Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1914 — Only Way to Avert War Is to Be So Strong as to Discourage Attack [ARTICLE]

Only Way to Avert War Is to Be So Strong as to Discourage Attack

By Commodore A. V. WADHAMS, U. S. N., Retired

NO foreign foe can ever take the United States. We can never be subdued, but we can be very seriously injured, and great loss—in dollars and cents —can be occasioned us. We are all of us anxious for peace, but the whole history of the world is there to show that THE ONLY WAY TO AVERT WAR IS TO BE SO STRONG AS TO DISCOURAGE ATTACK. Without any idea of acquiring our territory other nations may find it to their commercial advantage to weaken and cripple us. THE WEAK ARE EVER A PREY FOR THE STRONG. We may be scrupulous in the observance of our treaties. OTHER NATIONS MAY NOT HOLD THEM AS SACRED. Anybody who reads and thinks knows that for the United States to enjoy lasting peace it must be strong enough to discourage envy and resist attack. In other words, WE MUST HAVE A STRONG NAVY. THE GREATEST WORLD POWER IS ENGLAND. HER NAVY MAKES HER SO. EVERY PAGE OF HER HISTORY TEACHES THE SAME LESSON. BUT FOR HER NAVY SHE MIGHT TODAY BE BUT A PROVINCE OF SPAIN AND THESE UNITED STATES WOULD NEVER HAVE COME INTO BEING. SHE HAS BEEN AND IS GREAT BECAUSE SHE RULES THE WAVES. WITHOUT HER NAVY SHE WOULD BE A FIFTH RATE POWER AND INDIA AND HER COLONIES WOULD BE TAKEN FROM HER. ■ Y.V