Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-22

In effect, that all our interests in America
must give way to what she thinks hers, In
order, chiefly, that she may be exempted
from those charges for ornaments which
weigh so heavily on the powers of Europe.
She does not perceive that neither nations
nor men ever surrender their vital interests
to others unless compelled by force. To
live as she now does, free from any great
cost for ornaments, she must behave as
she has hitherto done, and keep herself to
herself. She Is numerous and fairly
wealthy nation, but she is a great nation
In the sense of power in the world-on2y
by sufferance. There is a general European
understanding with her that the states on
this side of the Atlantic will not attack her
interests In America. but 1t Is mutually
agreed that she shall not attack European
interests anywhere"
The argument then is that If the United
States attempts to insist upon the contin-
ued existence of what we understand to be
the Monroe doctrine, there must be suffi-
cient expenditure for coast defenses. for
army reorganization, and for increase of
our naval power; without these-unless We
voluntarily become insignificant as a force
and nationally pusillanimous-we must
some day suffer humiliation at the hands
of Great Britain.
The Broad Arrow apparently has no
doubt as to what will happen between the
two countries. for it says:
I'VE must understand that if the United
States remain united there will ultimately
be war between the British empire and that
nation. The world learns nothing; and the
latest creation In the form of great power
drifts-ir spite of all the better knowledge
OF its wiser citiZenS-into the position of
the Oldest For this empire, it must hence
Iorth regard war on the United States
however we may deprecate it, one of
the probabilities
With that situation staring them In the
face. the British military authorities have
not been idle. While We of the United
States have been indulging in laughter at
The notion that any European power would
dare attack us. the British war office and
admiralty have been actively engaged in
preparation for the clash which may come
at any moment in spite of all the argu-
ments that can be advanced to show why
amicable relations should continue We,
however, have done practically nothing to
bring about condition of comparative
readiness, so We may not fairly criticise
the Broad Arrow when it says that the
general position of the United States ana
Great Britain at war would be strikingly
analogous to that Of China and Japan
Inc comparison fs of course overdrawn
for while we are nothing like as well
equipped for war as is the smallest of
european powers, yet we have vast
lighting population in which is a spirit of
patriotism the like of which China never
Knew and which is fully equal to the high
est grade of British enthusiasm 1t is
nonsense to say that there are millions
OF American citizens who are only such by
lew, and have no real American sentiment. ;"
Our experience during the civil war teaches
US that tic naturalized citizen was in every
respect the peer of him whose American
birthright was his pride If Great Britain
is figuring upon internal dissenson in the
United Safes in case of war with the en-
rire, she is laundering hugely. 1t is true
unfortunately true-that nothing else that
could happen would bring about more rap
Id, more enthusiastic or more solid coalition
OF all the people, of all the states, than a
war with Great Britain