The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-29
The Modern "Peace Makers"

Modern progress in the building of great
guns, and great ships 10 carry them, is
having effect in keeping peace between
what we call the civilized countries. The
old-fashioned modes of fighting in which
the percentage of fatalities is comparative
" light. are confined chiefly now to India
and Africa and some few of the samller
countries which have not attained to the
dignity of powers" In so far as the
great governments of the world are con-
cerned, it is pretty well known that an
armed conflict with the modern engines Of
war which they have would mean almost
the humiliation of probably both of the
actively contending forces. 1t is certain
that a war between any Of the great pow
ers would be attended with the most
frightful carnage the world has ever seen.
The first exhibition of the fighting quail
ties of the monstrous floating forts of the
period was seen in the short, but terrible,
war between Japan and China, nations
which we are pleased TO regard as semi
barbaric. That contest so disastrous to
the prestige of teeming China, satisfied
protected warships and heavy rifed can
non were implements which might change
the future of a nation in one battle, by de-
stroying the less formidable fleet sent out
to represent and defend its country. The
nation which now goes to war with anoth-
er must be possessed of a feet of steel
ships and an armament of heavy guns at
least as great as that of its competitor, or
it will quickly be crushed, And not only
this, but it must have its ports, harbors
and coasts protected with Notifications
mounting guns of sufficient power to beat
off an attack by the steel monsters of the
enemy. Without such defenses, before the
news of the breaking out of hoshlities
could more than be circulated, vast sec
tons of territory, and numbers of great
and rich cities, could be laid under tribute
or in ashes by the ships of the enemy.
In Europe the possibility of any such oc-
currence has been largely discounted. Great
Notifications guard every city and port
In this country conditions are different
We have depended upon our good nature
and our inherent but undeveloped strength
to keep us out of trouble. In consequence
while some of our newspapers and some of
our Statesmen" are crying out for war
our coasts are open to attack from any
power with which we might engage in hos
tilities. Should war come. it would not be
of th1 @yst that we fought in revolution
airy times, or in 1872. 1t would be a war
of devastation, and the ruination would
come quickly, Light artillery. small arms
and foot soldiers would not prevail against
C.tf enemy.
While there is considerable talk of war
in one quarter and another, it is pretty
well assured that the authorities know
what a calamity a declaration of war
would be, and hence they are not going to
permit any such thing, until there shall
be developed much greater cause than has
yet been the case. The big guns and the
big ships will keep the peace for yet a
while. When each of the great powers
feels itself sufficiently protected at home,
and to be possessed of a sufficient navy to
whip almost anything it might meet, then
we may have more wars; but that time is
not yet.