Kansas City journal., 1897-11-08
WARS AND RUMoRs OF WARS.

WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS.
fortunately the rumors of wars so vast.
Iy outnunber the wars themselves that the
people Of this generation are compara-
lively Indifferent to the sensational re.
ports sent broadcast by irresponsible news
paper correspondents, stock manipulators
and mischievous jngoes-reports that in
days gone by would have carried terror to
the hearts OF many people.
Within the last few days fresh rumors
of an impending conflict between the Unit
ed States ana Spain have gone out. and
yesterdays dispatches declared war be-
tween Great Britain and France to be i'm
m!nent. Such conflicts are not impossible
tiles, but. the people have so often heen
assured, their possibility is so remote that
there is no occasion for alarm.
The significance attached to the utter
ances OF former Minister Taylor has been
fictitious and absurd. Mr.. Taylor no longer
represents this government, and this fact
is fully understood at Madrid. The rea-
tions between our state department and
the ministry Of Spain are, according to
the most reliable Information, more prom
Using now than they have been for long
time. There has been nothing In the policy
of President Mckinley to change the con-
viction long since formed by his friends
and the vast majority of the people of this
country. that he will be able to help the
cause Of the Cubans, preserve the dignity
OF this nation and at the same time avoid
an actual conflict, or even diplomatic hos
tilities, with the sensitive Spanish govern
ment. The only danger that threatens
policy is in the Incorporate attitude of the
5ingoes of both our national parties and
the recklessness of the sensational news
papers.
As for conflict between Great Britain
and France over their African possessions.
temperate and cautious of the European
powers at this time is Great Britain. and
It should be remembered that France has
a keen and depressing recollection Of her
last great war. International discretion
has never before been SO great a safeguard
against armed strife as now. The days of
conquest are practically over. and terri
torial disputes and commercial difficulties
find other solutions in this era of peace.
albeit of military fertilization.
The complete cost of the Franco German
war. which has Just been published. and
for the first time, by Signor Boda the
great Italian statistician. is shown by
fha foIla
New York Nation:
France lost 136.000 men, Of whom $1,000
were either killed or died of wounds re-
ceived in battle. 5000 died of diseases in
France. and 20000 died as prisoners of
war in Germany. There were also A74oO
war-namely. 13s0O0 by wounds in battle,
II, 400 by wounds and other injuries on the
march. and 32S.0O0 by disease, privation,
exposure and similar causes. The losses
Of the Germans, as compiled by Bodio
from ofncial and thoroughly authentic re-
ports. were Il .255 men killed in battle and
2l.02S deceased In ambuances and hospi-
tails. making a total loss OF ,21S by death.
The loss of the French was. therefore,
97.722 more than that of the Germans. The
losses of France in money so far as they
can be estimated. were 1857 900 900 francs
for military expenditure. 5.143,OOOO00 for
war indemnity. 1,l5SsO0oo0 for loans and
premiums, 2o7OOOOoO for public works ne
cessitated by war, COS. .Oo0 900 for compensa-
tion to private individuals. 2,o34, ,ooO0,O for
losses incurred by the state through dmin-
ution of revenue. etc, and 535. 1900 for
losses incurred by the communes and reim-
bursed by the state. making sum total of
Il, ,6s1. .0c0, 900 francs. This amount does not
include the incalculable damage done to
agriculture, commerce and the various
branches of industry and the permanent
loss Of revenue from Alsace and Lorraine"
Remembering that this struggle lasted
only six months. there is some wholesome
Instruction in a contemplation of its ag-
gregate cost in life and treasure.