The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-21
Declares That We are Not
Prepared for War.
Important Facts About Spain'S
Fighting Strength.
Connecticut Senator Is Criticised
for His Admissions.

pared for war with Spain over Cuba. We
are not prepared for war with "a first class
or even a second class power, said Senator
Hawley. Inasmuch as Senator Hawley Is
recognized military authority, and chair
man Of the military affairs committee OF
the senate, this statement attracted great
deal of attention and has led 10 no end of
discussion. Most Of our military authorities
do not agree with him. While they are
willing 10 admit that we are not in condi-
tion 60 cope with the navy of Great Britain,
or with that of France, the second naval
power Of the-world, they scout the idea
that we need be afraid of Spain. While
Spain has "a navy nominally equal 20 our
own, naval officers declare that it is not in
good condition. Many of the ships which
are carried on the naval lists as first class
fighting machines, and which bear an
ominous appearance in the comparative
statistics of naval strength, are actually
out of commission and not likely TO be in
shape TO fight for several years.
The Spanish Fleet.
The trouble with Spain, say these naval
authorities of ours who have carefully
studied the matter, is that she is practical
ly bankrupt. Her two wars are costing
her about sl5, 000 600 month. She has
not had the means with which to maintain
her navy In first class fighting trim. If
war were 10 break out between the two
countries, our navy, being more modern
than that of Spain and in much better
condition as 10 equipment and repair, could
easily take the offensive. We should have
the advantage Of more accurate informa-
tion as Co the date of the impending crisis
and could prepare ourselves accordingly.
The result would be that when war actual
ly came our naval ships could be on their
way TO Cuban and Spanish waters. We
could carry the war into the enemy S coun-
try and probably could keep the Spanish
fleets so we'll occupied in defending their
own seaports that none Of their craft could
get away To threaten New York or Wash
ington or Boston Even if Spanish vessels
were TO menace New York or other of our
seaports, our naval men say the torpedo
system would prevent much damage being
done.
Senator Hawley has been savagely criti-
cised for this statement. It is said that
senator Of the United States, holding the
responsible position OF chairman of "a mill
tary affairs committee in our parliament
should not give this much aid and COM
fort and information 10 a possible enemy
of the country. AS to the good taste Of
INC I>tiluloT iidWlty - pulbt
to defend himself. II his statement serves
TO call attention 10 the necessity which ex-
lists for preparing this country for war
perhaps he has done the people a good
service 1t is a well settled axiom that
there can be no great diplomacy without
big guns. There can be no vigorous for
eign policy without great navy TO back
it up. The United States is certainly
lacking in coast defenses, and the navy,
compared with the fighting fleets Of three or
four of the European nations, is woefully
deficient.
Our Rights and Duties.
A prominent public man was talking 20
mo the other day on this very subject. He
said the destiny of the United States was
TO be the great arbiter of all American
affairs. We have asserted the Monroe doc
trine, and If necessary, are ready To fight
to maintain it. The meaning of the Mon
roe doctrine Is simply that this country,
as the one great powerful nation OF the
western hemisphere, aims TO occupy In its
relations Co the remainder of the continent
precisely tho attitude which the great pow
ers of Europe hold toward Turkey and
Greece and Armenia and Bulgaria. The
balance of power reposes In their hands.
They are responsible for the preservation
of the peace Of Europe and for the better
ment OF the condition Of oppressed peoples
The principle arises first in their right 10
protect themselves, and with the assertion
of that right comes the responsibility Of
using it for the good of all.
So 1t is, said this man, with the United
States and the remainder of America. We
cannot assert that right for our own selfish
ends simply. 1t carries with IL the duty
of using our power and influence for the
protection of oppressed peoples near by. 1t
is this principle which will justify the
United States in intervening to put stop
TO the horrors Of war In Cuba. This con-
ceptlon OF the duty of a great and power
full nation Is tho modern idea of the sci
ence OF government. Power carries re-
sponsihility with il, and this responsibility
cannot be escaped upon the plea that we
are not our Lrothers keeper. 1t is the
manifest destiny Of the United States TO
take precisely this attitude That is the
logical and necessary outcome Of our asser-
tion Of the Monroe doctrine.
Spanish Bumptiousness.
A gentleman who was recently in Cuba
tells me that senator Hawley's remark
will be greeted with applause by the Span
ish army officers. These gentlemen have
very poor lutu OF AincTlcu SnEntlnV pow
VI. They told him that If war were 10
break out between the United States and
Spain their troops would be able To land in
Florida and to march right up to Now
York and Boston, destroying everything
on the way. including the capitol. They
really believe il. why" said these span
ish military men 10 him, you have an
army of Only $1,000 men. We could whip
you I'm n wCrk.'
My friend crdcnvorcd 20 tell them some
thing Of our grout reserve armies, our state
troops, but tie Spanish gentlemen laugh
ed "Such troops would not amount 10
anything" they said. "Thoy are untrain-
ed We could mow them down with one
tenth. their number. Our trained soldiers
would make minccmcat Of them"
This Ia tho idea which the Spanish in
their ignorance, have of Americas fight
ing men nc same officers told my friend
that In case Of war their ships would blow
up Brooklyn bridge within "a week. They