Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1917 — American Navy as a War Factor [ARTICLE]

American Navy as a War Factor

By FREDERICK R. COUDERT

F-xpert on International Relations

The American navy, deficient in certain classes of units, is yet the third most powerful navy in the world, and can, by relieving the numerous English war vessels in N orth and South Atlantic waters, and by assisting in the convoying of ships over the ocean greatly aid the allied navies now holding the seas. ' The great problem of today is to destroy the submarine menace, and, too, in a very real sense free the seas to the use of the nations. American co-operation in this respect can be of great value, Ihe British and American nayies co-operating could .make.a kind of Jane over the AtUnthk through which ships might sail and supplies be carried to the allied powers. It is quite possible that the distress in Germany, owing to the block- - ade, has been exaggerated, but, in my opinion, it is only a question of time when irresistible economic pressure, coupled with the growing strength of the allied armies’in France, will force her to the wall, and the aid of the American navy can insure the success of this blockade. There should, in my opinion, be sent to France some contingent of American troops, properly organized and officered. This would have a sentimental value well-nigh incalculable. I know the effect that it would have, both in France and in England, and in distant Russia as well, for a few regiments from the new world to join hands with the descendants of La Fayette and Rochambeau on the stricken fields of old trance. It would also have a great effect upon the American people, who would again see renewed that old combination of France and America fighting for human liberty. This is a factor that cannot, and I believe will not, be neglected. r , General military training is a necessity, first for our future safety, and, second, for the purpose of welding our somewhat heterogeneous people into a cohesive nation. In addition, the war may, in view of military experts, go on for a couple of years more, in which case the decisive factor might well become a million American soldiers transported to the shores of France and Belgium.