The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-05-18
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

The remarks by General Lord Wolsely .
few days ago in an after dinner speech dis
paraging England's military and naval con.
dition - "defenceless," inspired = degree Of
uneasiness there that has perhaps not been
equaled since the famous pamphlet on "the
Conquest of England" It called from Lord
Salisbury, the Duke of Cambridge and the
First Lord Of the Admiralty, vigorous pro-
tests in the Lords, and my Lord Wolsely
Wa informed that the place to make such
be answered and not in post prandial
speeches. On the other hand, Wolsely's
friends assert it would have been a breach Of
tradition To impeach the administration in
parliament, but it was permissible in . pat
rlotic, unofficial assemblage. Salisbury as
serts both the army and navy had been in
creased since 1894, from 1927 men to 212,-
40, and the expenses of the navy to $751;
100000. Wolsely retorte6 q day or two If
ter in the Commons. BE admitted the de-
fensive power of England had been increas-
ed lately, but IS long as the navy is a. weak
q 1t is now the army could not hold its own,
dispersed IS it was all over the world. The
defences at home were in \ bad condition.
The military forces were not organized as
they should be. They do not guarantee even
the safety of the capital. He did not want
ia, create . panic, but he maintained that the
condition of the country was such that 1t
100 900 men succeeded in affecting . landing
and were properly handled, there was no
reason why that they might not take poses
sion of the country. He made this state
ment with the full appreciation Of his re-
sponsibillty. He h.d been tempted to resign
on Saturday afternoon after reading
Lord Salisbury had said. The house could
not take the init alive in the matter, but he
placed himself in the hands Of the Premier.
This is . most remarkable statement from
the source it comes. With the greatest
navy in the world and a standing army sew
en- times greater than the United States, the
admission is made by its greatest general
that even its capital is not secure and that
100000 men could capture England. Of
course, it is understood that "disperslon" is
4 chief occasion Of the condition, but with
domain on which the sur never sets 1t never
can be else. But the point in the above is
the sensation this defenceless condition just
exposed, is creating in England and the de-
mand that is sweeping the country for rem.
edial measures. If England, defended As
she is, is defsnceless; if her capital and sea
coast cities are insecure, what shall be said
of the United States? And if an intimation
like Wolsely's, shall rouse every Brjton to
energetic demand for better condition, why
will America permit her Congress to trife
and dole in years Of peace while all her
shore lines, her sea port cities and her CAPT.
tai are At the mercy of n English war
ship. Samuel Tilden, when he anticipated
inaugural, in his last words 10
the American people, plead for immediate
national defences, and the expenditure of
the so called ~"surplus" in this absolutely
essential matter of national security; but
Cleveland, three years later in . q idea
message ignores, if he ever thought Of, Til
den's words of wisdom and urges q course
that will neither increase our navy, defend
our coasts nor reduce our debt, but that
will cripple American industries so that the
upon the Treasury requisite for these
purposes will work distressful hardship.
But a few days ago a $780, 0 900 appropria-
lion for the River and Harbor bill-known
rs = largely semi.annual fraud-went
the House with a whirl and if it
passes the Senate, will lie approved by the
President. All England is q fortress compar-
ed to the United States, her sea ships floating
citadels, and her armies legion, yet she will
rouse to this warning of Wo lsely while the
United States slumbers on.