Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-03

Two United States senators. both rec
ognized as of more than ordinary abil-
ity and commanding II considerable in
tlucnce. have recently given to the pub
lie their views regarding the relations
between Great Britain and the United
States. Both are in favor of II firm and
decided course on the part of the United
States in relation to the maintenance
and enforcement of the Monroe doc
trinc. which is doubtless in accord with
the sentiment of Il large majority of the
American people. but these senators do
not stop with this. They urge Il policy
on the part of this government essen
tally hostile in its character to Great
Britain. which if adopted and strictly
followed could hardly fail to sooner or
later bring on Il conflict between the
two nations. One of them has gone so
far as to say that Il var between the
United States and England is inevitable.
1t will arise. he declared, on account of
British disregard for our direct inter
ests and will also be forced by British
encroachments upon other nations all
over the world. For the vindication of
the Monroe doctrine in the western hem
iSphere and the protection of the indie
pendent governments in the eastern hem
isphere and the islands of the ocean,
said this senator. "it is necessary that
the United States should prepare for
and go to war with England. 1t is seri-
Gus business. but it had better come
now and be over than fifty years from
now" 'o
Such an utterante from a citizen not
in public life would receive no consider
alton. Unquestionably there are many
thousands of men who hold a like view
and who would heartily welcome and
approve an aggressive policy on the
part of this country toward Great Brit
ain. But coming from u man holding
the distinguished and influential posi-
ton of United States senator and upon
whom may be devolved the great and
grave responsibility of acting upon the
question whether this nation shall go
to war, the utterahce of uch an opinion
must arrest attention. Its source gives
it significance and seriousness. 1t is the
congress that alone has authority under
the constitution to prepare for war and
to declare war, and when q member of
proclaims his belief that Il war with
England must come and ought to come,
it cannot be regarded as an idle and
meaningless expression, however rash
and foolish it may be. What would be
the effect upon the American mind if a
prominent and influential member of the
British Parliament We're to publicly de-
clare that war between England and
the United States is inevitable and that
the former should prepare for and go
to war with this country? Can there
be any doubt that such Il declaration
would arouse the resentment of the
American people and a%ggravate the
spirit of %antagonism toward England?
There are few Americans ready to
offer any excuse for or defense of Brit
ish policy. SO far as this hemisphere is
concerned the people of the United
States are practically unanimous in the
determination to resist any attempt at
British aggression here. They expect
from congress Il plain and emphatic
declaration that neither Great Britain
nor any other European power will be
permitted to extend its sovereignty in
this hemisphere or to menace the indie
pendence and integrity of an American
state. But we de not want war, and
instead OF preparing for and inviting
war all our efforts and influence should
be directed to the maintenance of peace,
and he is a wrong-headed and rash
counsellor. and according to the meas
ure of his influence Il dangerous one,
who advises otherwise. The mission of
this republic is one of peace and the
advancement of civilization. 1t has had
enough of costly and destructive con
tlicts. We shall maintain our rights and
protect our interests at home and
abroad. but we shall seek war with no
nation and shall accept it only when
every other means of preserving III
rights and fulfilling our obligations have
failed.
Our government is now in possession
of a COPY of tine record of the French
military cOurt which tried and con-