The Wilmingtonian., 1886-08-14
EngIand's Big Gnns.

our seaports to include the modern arma-
ments of France, Germany, Or Italy.
But, England, especially, has these ire
mendous machines of modern warfare placed
in position in close contiguity to us on this
continent. At Halifax, at the Bermdas,
and at Victoria, ih Puget's Sound.
From these points her large ponderous
ironcads can issue forth armed with guns
whose range is such that the ships might
anchor ten or twelve miles away from sea-
port like New York and in few hours do
an incalcuble amount of damage. 1t is the
literal fact that an English fleet could to-
day come to anchor outside of the range of
the defences of New York harbor where no
American cannon could reach them and be-
tween sunrise and sunset reduce the chief
city of this continent to ashes
The fact is we are at the mercy of any
European fleet this moment, and, unpatri-
otic though it may appear it would be far
wiser. in the contingency of an embroilmsn,
with England OF any other European power
for the United States government to make
any compromise and make any sacrifice
rather than risk what we might be subjected
to under our present dvfenceless condition
This is not very exhilarating talk for
patriotic American. But let us be logical
and inquire why this is so.
1t is true that it sounds something very
like treason to ones country to speak in this
way. There is treason somewhere in the
vicinity.-We think it may be placed at the
door of those whose duty it is to see that our
seaports are in proper state of defence
In twelve hours the city of New York
might be damaged to the extent of $500, 600,
900 by the bombardment of foreign fleet /!
And even We're the United States govern
ment given six months notice of the intend
ed sack of the city there is no power or pos
SlolS pIONlslOu W pleNeuJ u.
In the Senate last week committee re-
port stated that it would take six years to
develop a plant in this country suitable or
capable of furnishing ordnance of the cali.
bre needed to oppose fleet of the desoip-
tion referred to above.
We have at present nothing of the kind
in the country. And this is the final state
ment upon that question.
Such is the result of the investigation of
various Congressional committee appointed
specially for that purpose Of investigation.
Is there not grave responsibility attach
ed to those in power for the last decade who
have neglected the considerations of these
matters. Is it not a grave derelictiou of
duty-is it not worse still, is it not more
akin to constructive treason!
When France in 1872, in her war with
Germany, suddenly discovered that her ar
senals were empty of modern guns, that her
armies existed only on paper, that half her
rifles were of antique pattern-in fact that
the fine figures usually paraded before the
eyes of the public showing immense resource
ofmilitary equipment were unfcunded ou fact
and naught but tissue of lies, and conse
quently that France at the time of declara
tion of war had but one man to place face to
face to Germany's five! How the faces Of
the inhabitants of Paris blaunhed white with
fierce anger how the Paristans marched up
and down the streets of the capital crying
out I'VE are betrayed treason treason ~
And that was all true. France had been
betrayed by s government into the suppos-
tiou that her army aud fleet was superior to
that of Germany, while it was relatively
worthless. But the few French army Corps,
with ld-fashioned riffs and antiquated
be slaughtered in detail by the properly
equipped German legions.
Were not the French betrayed Undoubt-
edly they were That is matter of history
now. And history says it was the treason
of their own government.
There millions and millions of our cit
zens to-day who are imbued with the belief
that in this country wo can construct, at
short notice, any kind Of ordinance or ar
manent needed who suppose that because
we are SO great aud so rich in most things,
in native talent as we'll as anything else, that
we can fit out, right away fleet with an
armament equal to the modern European.
This is not the case. And it is very far
away from the fact, if the most reliable an
thority aud the best that a Congress onal
committee can discover goes for anything.
Last week it was stated iii the Senate that
the only way wc could now get canton of
grade similar u the best European is BY
purchasing it abroad
Here we have neither the plant nor the
knowledge Of instruction we have to
any degree is the raw material.
Its the most ridiculous fdtnity to bluster
about American ingenuity and capacity for
emergency. 1t is claimed by those who