Word: war
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Dates: during 1890-1899
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...Yale argument was as follows: The present navy consisting mainly of cruisers is sufficient for a peace footing. Battleships are money thrown away except in case of war, which is unlikely. Finally, even if war is declared, land defences are more effectual than a seagoing fleet...
...instances of recent unavoidable difficulties, Conroy mentioned Samoa, Cuba, Hawall and Venezuela. He closed by declaring most emphatically that the United States is no longer isolated from the rest of the world, but is constantly in more or less danger of war...
John Kirkland Clark who spoke second for Yale, followed the lines of argument of his colleague, and showed that the only possible use for a large sea-going fleet, is in case of war. War, however, is most improbable, (1) on account of our geographical situation, (2) on account of our inherent strength. Clark concluded by asking whether we are justified in spending 100 millions to forestall such an unlikely evil. He had a smooth delivery, and in general his points were well taken. His chief fault was lack of unity, and a tendency to repeat what had already been...
...third Harvard speaker, Wilbur Morse, spoke earnestly and distinctly with much force and persuasion. He said that as long as we keep our position under the Monroe doctrine as protector of the South American republics, they act as colonies. As to our love for England, the war scare last December did not show it. As to our navy, the present rate of increase is not adequate. As for torpedo boats they must be classed with the sea-going navy. Furthermore a large and immediate increase in the navy is demanded as an insurance for the property invested in the coast...
...rebuttal Carleton said that the Harvard men had had an interview with Admiral Belknap, who said that torpedo boats are a part of the sea-going navy. "We have proved," he said, "that war is a possibility at any time, and this justifies an adequate system of defence which is a sea-going navy...