The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-28
the 18th inst. at her home In Dublin, Ind
Heroines as well as heroes memory ought to he
cherished
OUR DANGER FROM WITHOUT.
Our Foreign Relations Viewed from q MILF
tary Stand-Point.

tary Stand-Potnt,
Gen. George b. Mcclellan. in January Harper.
Let US hastily glance at some of the possible
and probable sources OF difficulty from abroad.
This Is nation of more than so 600 0G0 of peo
pie, proud. self-reliant, enterprising and coura
geous. Well within the memories of large part
of our population we possessed vast mercantile
marine, whose flag was seen in every port OF the
known world. One of our greatest needs is an
outlet in foreign markets for the immense prod-
uc5s of our soil and of our manufactures 1t ia
certain as fate that under the pressure of neces-
sity, and with wise legislation, our commercial
marine viii! soon revive, and ere long resume its
old position before the world
One effect of this change will be to throw M
into still closer relations with the other nations
relations in the main very beneficial to all
but at the same time rendering us more liable
10 be affected by their difficulties and necessa-
rity giving rise to causes of friction from which
we are now free
For example, when the western Atlantic Is
once more crowded with our ships engaged in
commerce with al parts of the world, we will
begin to ask ourselves by what right foreign
nation holds a Gordon of fortified naval sta
lions commanding so many avenues of ap-
proach to our shores, and enabling it to cut
off our vessels in the event of war. Halifax,
the Bermudas, Nassau and Jamaica are I'M
portant to England not so much for purpose Of
self protection, not so much for her own COM
merce, as they are for bases Of operation against
us. In the late war; If Bermuda and Nassau
had been in our possession, the contest would
have been shortened some two years, for block
ade-running would have been well-nigh' impos
sibe.
This is one cause of friction which must inev
ltably arise with our growth, and one reason
why we should be prepared to defend our sea.
coast.
Other similar probabilities could be mentioned.
as in the event of the question arising of the
cession of Cuba by Spain to any other European
power
do not think that we should desire the &C.
QUESTION OF Cuba-certainly not for long tins
to come-but we should and would 60 to war
rather than allow that key of the gulf to pass
into the hands of any other European nation.
Ihere IS no reason. apparently, why our re-
latlons with the Dominion of Canada should be
other thar most friendly but so long as her con-
nection with Great Britain remains unchanged
she would necessarily become involved in any
difficulty arising between her mother country
and ourselves.
There Is no absolute necessity for hostlities with
Mexico, but when we consider the wide differ
ences Of religion, race, laws and habits between
us, 1T is possible that trouble may grow ont of
questions arising from the business relations so
rapidly developing, the large investments of
American capital in railways and other indus
trial enterprises, the great number of our peo-
pie consequently residing in Mexico, and the
oft-recurring border difficulties. and the conclu-
sion is inevitable that it would be unwise TO as
sumo that no difficulty can occur requiring the
The subject of the construction of canals
across the isthmus is Of vast interest TO u.s.
Should the Panama canal ever be completed and
even during constructions serious questions are
likely to arise requiring to be prepared to
enforce our rights and protect the privileges Of
our commerce.
When in the near future the inevitable con-
struction of the Nicaragua canal is undertaken
and completed by American capital under the
protection Of our government, we must still
more Je prepared to defend its neutrality and
insure its undisturbed use as the best possible
water route between our Atlantic and Pacific
coasts.
1t is unnecessary to multiply examples My
purpose has been accomplished if it has been
shown that there is such probability of strained
relations with other countries as to render il in
cumbent upon us to maintain q certain state of
preparation for war. If We remain entirely I'M
prepared it is quite certain that the emergen-
cies will arise all too promptly while if we are
ready for them, hostilties may we'll be averted.