National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-24
THE END OF ALL WAR.
A Graphic Picture of the Possibilities
of the Torpedo Boat and Privateer.


of the Torpedo Boat and Privateer.
In an article written by the French Ad-
miral Aube in the atlas Colonial, after
having proven that the fight of squadrons
has lived its time, that the torpedo has
killed the ironclad in.squadrons, that certain
sea operations, blockade of coasts, landing
of army corps, and naval tattles are an
anachronism, the admiral says
Naval warfare will now be industrial war,
the war of privateers. The instruments of
this war will be the torpedo and gunboat
for defense and, united with cruisers in
fight, all having the greatest speed and all
reduced to their minimum dimensions,
constitute their autonomic and their eff
fcctive strength
The number, the speed, and the invisi'
bility are the factors and are the superior
ity of these war instruments.
But this future war, this industrial war,
this war Of privateers at the same time
offensive and defensive lis only possible, on
one condition, that is these officers In charge
Of torpedo boats and cruisers, plunderers
without mercy of the commercial roads Of
the ocean, must have provisions, and must
find in all these roads safe hiding places
which are always open.
This war Of industry will be war with
out mercy, and In spite of all protests Of
hum anity and law Of internationl rights.
These rights ofwarwill happen. Might makes
right. War is confirmation Of right. 1t is
the recourse Of force, queen Of The world, Of
an entire people, In the event Of a univer
sal fight for its existence. All things are not
only permitted but are considered legal
toward the enemy.
1t is the law, and 1t has the sanction of
all scientific law, which Is facts. Whenever
facts sanction the law we proclaim 1t.
The days when the theory of the rights
of war was not discussed, when the theory
OF war was even imposed against the most
rebel spirits, how were these naval wars
preparedS A man. of-war, priyateer, and
merchantmen are in presence OF each
other. One becomes the prize of the other,
part of the crew OF the captor takes in
tow his prize. This prize Is brought to the
nearest point, otherwise the whole crew is
put on the captor. Humanity is safe. Safe
also the rights of war.
Tomorrow the war is proclaimed, tor
pedo boat autonomy, two officers, twelve
men crew, has seen a packet boat having a
cargo richer than the richest GALLONS of
Spain ever had, the crew, the passengers
perhaps count by the hundreds; would the
commander of the torpedo boat inform the
captain of the packet boat that he Is there,
that he is watching him, that he can sink
him, and consequently can make him a
prisoner, lie, his crew, his passengers, in
one word will take him in tow to the
nearest point. This declaration would be as
stupid as the French declaration at FOntenoy,
''To you English gentlemen" The cap
tain Of the packet boat would answer with
well directed shell, which would sink to the
bottom the torpedo boat, the crew, and the
chiyalric officers and then follow his way
without stopping. No, the commander Of
the torpedo boat will, at distance and In
visible, follow the packet boat which he has
recognized, and when night has arrived he
Will in the most quiet way possible sink
the packet boat, crew, cargo, and passen-
gers; he will not only be satisfied with the
damage done, but happy, and be ready
again for other victims
All sensitive hearts which the eighteenth
century has left us as legacy must mourn,
all congresses Of peace may hold their hui
manitarian meetings, all diplomatists may
make new laws in regard TO wars, but II war
is declared between two maritime powers,
like a lion lying in wait to tear in pieces
his defenseless Victim, so the torpedo boat
will be ready to sink the ships of the enemy.
Every night, and the shadow Of night, will
protect in every point of the ocean such
atrocities.
Others can protest, but we salute In 1t
the supreme law of progress, in which we
have faith, and the result will be no more
wars