Question: "Resolved, That the welfare of the U. S. demands a large and immediate increase in the navy."

Brief for the Affirmative:

F. T. HAMMOND and E. S. TOWNSEND.

Best general references: Forum, vol. 9, p. 326 et. seq; N. A. Rev. vol. 149, p. 52 et seq; McAdoos Speech in Cong. Rec. vol. 20, pt. 2, p. 1436; Report of the Sec. of the Navy 1791-92, p. 30 et seq.

I. The U. S. needs a large navy. - (1) In case of war between foreign nations. - (a) To preserve her neutrality; Rep. of Sec. of Navy, p. 32 - (b) To protect American citizens living abroad. Cong. Rec. vol. 20, pt. 2, p. 1440; - (2) If involved in war. - (a) to guard her coasts from foreign attack; Forum vol. 6, p. 370; vol. 9, pp. 326, 327; - (b) To protect her commerce. - (c) To prey upon the commerce of the enemy as in 1812; History of the U. S., Adams, vol. II p. 160. - (3) In time of peace. - (a) To add weight to her demands. - (b) To prevent insults from foreign powers: Rep. of Sec. of Navy, p. 32.

II. The navy of the U. S. should be increased as (1) It is too small to protect her interests. N. A. Rev. vol. 149, p. 57. - (2) Peace is more likely to be maintained if prepared for war. - (3). The navies of other countries of great commercial importance are much larger. Statesman's Year Book, 1892, pp. 59, 488, 549, 1079. - (4) It is more economical to support a navy for years than to suffer loss resulting from the destruction of our commerce in a few weeks: Forum vol. 9, p. 326. - (5) The navy cannot be increased from our mercantile marine as formerly.

III. Action should be taken immediately as - (1) It requires a long time to build ships of the modern type: Annual Encyc. 1888, p. 789; N. A. Rev. vol. 149, p. 58. - (2) To train seamen for the navy is a long process; N. A. Rev. vol. 149, p. 509. - (3) The threatening attitude of certain foreign powers may precipitate war at any time; N. A. Rev. vol. 148, p. 2; Forum vol. 6, p. 66, vol. 8, p. 317. - (4) The U. S. should be fully prepared for any unexpected events; Forum vol. 9, pp. 327 and 328; vol. 8, p. 317.

Brief for the Negative.

J. C. BRECKENRIDGE and J. E. YOUNG. General references: The Century Magazine of April, 1889, vol. 37; Nation, April 18, 1889; Mulhall's dictionary of statistics, pp. 414-418; Cong. Records, vol. 20, pp. 1773-1827, and vol. 21, appendix, pp. 175-178.

1. The possession of a large navy would be contrary to the general policy of the United States. (a) A navy is an offensive and not a defensive weapon.

2. A large navy is not necessary, (a) U. S. has no colonies to protect; (b) The shipping, - American goods being shipped in foreign patterns. (c) Present navy effective agst. an enemy's commerce; Holman in Cong. Record, vol. 21, pp. 175-178. (d) Present navy sufficient to uphold national dignity. (e) There is no probability of a war with a strong nation.

3. An increased navy would be a useless and unnecessary expense. (a) The first cost would be great. (b) The cost of maintenance would be great. (c) The expenses of the U. S. are already very great. (d) Thus a part of the advantages resulting from our isolation would be forfeited. Century Magazine, April, 1889, vol. 37. (e) Money could be better spent in other ways. (1) in building a merchant marine. (2) subsidising steamships, Cong. Record, vol. 20, pp. 1773-1827.

4. A large navy increases the propensity of a nation for war. (a) Barrundia and Chilian affairs.