The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1897-12-06
: DECEMBER s, 1881
am TIME OF PEACE, ETC.

The congress which meets To-Day
will have many important questions
to consider. The need of currency
reform is pressing, and the CONNER
cial world will not rest in its efforts
until some progress is made in the
direction of betterment. The Ha-
waiian annexation project can be
counted upon to consume good
deal of time aud oratory, and the
decision, all will agree, is an import
ant one, establishing as it does the
subsequent policy of the country re-
garding territorial expansion. The
need of national bankruptcy law Is
becoming apparent, while we still
have left from last session the Cuban
matter. which promises to last until
the revolutionlsts are starved to sub
lection or the Spanish soldiers are all
dead from disease.
In addition to these very import
ant questions, another one could be
added, which, while it may not be
broached at this session of congress,
will have to come sooner or later. It
is the settled opinion of military ex-
perts that the United States should
take some steps looking to the in
crease of our regular army. Nor is
this opinion confined to men versed
In military matters, it extends TO the
laity as well. We are living in an
intensely practical age; sentiment
has its share in controlling actions,
but not so much as in former days.
1t is expediency that directs and de.
cides in this era.
It has beenca favorite pastime to
revel in the dream of glorious
peace. when all armies are to be dis
banded and the ships of the nations
dismantled. But such talk is but the
stuff that dreams are made of-noth
ing more. Not while tins old world
persists in its rollicking, wicked ways
will we have a universal peace, or
anything approaching it. Not while
greed and selfishness, anger and re-
venge occupy such prominent places
in the human makeup will the world
see such outbursts of internationa
affection as some of these enthusiastic
would have us believe. The same
causes which made war in former
days exist today; perhaps not IN the
same form, but their potentiality i.
just as great. Europe recognize.
this fact, and every nation Is arm
ing itself as never armed before
Germany, France, England, Russia
all realize that the dogs of war, now
ever tight their CHAINS may be, some
day will break loose, and woe bt
unto that country which is unpre
pared.
Can America hope always to oc
cupy the isolated position regarding
international difficulties as she doe
today. We see no reason for sucl
assumption. Already we are in
volved more or less seriously witt
England regarding northern bound
aries, while the antics of some of th
hot headed southern republics ma,
make US go to war in defense of ou
long g-cherished Monroe Doctrine. ]
such event where would be our arm,
of 25,0OO? Widely scattered owe
an immense territory, it would b
as nothing so far as substantial de
fence is concerned.
If America is to keep her place i
the procession of nations, she mus
take heed to those things which ar
essential to nationel safety. w
would be glad to see congress pro
vide means for increasing the arm
to at least double its present size.
The Oregonian has begun on wins