The Washington times., 1921-10-16

Allen Fisks, U: S. ~. on arpsa-
nsents. He toill show, as only an
sSpert IN naval s0arfare and a cool,
scientific historian can, the i,lesti-
nsable Importance of the InteT,sa-
tional Conference on Limitation of
Armaments IN Washington nert
month. AdmiraI Fiske 10 one of the
sOorLds foremost naval e1perts,
dnd he sorites from an American
point of pieO. As Writer and
Inventive genius his leadership
sOas recognized by his selection as
President of tho United States
Naval Institute.
nK ANY people do not see any
N connection between arma-
ment and foreign trade. The
same people do not see any use for
q navy, except to defend q country
from actual invasion or blockade.
According to their conception, the
merchant ships of all the nations
cruise over the various oceans that
cover the earth, and deliver cargoes
and receive cargoes in foreign ports.
Just as freight trains move over the
United States and deliver freight and
receive freight in the various cities
that they visit.
The world would he a far happier
place to live in, II this conception
were correct; because, in order that
have to be strictly honest. and no
merchant ship would need protec-
tion or support. no matter where she
might be. In fact. no merchant or
other citizen would need protection
or support In any city, all police
forces could be abolished. and the
millennium would reign. FA
NAvIES END PIRACY.
But we know that a police force
is needed in even the smallest and
most virtuous city, to assure not
only the orderly conduct of individ-
uals, but also obedience to the de-
crees Of courts and the protection of
the property of merchants and other
persons.
On the broad ocean, no nation can
enforce law, because the ocean be-
longs to all the nations and not to
one nation. Every merchant shiJ,
protection of he: own country. IS.
while she Is on the ocean, at the
mercy Of any armed vessel that may
attack her; and when In foreign
port, is at the mercy of the official
authorities of that Fort.
There is no policeman within call.
armed with a revolver and club;
there are no courts Of justice, ready
and anxious to receive complaints
and see justice done.
At the present day, the danger Of
being attacked at sea, in time Of
peace, is so exceedingly small. that
few people realize that this condition
is only recent and that it is due to
the existence on the sea of arma-
ment.
II Il were not for armament, In
the shape Of ships Of war, pirates
would throng the ocean and lead
and prosperous careers,
sacking impartially the merchant
ships Of all the nations, and making
the officers and sailors walk the
plank overheard.
In fact, from the earliest days Of
commerce until little more
than a hundred years ago, piracy
was a lucrative profession, and
pirates a numerous class, sometimes
highly distinguished indi-
viduals among them.
In the days Immediately before
Rome became great under Julius
the pirates Of the Mediter-
ranean grew powerful, because
Rome, after destroying the navies of
rival states, had allowed her own to
TALL into decay. A great national
expedition had to be organized and
sent against the pirates. The COM
mand was given to the famous Gen.
81 Pompey; and so menacing was
me danger that Pompey was accord
ID absolute power over all the sea
10 GUARD TRADE.
Pompey was successful; but piracy
ater reappeared, though not in such
rreat dimensions, at various periods,
wen as late as the last century. In
SO, the United States, after having
rad six of her merchant ships cap.
ured by pirates of Algiers, and after
Congress had authorized the con-
'truction of naval ships to go against
hem. actually signed a treaty with
Algiers, by which II purchased i'm
nunity with money!
That In, the United States paid
ributc 10 the pirates Of Algiers.
Extreme insolence by the Dey OF
slgiers brought about wave Of In