Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-12
In Case of War.
Nashville Banner.)

The refusal of the British Government
TO submit the Venezuelan question TO
arbitration seems to call for fight or
backdown on the part OF one OF the
countries concerned. There should be no
more war between England and America.
There should be no more war anywhere
il II were possible TO restrain the Del
igerent propenslties OF the amman
called man-but most especially should
peaceful relations be maintained between
the two great nations of the English
snoaking world. Aside from all seni-
mental considerations that may come
am ties of consanguinity, a common
language and a common history, the Poo
ME Of the Anglo-Saxon hood VINO
dominate the United States. Great
Britain, and the extensive colonies OF the
after nation are living force that
stands for the highest attachments OF
human liberty and human advancement
II would be unseemly and most deplora-
BILE that these people should reno ana
seek TO destroy one another In the horri-
BILE encounter of war The GOOD sense
of both the English and Americans Is
too strong to permit sanguinary con-
flict over a trivial dispute, and II Is 10
be hoped that Lord salisbury's govern
ment will yet prove less obdurate and
n
question.
But If both nations stand stubbornly
I'm the contention that now divides them
and by wager of bate only can the
question be decided, then 1t becomes
proper to consider the probable termina-
ton of such a conflict.
Great Britain has the stronger navy, I'M
auestonably the strongest In the
word. but at the same time 1t has an
,mmence merchant marine that all OF Its
armed ships could not protect from the
rayages of American cruisers. The life
of the British empire is its commerce,
and in the event of war with the
United States numerous ships would be
speedily fitted out to make prizes OF the
merchantmen flying the British flag.
The United States suffers weakness In
the almost defenceiess condition of her ex-
tensive coast, and unless the United
States navy could keep British vessels
| al bay, extensive damage would very
likely be suffered in some Of the larger
| cities on the Atlantic. The coast de-
| fences have been considerably improved OF
| iate years. and so has the navy, but
| neither is adequate TO the necessities OF
| war with a great naval power like
| Great Britain. The United States could
| readily repel a British invasion at any
point that it might be attempted. If the
| raw and ragged Continental troops of
| more than century ago made war
| OF subjugarion impossible. and General
| Jackson hurled back the red coat vete-
fans with Tennessee and Kentucky
| volunteers In 1875, the British soldiers
could surely obtain no foothold in America
| to-day.
The Dominion of Canada would prove
an easy prey 10 the Americans. Oui
| armies could overrun and subduc H. Nc
force of imperial troops could be SEM
| there strong enough to resist such 9
| force as would be sent to the attack
The United States could now muster ar
army almost doubly as strong as th'
combined Federal and Confederate armie
Of the late civil war, and such an army
would be invincihle anywhere OH th'
North American continent. Canadl
could be conquered Ia one campaign. anC
once conquered II would never again be {
British possession.
And Eng and could not well enter int
war with the United states wthop
sacrificing her Eastern interests, which
are worth more than all Venezuela. Hel
difficulties in this part of the worl'
would afford an opportunity to Russi'
which tina, ambitious nation would b
certain e. make OF much avail. On IN
whole. the United States would have III
advantage, hut u would be no child's pia.
:. ~ either side. and the outpour OF bloo'
and treasure would cost both countr'e
many times the value Of ali Venezuela