Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-18
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

Nav Day Will be observed next
week Always there IS someone who
has to remind people, make arrange
ments and all that sort of thing.
Hon, Harold NJ. Sewall is chairman
of a committee among whose duties
Is that of looking after Navy Do;
arrange ments. The wisdom of Sc
Jccting him is apparent to anyone at
RIl acquainted with the varied eX-
perience he has had. the unusual OPP
portunity that has been his for clear
comprehension of the situation and
its needs.
Naturally the traditions of this
.country's part in seafaring are es-
peciallv dear to him. Out of his own
experience he knows what the navy
means in the lanes of commerce and
the ports of the world, to Hawaii
the Philippines, to the fugitives at
Smyrna and to the stricken in Japan
lie was an advisory member of the
Washington Conference to limit
ornaments. He can measure the
value Of that which the United
States threw into the discard and
why we did 1t; that we then sacri-
feed supremacy on the seas; he
knows that we were expected to keep
our navy to the standard there fixed.
and being an observer of current
try. following a war, has never done
its full duty in that respect; that
this country today is not maintain
Ing the naval position assigned to It,
Though knowing these things he is
only asking that the youth of the
country be kept informed respecting
the situation that they may ap-
prcciate the value of the American
Navy, that they may not be de-
Ceved, that they may consider the
Informed opinions of such as Secre-
tarv Hughes, Mr.. Gompers, Senator
Capper, representative of the mid
West.
Mr.. ScWall sought no interview
with the journal but he did ask that
the paper reprint what the peace
loving Mr.. Harding said in his last
speech before the Seattle Press Club,
the 9th day Of last July. He was
real pacifist not an imitation. The
request is reasonable and we believe
the Journal readers will be pleased
t. give this their considerations:
perhaps the day may GOMEZ
would speed it all l could-when ma
lions will employ no armed forces.
ntil such a day comes we shall find
assurance in navy of the first rank.
We were building two years ago at
nrmcd sea-power in excess of any
other power. but in conviction that
armament cost and competition was
leading to menacing national bur-
dens. we invited an international
conference to fix limitations.
I'VE asked equality with the first
lanl; for ourselves. and were ac-
corded it. Let us hope cur Congress
with the cordial sanction of the
erst rank. l believe our obligation
to the world means that most exact
ing restriction of our maintenance
&ithin the maximum limitation fixed
by the conference and l believe our
- clear duty to ourselves Is to main
tain the equality provided in that
maximum until a new baptism OF
International conscience prescribes
ioint action toward reduction OF
complete adjustment.
I'VE owe it to ourselves to under
stand that tho navy is rather more
than n mere 'instrumcntaiity of war
fare. II is the right arm to the De-
partmcnt of state. seeing to the en-
Iorccmcnt of its righteous pro-
nounccmcnts. 1t guards the secur-
ity of american citizens wherever
~-they are the world over One could
not fully reverence his flag II he did
not feel that its unfolding means Sc
Curity for Americans wherever they
seek its proper protection.
'lt has our colors afioat today al
most everywhere on the seven seas
at smyrna to offer proper restraint
md relief. in Chinese waters to make
for security: in all waters to urge
tranquility and maintain righteous
ness and with 1t all to emphasize our
confidence in ourselves and our sense
Of obligation at home