The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-23

$4,000, 600 people: the aggregate wealth
ana resources os the United States are
greater. The British could not make {
conquest OF the United States, and the
maj result OF any war would be the an
nexation OF Canada TO the United States.
on the other hand, an invasion and con-
quest OF Great Britain by the United States
would be out OF the question. The most
that England could do in the matter OF
sending troops across the sea would be to
strengthen the garrisons OF her American
colonies. Hostile operations on her part
would be limited to the naval occupation
OF some OF our ports, the levying of contri-
buttons on some cities, and the blockade
OF our coast. These operations, it is
thought, could be successful only to a very
limited extent in the first outbreak of hos
tllities The chief OF engineers, Gen.
Newton, says 'Eor the first time in the
development OF the modern art of war the
engineer has solved, with mathematical
certainty, the problem of closing harbors
and rivers against hostile ships so that
the sole question in every case would
be whether the importance OF the
place would justify the cost" England
would be obliged to fight all land battles
over here against our superior national
wealth, promptly available resources and
superior military strength ON the around.
Inc active militia of Canada is about 81. =
600 men. The actual militia strength of
the States stretching along or convenient
to the Canadian border foots up $1,000
men. British naval strength would no.
be OF use TO her on the 81. Lawrence or
the great lakes. Gen. sheridan made n
AnnnImN 81 4
more than year ego. The canal locks
Could be blown up in week after war was
declared. Besides, if the canals were not
touched, they can give passage only TO
small boats. The ann of Great Britain
would be to get into our harbors and
destroy property but two can play ut that
game. England has S2O0,00O,0 900 of COM
merce aiioat every day OF the year. Our
last cruisers would go at this commerce,
and neutrality-suspicious. would create panic
IN London in twenty-iour hours after hos
tlllties were opened. We will soon have
dozen OF these cruisers, faster than any
OF the English ironclads, and on this class
oil war vessels great reliance is placed.
Secretary Whitney saws: 1.-The attacking
cruiser has every advantage. Tho English,
IN their recent naval msncuycrs, exp.r.-
mented in this way: A cruiser was sent
out into the Irish seas 20 act rs commerce
destroyer. Four other cruisers, superior
IN speed and force, were sent after her.
the regular British squadron were notified
TO capture her. She cludcd them all, and
IN fiity-iour hours had captured iifty.seyen
prizes, and when the fictitious war closed,
after about four days, she was still at large
and ready 10 operate against British com
mcrce." II is claimed by Secretary Whit
ney that twelve war vessels of the Bati-
more type, such rs are now being con-
slructod in the United States, cruising
across the lines of commerce on the
ocean, would be able to destroy more
property IN ninety days than the entire
British navy would be able 10 reach
and destroy upon our coasts. The propcriy
OF Great Britain exposed 10 our attack 3
not houses in the cities, but their food
supply and the elements on which the
existence OF their business depends. Com
paratiycly few OF the American ports can
be entered by the largest OF British armed
vessels, and most OF these have difficult
channels capable OF defense. San Fran
cisco, Port Townsend, Puget sound and
Portland, Me-, are exceptions, being not
capabl lie OF perfect torpedo defense. Long
Island sound AMI the Chesapeake bay
would have TO he defended by naval
forces. Secretary Whitney believed, how.
ever, that our ports generally NAV be
defended. as was demonstrated
10y the recent naval mancuvcts on the
British coasts and by the German
naval maneuyeB at Kiel, where a
powerful fleet was repulscd in an
attack by submarine deienscs. The
Secretary is reported 10 have gone into
n number OF interesting details, all Of
which are encouraging. The chief
OF the navy department thinks that We
could 90 to war with England in a very
short time and make no bad showing Tor
lie thinks IL IL humilialing
that we have no fighting ships, but we will
get them in time. In the meanwhile We
have the fastest commerce dcstroyers
liloat. and we are able 10 defend our ports
with torpcdoes But We need a great deal
more Of navy and many more guns and
much moro extensive coast defense before
We should permit ourselves 10 indulge in
sense OF security The administration
has made good beginning with the fast
cruisers, and what else il nccdful may bc
expected in good time under a prudent,
honest aud active government.