Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-04-09
WAR AND IT'S RESULTS.

conceded that while war IS not prob
able the affair has serious side.
If Italy insists upon the first demand
stated in Baron Fava's note to the
state department a disagreement will
arise which can not be compromised.
fo- it is impossible that our govern,
ment can give assurance of the punish
ment of the New Orleans people who
took part in the attack on the Jail. In
fact our government must be prepared
to see them go scott free and take
measures accordingly.
The second demand-that of repara-
ton to the families of italian subjects
may be met generously.
The tone of Baron Fava's note is
almost insulting. 1t makes us feel like
fighting anyhow. But if the first de-
mand is Withdrawn settlement can
soon be made.
Suppose Italy will not abandon any
part of the position in which she has
placed herself Then there may be a
declaration of war. How are we pre-
pared?
Not so imperfectly as many suppose
We begin with the great advantage of
having little merchant marine to worry
over and the most effective torpedo out
fit in the world. If Italy sent to sea Il
few fast cruisers our coastwise vessels
would be driven to harbor, but our
railroad system is so complete that
trade would not be interrupted an hour.
Our resources would not be affected
and our business only put to trifiing
inconvenience. Assuming that our
seaports can be protected against the
| throwing of shells at long range. we
would suffer almost no damage.
What damage could we infiict? A
great deal. Italy has d commerce and
a merchant marine. We have number
of fast ships armored and unarmored.
Not only that; we have dozens Of ex-
tremeIy fast steam yachts capable of
carrying two or three rlf1ed cannon
apiece. They could be bought, armed
1t is not to be doubted that they could
get into the Mediterranean and practic-
ally close Italian ports. They could
not fight war vessels, but no war vessel
owned by Italy could catch one and no
merchant vessel could escape one. We
could fill tue seas with these craft be-
fore a numbering man. of wal could
leave Gibraltar.
Our seapOrts are comparatively un-
protected, but Italy's only chance to
lombard them effectually lies in her
| four great ironclads. If they left the
Mediterranean the White squadron
could enter that sea. Then there would
be hurrying to and fro from the toe
of the Italian boat to Venice.
If the great ironclads reached this
coast their coal would be exhausted
and either they would have to depend
on Goa! assistance from companion
ships or be helpless. 1t is question
risk of bad weather in crossing the
Atlantic and hanging on a coast that il
dangerous in easterly winds. Give
them the benefit of seaworthiness
firing of guns. We would not be idle
TOrpedoes from shore and from torpe-
doe boats would be ready for them
Their guns may have a range of nine
| A
has steering range from shore of five
or six miles and a long range from &
boat. One of these torpedoes, explod
ing within fifty feet of ship, woulC
sink it almost certainly. The chance:
of getting a crack at bombardins
fleet would be much in favor of the
torpedists. At night the fleet must
anchor or steam about. at anchor il
would be easy prey Under way, the
ships could not keep close together ex
cept in calm weather and watchfu
torpedo boats would nip one before
4 long.
}, Italy is crazy if the present demand
are more than politics for home con
sumption. She has all to lose ant
nothing to make by a war with tn,
United States. Size can not. with tn,
rest of the triple alliance behind her
, either whip or frighten Us. She has {;
debt of over So coo. 600 eco and is run
nlDg behind. Her government can no
, half keep order in its own brigand rid
den provinces.
A bit of prudence for the Italians il
America can be recommended. If th
: thing goes far enough to arouse rea
war spirit here and the talk of tn
J Italians here preserves its pitch, ther
will be some thousands of white face,
} fools begging protection from tn
soldiers of the United States. Most O
them never saw Americans get int
e 6ghtiI humor. They do not kno'
4l that blAster which is tolerated goo
IA n inn Otp1llv at s5ne time NAV he q deadl