The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-23
War Talk. .


~
War Talk.
, During the past few days there has
been a vast amount of war talk in con-
gress and among all classes OF people IN
this country. All this, or course, is the
result of the furore caused by the presi-
dents special message to congress. as
serting with so much emphasis. the de-
termination of our government to main-
tain the Monroe doctrine, in letter and
spirit, with reference to the claims oil
Great Britain in Venezuela. There has
been an outburst of patriotic enthus-
iasm, and the country feels better In
consequence. There may be those who
really believe that there is a prospect
of war between the United States and
Great Britain. There are those who
would hail with satisfaction a rupture
of the peaceful relations that have been
existing between the two great nations.
There are some who believe that col
lision would be desirable. But the
thoughtful American will see no pros
pect of war, although such an event is
always possible even among the most
peacefully inclined nations.
The position taken by President
Cleveland and sustained by the action
of congress, will necessitate a backing
down either by Great Britain or the
administration at Washington. but at
this time we are very far from the
conditions that must precede war. Great
Britain will not precipitate an overt act.
That country well prepared as she al
ways is for war, with her magnificent
army and great navy, nevertheless cam
not afford to enter into conflict with
the United States. Much as Great
Britain may desire to add a goodly
slice to her possessions in South Amer
lea her statesmen realize that war
with the United States would be at
tended with perilous complications
among her other possessions. She
might lose her North American posses
sions, Russia might take hand and
cause trouble in her eastern posses
sions, Ireland might make q fresh break
for independence. In short, Great
Britain, powerful as she is on land and
water, cannot afford to engage in a
war with the United States.
While it is not to be apprehended that
there will be war; nevertheless good
results will come to this country in
consequence of the furry created by
President Cleveland taking so firm a
stand. The British press and states
men have indulged in q vast amount
| of sneering at the Monroe doctrine as
serting that the principle embodied in
the deliverance of President Monroe has
not been recognized as part of the inter
national law, and has no application to
the question at issue between Great
Britain and Venezuela, Before that
question is settled and finally adjusted
the government of Great Britain will
be compelled to recognize the Monroe
| doctrine or relinquish her pretensions
to Venezuelan territory. The only al
tentative would be to defy the gov
ernment at Washington, and that
would be equivalent to declaration
of war. This country would not permit
President Cleveland to retreat from the
position he has taken. The American
people believe as firmly in the principle
embodied in the Monroe doctrine as
.they do in the constitution itself. Their
Interpretation of that doctrine is iden-
tical with that contained in the pres-
dents message to congress. The people
would heartily sustain the president
and congress even to the extent Of wal
in defense Of that principle.
But the present war talk, in and out
of congress, is premature. There Is nc
probability of a conflict. Neither Great
Britain nor the United States desires
war; but Great Britain must recog-
nize the validity of the Monroe doc
trine, and we predict that this will be
the outcome Of the present strained
relations. This incident, whatever the
final outcome, will have one other salu-
tary result; it will so far to convince
the government and people of the
United States of the necessity of being
better prepared for the exigencies OF
war with a powerful foreign coun-
try. We need better coast de-
lenses, and we need to have on hand
the arms and munitions to properl,
equip large volunteer army at the
shortest notice.