The view taken by the more sober and serious advocates of stronger
armament by the United States is expressed by the publication, _The Army
and Navy Journal_, in a recent issue, under the caption, “The Duty of
the Hour.” It says:
“Is there no possibility of bringing home to official diligence an
apprehension of the fact that preparation for defence, so far from
involving us in war, is the best defense against war, as is shown by
little Switzerland holding calmly on its path of peace in the midst of
warring nations? All the powers respect the neutrality of Switzerland
because they know that she is prepared to fight for her independence
to the last man, and that she is at all times ready for immediate
action in defense of her mountain fastnesses, so that she is a power
to be reckoned with.”
Switzerland is a poor country and does not greatly tempt any of the
belligerent nations by her wealth. The Swiss are tough fighters, their
country, by reason of its mountainous situation, is a very defensible
one, and its subjugation would undoubtedly cost any power more than the
conquest would be worth. The case is very different with the United
States. This is the richest country in the world, actually and
potentially. Any power which could occupy its coast cities would be able
to levy indemnities which would richly pay them for the financial cost
of any war. Human nature being what it is, such wealth is a constant
temptation to any predatory power. The ocean does not protect us as it
formerly did, but on the contrary affords a convenient highway for
invasion. Such wealth as ours needs protection in the present status of
world-morality. There is no thought of aggression on the part of our
people. The United States will never arm for aggression. But it should
be strong enough to keep its goods in peace and to save its population
from the horrors of invasion.