The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-01-15

"S'S"U ""s cNct ua2ScO. 0ltnOuGh thcy
have been known to attain a weight Of
forty pounds.
Our Dangers From Without.
Let It's glance hastily at some Of tho
possible and probable sources Of difficulty
from abroad. This is Il nation Of more
than 5O,Mo,00o of people, proud, self
reliant, cntcrprising and courageous.
Well, within the memories of largo
part of our population We possessed a
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 pro-
ducts of our soil and of our manufac-
tories. 1t is certain as fate that under
the pressure of necessity. and with wise
legislation, our commercial marine will
soon revive. and ere long resume its old
position before the world.
One effect of this change will be to
throw us into still closer relations with
the other nations relations in tho main
very beneficial to all, but at the same
time rendering lis moro liable to be
affected by their difficulties. and neccs-
sarily giving risc to causes Of friction
from which VIC ire iiow free.
For example, When the western, Attain
tic is once more crowded with our ships
engaged iii commerce with all parts Of
the world, we will begin to ask ourselves
by what righta foreign nation holds a
Gordon of fortified naval stations COM
man'ting so many avenues of approach
to our shores. and enabling it to cut off
our vessels in the event of war. Halifax,
the Bcrmudas, Nassau, and Jamaica are
important to England not so much for
purpose of self-protcction, not so much
for her own commerce, 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 blockade.r,,nning
would have been wcll-nigh impossible.
This is one cause of friction which
must inevitably arise with our growth,
and one reason why VIC should be pre-
pated to defend our sca-coast.
Other similar probabilities could be
mentioned, as in the event of the qucs-
ton arising of the ccssion of Cuba by
Spain TO any other European power.
/ do not think that we should desire
the acquisition of Cubn-ccrtainly not
for long time to come-but we should
and would so TO war rather than allow
that key of the Gulf to pass into the
hands of any other European nation.
There is no reason. apparently, why
our relations with tie Dominion of Cam
ada should be other than most friendly,
but so long as her connection with
Great Britain remains unchanged, she
would necessarily become involved in
any difficulty arising between her moth
u country ana ourselves.
There is no absolute necessity for
hbstilities With ftexico; but when we
consider tic wide difference Of religion;
race, laws, and habits between lis; il ii
possible that trouble may grow out Of
questions arising from the business re-
lations SO rapidly developing, the large
investments of American capital in rail-
ways and other industrial enterprises,
the grcnt number Of our people consc-
quently residing in Mexico, and the Oft
recurring border difficulties, and tho
conclusion Is inevitable that it would
be tnwisc to assume that no difficulty
can occur requiring the employment ii
troops.
The subject of the construction of
canals across the Isthmus is of vast in
tercst to us. Should the Paiiaiita Cana,
ever be completed, and even during its
construction. serious questions are like
ly to arise, requiring us to be prepared
to enforce our rights and protect the
privileges Of our commerce.
When in the liear future the inevita,
bic construction of the Nicaragua Canal
is undertaken and completed by Amcri-
can capital, under the protection of our
government, we must still more be pre-
pared to defend its neutrality and insure
its undisturbcd Use as the best possible
water route between our Atlantic and
Pacific Coasts.
1t is unnecessary to multiply exam
pies. My purpose has been accom-.
plished if it has been shown that there
is such probability of strained rcla-
tions with other countries as to render
it incumbent upon US to maintain GER
tain state of preparation for war. If we
remain entirely unprepared, it is quite
certain that the emergencies will arise
all too promptly, while if We are ready
for them. hostilitics may we'll be avert
ed.-Georgc D. Mcclellan, tn Harpcr's
Magazine.