanent addition to
every navy, but there is some dis
agreement as to their general utility.
Can swarm of submarines, for In
stance, go to sea, meet feet and de-
stroy itY The question cannot be
answered until such an attempt has
been made and either failed or sue
ceeded.
i asked one Of the highest military
authorities In the country If 1000 sub
marines, along with mines, could safe
guard the United States against in.
vasion-the mines to blow up the enc
mics ships off shore, If any hap
pened to get that near, the submarines
having met the rest and destroyed
them before they came within striking
distance of our coasts. The answer
was that such a measure of pro-
lection, an invasion OF the United
States would, to say the least, be
made very difficult.
You see, no one can tell as yet
what part the submarines will take
in the wars OF the future. Their uses
are slowly being developed, and we
cannot know what they are capable of
doing until the French or British
fleet meets the feet of Emperor
William.
Also, it has been learned that bat
tie cruisers are required to bring
navy up to its highest efficiency.
Cruisers formerly were used as scouts
and to hunt down and destroy the
merchant ships of an enemy. They
were swift, but not heavy enough to
take place in the battle line when
large vessels were engaged.
A Sea Battle First.
THE modern cruiser, however, can
! fight, being covered with armor and
armed with large guns. Steaming 30
knots an hour, it can run all around
a fleet Of dreadnaughts and pump
shells into them from long distance
and from any angle. Our navy must
have battle cruisers, besides great
many submarines and aeroplanes, if
we mean to be in a position where
we can protect ourselves against in
jury, insult or dishonor.
1T 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 battle on
shore. If 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 it is safe from attack by
our feet. So long as our feet is afloat
no army will venture to start for our
shores. Moving troops from one coun.
try to another is an immense under
taking, even when 1t ia safe to do So
-Four hundred large ships, for ex
ample, would be required to trans
port an army of 100000 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 its
fleet had fought and defeated oul
fleet. Nor would Germany or any
other country in Europe attempt al
invasion of the United States so Ions
as our fleet, decks cleared, was wait
ing in the Atlantic.
Looking to the East, I can see NJ
probable danger that is likely to occur
in the near future, unless the allie:
hi hno hxyG nj
unless Germany is thoroughly heater
by the allies. If the war is practi
cally a draw at the end, the efforts
of all the great nations to maintain al
equilibrium of power will keep then
entirely engaged for some time witt
their own affairs"
do you believe that q trade wa
against this country will follow thu
restoration Of peace in Europe?"
such war will come-there is M
doubt of it. Loaded with debt, buI
dened with taxation, Europe will turf
with energy and ferocity to the work
of peace. The factories in Europe, e2
cept in Belgium, Poland and Northern
France, have not been shut down no
burned. Indeed, new ones have bee
built. Industrially, save in the place
have named, Europe is better sitr
, ated now than when the war began
Facts to Be Faced.
Things have been speeded up i
, Great Britain, Germany and France
! The factories, old ones and new ones
are running. They will be runnin
after the armies at the front hav
been sent home, but instead Of NAL
ing cannon and ammunition, as q
present, they will be operated nigh
and day in the production of good
for the American markets.
: All Americans, no matter whether the
call themselves Democrats or Republ
cans, ought to have courage enough an
2 wisdom enough to face the facts. EuroI
. is going 10 take possession of the market
, in this country IL we do not defend oul
selves. You spoke of an invasion by so
Q diers. There can also be an invasion wit
5 products.
/ favor all kinds of defenses-militar!
commercial financial and industrial An
2 right here at home / think some of L
' need defense against fallacious ideas. FC
= | instance: This is great business natio
and vet we hear many suggestions tha