Clamoring for More Battle-Ships
MANY of the strongest men of this nation, such as Vice-President Marshall, Ex-President Roosevelt, Admiral Dewey, and others of similar prominence, are calling for more battle-ships and a greater army. Some of these men, like Vice-President Marshall, are in hopes that the nations of the earth can be led to agree to disarm; but he says that if such an agreement can not be reached, it is inevitable that we must not only greatly increase our coast fortifications, but we must build many more great battle-ships. Mr. Roosevelt thinks it is a foregone conclusion that we should prepare in the most vigorous manner to defend ourselves. He believes that it would be the height of folly for us not to do so. A program is in preparation for the United States to enter upon the building of at least four of the great super-Dreadnoughts each year, and it is suggested that five ought to be built. In connection with these, it is also proposed that a dozen or more of the large submarines of the most modern type be built each year; and incidentally it might be remarked that the submarine is very rapidly approaching battle-ship proportions. The first ones were comparatively very small affairs, but they are increasing in size quite as rapidly as was the case with the battle-ships and the battle-cruisers. The absurdity of building all these monsters with which to destroy men and to waste property and absorb useful labor, is pointed out vehemently by some of the strongest, the best, and the truest men and women of this world. The world is flooded with literature upon the subject; but the demons of war are in control, and are driving men like cattle ahead of them. The good sense of the leading men of the age causes them to cry earnestly against these wars and these preparations for war, but their influence is drowned in the mad maelstrom of strife.