Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-03
PURCHASE OF ISLANDS ADvAN.
TAGEoUS TO NATION IN
MANY RESPECTS.
CONSIDERED AS MOVE
IN INTERESTS OF PEACE
First Attack Against United States
Would Be Delivered Against Outlying
tions-West Indies Only 400 Miles
From South American Coast.

Washington. Jan. Styling at thu
the Danish West Indies occupy 8
strategic position of the highest i'm
| portance to continental United States
| to the Panama canal and to the entire
American hemisphere, to the preser-
walton of which from European ag-
Srandizement the United States is
! pledged by the Monroe doctrine.
Any attack made upon this country
! by a European power must be based
upon point which can be used by the
enemy fleet for coaling and refitting
No commander would make an attack
out first securing a convenient base in
the West Indies.
| Preparedness Expected.
| With proper military preparedness
and an enemy would anticipate such
| on the part of this country-it would
he obviously impossible for a base to
| be seized and held along the Atlantic
or gulf shores.
| Moreover, by Selling a place in the
| West Indies the attacking force would
threaten the United States in two
directions-first, continental United
| States, and. second, the Panama canal
| The islands lie 1000 miles from the
canal and 1000 miles from Florida.
Once in the possession of a foreign
| fleet they could be fortified and gar
risoned, and the enemy. instead OF
having 10 concern Itself with d long
line Of communi catton across the At
lantic.-would be able TO act with
greater safety and greater vigor upon
the prosecution of whatever plan Of at
tack ii elected.
U. S. Fleet Handicapped.
The American fleet would be handi-
capped by the possession Of such a
base by the enemy fleet for the reason
that il would confront a divided posi-
zion. protection of the Atlantic and
gulf coast and protection Of the
Panama canal. 1t would be the height
of bad strategy TO divide the fleet.
The possession of the Danish West
Indies will enable the United States
to establish a submarine and torpedo
destroyer base at st. Thomas which
will absolutely close the Caribbean
sea to European attack.
Here then, Is an important element
in the defense OF the Panama canal
|, is not conceivable with submarines
operating from st. Thomas that an
enemy fleet would attempt to sail thru
any of the West Indian passages lying
to the south of the Danish islands.
Only 400 Miles Away.
The distance between st. Thomas
and the coast of South America is not
more than 400 tmiles. Submarines,
therefore, would not be so far from
their base that they would be unable to
return promptly for repairs or for sup
plies.
The United States now has a base
at Guantanamo. on the southeastern
shore OF Cuba That base however. IS
menaced by the British naval base at
Port ROYAL. Jamaica. Moreover, 1t is
1900 miles from the eastern fringe OF
the Antilles.
There IS not the slightest doubt
that once the Danish West Indies
come into American possession the
navy department will probably trans
fer all equipment in use at that point
to st. Thomas.
For three reasons. therefore, the
price the United States has agreed TO
paw Denmark-s25. 900 .00O-can not be
regarded as excessive.
Comparatively Small Sum.
First, So. 100000 is, small sum
compared TO the cost of an interna
tional war: second. the United States
will be placed in position OF strategy
which would be of inestimab!e value IN
case Of war: third. the United states
acquired a new point of defense not
only for its continental territory but
for the Panama canal.
In view Of all the advantages offered
by American acquisition Of the Danish
West Indies. can not see no" any
senator can oppose the treaty: on the
other hand. think such opposition
would be injurious to the best inter-
ests OF the country, and might in the
end. II the treaty should be rejected
lead to war costly in life and treas
ure.