New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-05
ENGLISH And AMERICAN INFLUENCE ~
THE WORLD.

The London Times of Dec. % after comment
ing on the smallness Of the American army and navy
and contrasting them with the British Observes The
Americans though pursuing policy Of economy and dis
armament far unhesiatingly than we have done
eontrve nevertheless 10 command much respect il
they were armed to the teeth, whereas We with arma
ments far extensive tCd that we have lost our
title to the consideration OF the world 1t is worth while
inqurng how such facts. If facts they are, can be ac
counted Tor or explained.
The first and most obvious reflection Is that nation OF
forty millions OF people, rich industrious, energetic, and
intrepid must comprise which enemy could
venture to despse. The Americans had army in 1860
but in 1862 they had hundreds OF thousands Of soldiers in
time they produced powerful fleet Of new formid
able fighting -ships. In the course OF five " = they
raised spent upward Of s6OO00O0 and such il the
magnitude their national that what they
did in the Civil War they eoud certainly, on similar
a people Of thirty millions; our wealth and credit are
practically inexhaustble and the most inyeerate alarm
st would not scrupe to admit that national spirit,
ronsed would he capable OF any efforts sacrifices.
one advantage it must be owned the Americans do Ger,
tainly eniOy-they are long way on II Is far cry
to Washington, and the Prussans observed much 70
correspondent in explanation OF their patience under
American Ofendings. But this consideration does not
touch American commerce, OF the liabilities OF the navy,
which, the President remarks Is the only instrument
at command OF the Union either for national defense
or the enforcement OF any foreign policy.
ton we seeking, and il will be found, believe.
far as il - applicable at ALL in the known readiness az
ing their practical appreciation of the benefits peace
Their exposed points comparatively few, their
war, they would not De slow to accept a challenge We,
the other hand have many points exposed, we make
of aversion from and II Is alleged that
almost any pTOvOcaton might be offered with IMMUNITY.
In these considerations there il certain force but we
must say that in opinion, the contrast Itself
from beginning 10 end is more apparent than real We
do not believe that what IL sometimes said OF us Is actu
ally thought either in America elsewhere. The people
who taun with reluctance to fight mostly those
who for purposes Of their own, desire to htng
As matter OF fact take it for granted that for
em States have not the mean opinion OF us which We
are occasionally pleased to suppose That we not
sudden quick in quarrel they know very we'll but
they know also that fight IL choose, that
power Is truly formidable and that when begin
we are not in hurry TO leave on To certain extent
they may presume doubt, on our love OF peace but
at the bottom they take uster measure OF temper
and resources than might be inferred from their
sOua sneers and our candid comments. Whenit
declared that England by the expression OF her Will
could have prevented between the two most
powerful nations Of Europe the belief itself might have
been false but the state OF opinion which IT Implied
was far nearer the truth thnn that which has been since
ed for