The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-01-11


very strange obsessions that have
been gained from faulty informa-
ton as to the relative Importance
of Key West as a naval operating
base, on an active status. The
history of our nation is interwov-
en- with the attained glory that we
have gained and has been stripped
from us, through economy that
has cost the government more than
they have been able to save. Our
position with the command of the
Gulf waters means not thing to
our nation. Governments are
continually buying islands to
strengthen their positions by plac.
ing coaling stations or making
naval bases on them.
We are of no use to our gov
eminent as some officials declare,
well, would our government think
of selling this little island to Great
Britain, or some other European
nation? No, of course, for they
realize how they would be weak
ening their whole Atlantic coastal
defenses. Logical reasoning
proves to any investigation that
this statement is erroneous. An
other thing, if we are of such lit.
tie Importance why not completely
abandon this yard here? They
know that for the good of the
whole Atlantic Coast that at nc
price would this station be com
pletely abandoned for the
buildings are kept in repair the
same as when the yard was on an
active status.
Now At Fault
The government at times may
make the public see and reason as
they do, but there are times when
we can see they are at fault, anC
as a Democracy we are given the
right to see that things are turned
into their proper channels, and
not be misled by either party pre-.
JUDGE or partisan politics.
Politics may eat at the heart Of
our government, but we have 3
core that will Withstand the raw.
ages of the filthiest politics, fol
we have the Constitution that
guarantees the individual rights
and with these rights let US fight
for our rights, ITO provide fol
the common defense"-
Cannot we appeal to the eyes
of the nation and make them sec
that we can control events that
would mean as much to them as
something happening within theil
own community. l am not APP.
pealing for selfish desires of my
community or anything of that
order, but for the whole state of
Florida, we are the only line of
fortification on the Florida coast,
and we virtually command the
Gulf and Caribbean with our posi-
ton. How quickly can ships
manuever here for supplies and re-
turn to their scene of activity
with little or no delay. Our
splendid harbor offers a quick re-
treat from enemy ships, for it is
an easy matter to defend our har-
Dor.
If we are not going to let the
nation help us put up our fight
but let political or destructive
economic measures destroy our
naval position that is so stratcg-
ical, we are allowing ourselves to
present an open breach that
leaves as virtually unprepared in
case OF unforeseen events that look
to be more than a fact than a
theory from present conditions OF
the upheaval that is smouldering
over the European and Asiatic
continents.
An Armed Camp
Europe is virtually an armed
camp, France has just completed
a line of Notifications on its east.
ern frontier that cost three hun.
bred and fifty millions of dollars
Germany is increasing her navy
she has laughed the peace pact:
in the face, she has defied al
armament ratios which had beer
allowed to her, have we not taker
insults from other nations thai
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