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to compete with European fleets.- (a) It is inferior in actual numbers: Harper's Weekly, Jan. 11, '96.- (b) It is inferior in strength of battle ships: N. A. Rev. 148, p. 55.

IV. War is not improbable.- (a) The mischievous influence of the press is powerful.- (1) Shown in the case of England's entering on the Crimean War.- (2) Shown in our recent dispute with England.- (b) Our inconsiderate action in 1812 shows this.- (c) The recent Venezuelan quarrel proves it.

V. An adequate navy would lessen the likelihood of war.- (a) The expense and cruelty of war would be appreciated.- (b) Foreign nations would be inspired with-(1) fear and-(2) respect.

VI. The creation of an adequate navy should be carried on at once.- (a) It requires time to-(1) construct a navy: Forum IX p. 325-(2) train seamen.

Brief for the Negative.H. L. BELISLE and C. E. BRYAN.

Best general references: Nation, LIV, 44 (Jan. 21, 1892); LXII, 47 (Jan. 16, 1896); LVI, 190-91 (March 16, 1893); LXI, 234-35 (Oct. 3, 1895).

I. General policy of the United States in the past has been to dispense with a navy: Nation LIV, 44.- (a) Foreign complications have been settled by peaceful methods.- (1) Oregon boundary.- (2) Aiabama claims.- (3) Maximilian trouble.- (4) Behring Sea question.

II. An increase of the navy is unnecessary: Nation, LXII, 47.- (a) We have no commerce to protect.- (1) More than 86 per cent. of our own carrying trade done by foreign ships: Statistical abstract of the U. S., 1894, p. 282.- (b) No colonies to protect-(c) We make no attempts at territorial aggrandizement likely to result in war.- (d) Invasion by foreign enemy is practically impossible: Nation LVI, 190-91.- (e) General reasons for existence of large European navies do not apply to us: Nation LXII, 47.- (1) We have no colonial interests conflicting with those of other American or European nations.- (2) There is no balance of power to be maintained in America as in Europe.- (f) United States can attain greatness without large armaments: Nation LVI. 137.

III. An increase of the navy is undesirable.- (a) Original cost would be great.- (b) Cost of maintenance would be large.- (c) Existence of a large navy magnifies the chances of war.- (1) Country has to be more sensitive to so-called "insults against national honor": Nation LXII, 47.- (x) Efficiency of armaments depends on belief that war is imminent: Nation LIV, 44; LVI, 360. (2) Increase of foreign complications and growth of war spirit in the United States has been commensurate with recent growth of navy: Nation LVI. 44.- (x) Those in authority have unnecessarily seized opportunities of getting the nation into trouble.- (I) Barrundia affair-(II) Chilian affair.- (III) Hawilan affair-(IV) Venezuela question.- (y) Those in navy impatient for war: Nation LVI, 44.- (I) It is their business.- (II) It brings them honors.- (z) They have endeavored to arouse in the people a similar warlike spirit: Nation LXI, 234-5; LIV, 44.