The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-11-30
Freedom of Seas
What 1t Means

What 1t Means or in part BY atsrnasonG ssass
sssvao.n.. +. r..rar.e1 ! % ~, ne .se @gSS e.u n "''G RI q
Wilson'S program. Let us consider for a moment what this
where before h a tor Germany and FOR every other nation II We except
the restrictions put on the sea of Mamora and the Black sa BY Turkey
Therefore It ia plain that there ear be no contrversy o that point What
Mr. Wilson really referred to wa freedom Of navigation in time Of war
His language can mean nothing else. but that no nation in time II var
regarded as bengrent rights. The power TO blockade IN enemys port.
traband will be removed We have NJ doubt that This is VIVA Mr.. Wilson
means. because about the close Of 1915 when he previously declared for
s,eattny in ,he ,iew o., NJ Ian,Ing M ,he nyestsent me d,t,nsg
freedom Of the seas deprvcs any nation al a of the most important eli.
ments n sea power Indeed. It destroys nearly all the value Of sea power
settle questions Of con,rnband a navy cannot function. once " e might
have been excused for ignorance concerning the value Of SCI power hut
since our Admiral Mshan taught VA lesson. n American has any
right 10 remain In such Ignorance. Sea power brought victory In the civil
war ra power enabled u to free CUB y forto Iuoo ad me Philip
pines ron the tyranny OF spain Our Monroe doctrine depends entirely
for It's validity on lei power. The fact that we have relied largely on
argument But fan greater than any other example Of the value Of sea
power Is the history OF the present "a without the overwhelming
world a., IN. momen xouta nave been ruled by Germany. 81 IL n, rs,hsr
appalling tina, men should lightly talk of destroying the me grest buwark
which has stood and sun stands between the world and siavery7
IL MAY veil be argued that President Wilson could have no purpo~e
to destroy either the British pr the American navy until the Ned for
them is gone. HIS second clause pesupposes tina, a League u Nations
The duty Of going 70 war except a part Of the league. This nus b The
presdents meaning Unfortunately innumerable me and women do nt
stop TO think the matter u in that fashion. If the president Is for the
freedom of the seas why not have IL now7 1t Is precseiy there that the
mistaken notions about the League OF Nations show themselves H. and
when the league h firmly established This freedom OF navigation In I'm
OF a ma be permitted. But for America. Of III nations TO beat down
oe. not merely foolish; Il be ~ hke smt OF I"enp. For
anyone with a grain Of EN- must know that v re ourselves. II we wue
w., W. .hauis hiockaa. our emv ports establish our own re =,
contrahand and exercise o the full the right of search. Unes We wes
prepared to do this all the money spent o N u navy would be compulsory
advocated BIS Germany. w should at once break UP every manof val re-
possess The real use OF n navy in al Is 10 destroy the enenys lines
communication. blockade his ports. sweep his commerce from The sAl
cut off supplies Of all sorts and - compel him TO surrender The desuur
ton OF his navy is only incidental TO that main pupose. II we arr going
TO promise that W shall not do these necessary things in war i is per-
tecty senseiess to keep u "a expensive heet-MeIopontan MagaaaA