Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-14
DEFENsE SHOULD BE ASSURED


pEFENsE SHOULD BE ASSURED
CoIonsl Andrews. head Of the dry"
navy, would have the public under
stand that the activity among the
Government forces against the booze
smugglers is no .drive". but on the
contrary IN organized warfare that
WIN be perfected and strengthened
~ time goes on and the iawbreakers
demonstrate the need OF it.
Meanwhile the rescals who clean
ed up forty million dollars last year
In defying our laws are not content
with their profits. They consider the
prize worth fighting for by every
method. Rum runners finding the
Atlantic coast Improbable under ex-
listing conditions are endeavoring 10
secure a robinson the Pacific coast
where the Government has not or
ganixed an offensive comparable
with that which now blockades Rum
Row.
From all this one gets the impress
sion that this country stands in need
Of defense s<ona.yillains without and.
Villains within: that what has been
begun is warfare against those
whose purposssis to satisfy their per-
sonal greed. AS there is no assur-
ance that greed 10 on the wane in the
world neither is there assurance that
war against it may safely be aban-
doned. Surely it will not do to leave
our Pacific coast unguarded against
greed. no matter whether it be indi-
yidual or national whether it be
booze syndicate or the jingoes who
for what they might hope to profit
from 30 doing would not hesitate to
incite a people to war against us.
Greed is active among all peoples
and in all walks Of life.
Those who would ignore this phase
OF human nature, who fail to per-
ceive all the possibilities which
might be the outgrowth Of 1t, indi-
rectly il not directly stimulate those
who view opportunity without re-
straint of scruple.
Right now there II much criticism
Of the effort that Is being made to
have this country put its affairs in
Hawaii in proper shape. 1t is inti-
mated that this violates the spirit IL
not the letter of the agreements UNI
der the conference to limit naval
armament. It IL not commended that
this country has not the right under
the agreement to establish a suitable
naval base at Hawaii, for that would
be absurd. Nothing to the contrary
was agreed upon or even implied at
that conference. This country has
never abrogated it's right to self
defense.
We do not know just what may be
needed at Hawaii; we are not sure
the naval authorities will not ask
for more than they need. Indeed we
would expect them to do so seeing
that such requests are always cut
down as matter of practice. What
we do feel sure about is that criti-
cism oftexercisins our rights within
reason serves az encouragement to
the makers Of munitions and other
interests in Japan to alarm the tax
payers Of that country with the idea
that even Americans look upon the
legitimate development Of our rights
in the Pacific as a menace to other
nations.s
Pacifssn in this land is here sus-
ceptible 'of being made the tool Of
the "junkers" in Japan. Whether it
be booze smugglers or land -srabbers
that would invade our premises the
principles Of adequate defense must
be maintained. II our methods Of
going about it need criticism 1t
should be had but we should not
approve this being done except on
the merits Of the case. We should
have an enlarged coast guard for
protection against the lawless: we
should have naval bases suitable for
the defense Of our rights, until, II
ever, other. assured methods may be
found. Needless to say we yet have
no such assurance.
Fools Used to Blow Out the Gas.
NOW They Step On IT." watch