Evening journal., 1921-01-06
sTRATrcIC RASs ron C,NAI DrrrNsr

UuiAT The United states might wisely acquire control
OF the chain OF small islands extending from Porto
Rico to The coast OF South America an additional de-
fense 10 the Panama Canal the opinion OF Secretary
Embassy Glenn Stewart who has been connected with
e United states diplomatic service for the past seven
years Discussing this subject Mr. Stewart says that an
ability to defend nations territory and TO be economl-
cay independent is the ideal OF craftsmanship With that
truth in mind the question as 10 how should be
applied 20 the United States. The World War taught
America that it is not sef-suncent and that many ar
hces necessary modern civilization and 10 national
defense are not 10 be found within her boundaries A
glance at the list OF products upon the importation OF
which from abroad the United states largely dependent
discoses he fact that great many OF them originate in
lerrtory 70 the south OF north OF the Orinoco
River some Of them follows Bananas coffee
cocoanuis cocoa, tanning extracts cocaine qunine tin
Asphalium, tungsten Manganese chicle harwoods sisal
grass. lax seed. vanilla ntrates and rubber
The United states would be immensely strengthened.
MT stewart thinks II the in which those articles
arr produced could be brought within its moro perfeet
protection, and when It realized that the Panama Canal
re military heart OF the United States is also located
~ that ierrtory it becomes once apparent how vital +,
y ihat ihe country 10 The south us as far as ihe
orinoco shall be monaced by national interests
.inimical TO this country
A glance the map shows that on the Atlantic side OF
Central America nature has prepared system OF natural
defense in the shape OF The semcrc OF Islands known
as the WndNafu ana IeeNard Islands, Porto
pamela and Cuba It is 10 the network OF islands included
IN the former groups that special attention is directed
They would furnish ideal bases operations for hostile
nec In the Spanish War IT was impossible for our navy
70 take proper 10 guard the channels between
me Islands against the arrival Of the Spanish feet from
Europe because OF lack OF over those islands
Even in our war with Germany It was rumored that The,
were being used as the base OF submarine operations
Were this outwork OF islands TO be absolutely de-
pended upon as allies or were they 10 be mart nj
our own territory might feel that an ideal strategic
zone had been created behind which might lie in safei,
he Panama Canal The territory OF this zone oould NJ
depended upon for vital necessities
u so happens that most OF the Windwari and Ieeyar
Islands are owned by Great Britain and France both q
which nations owe billions OF dollars to us which the
appear unable to pay, even now being some eiehiee
months arrears on interest It is suggested by sewar
mat portion OF That debt might be qudated bv N
assignment to the United States OF title 10 those wes
Indian possessions not OF particular value IN their nr
ent owners, but OF great strategic importance 10 ,bi
country.
With the Atlantic approaches to our southern economl
and military protected should take similar meas
the Pacific side. Outlying islands are absent
The western coast but chain Of should be estal
nshed from California TO the Panama Canal which won
enable cruisers and smaller Graf, 10 move from or
10 the other without endangering their fuel supply
With the canal protected upon both the Atlantic ar
Pacific coasts may well that our country has be
placed in the best position possible 10 guarantee its
fense and economic self-sunlciency.