The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-02
SHOULD BE PREPARED.

A distinguished American officer has
recently told the Government in
semi-official way that in his opinion
the United States ought to get ready
for war that war may not come upon
us His thought is that we are in an
unprepared condition, which always in
vites insolence and assault, and that
in these times wars may develop and
become dangerous realities on forty
eight hours notice; that the day of de-
livery of intention by months and
weeks to do battle has passed. 1t would
seem to be impossible to look abroad
and see in the world anywhere any
threat against the United States. Weare
at peace with all nations and there would
seem to be nothing to indicate that the
serenity of the condition is at all like
ly to be broken save in one direction.
But it is probable the judgment of
majority of the thoughtful people OF
the United States that our republic
should be so equipped on land and by
sea that not even an hours notice of
intention to assume belligerent attl-
tude will find the nation unready. Even
so conservative a journal as Harper's
Weekly, which frowns at anything even
looking in the direction of jingoism,
feels pressed to expression Of thought
that the Monroe doctrine may set
England and the United States by the
ears; that while we have no reason as
yet for aggressive interference, for in
stance in the Venezuelan matter, yet
still the expansion Of English terri
tory on this hemisphere will not tend
to more peaceful and harmonious re-
lations between the two Powers. In
short, the Weekly is forced by its con-
victions to say that England's most re-
cent acts do not make her a better
neighbor or our relations with her
closer So, too, on the other hand, the
Springfield Republican, while sounding
the note loudly of the solidaritv of the
English-speaking race and while de-
claring those to be one who have a
common language and common origin,
and while abho}fng even the thought
of conflict with our English cousins,
feels impelled by facts and present con-
ditions to exclaim:
Is it to be expected that the American
people would view with complacency any
manifestation at this late day of that pol
icy in the New World which is now
carving up Africa and which in Asia is
undeniably forcing the Chinese nation TO
a struggle for existence? Our people may
De TOO sensitive and jealous, but they can
not be expected as human beings to rest
easy under any exemplihcation, in how
ever mild form, of the ''carving-up' pro-
cess OF civilization in this hemisphere.
Don't claim the earth, brothers let's arbi-
trate and be square in a broad and hon
orable sense. Then viii the race move on
TO its great and glorious destiny.
The highest office of craftsmanship
is to avoid war and cause for appeal to
arms. But if state of martial pre-
paredness will suffen craftsmanship
and make it more self-possessed, and
thus tend to promote peace, then by
all means let us be diligent in placing
the nation in a better defensive and
aggressive attitude. The American Off
Ger is right in advising that the United
States. while doing all that in honor
may be done to promote the interests
OF peace here and everywhere, should
equip itself according to its Importance.
the mileage of its seacoasts and its ex-
posure TO insult, arrogance and assault.
Nations like individuals think twice be-
fore they insult another who is able to
resent it.