The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-02

trusted newspaper correspondents at |
the national carital uttered a senti- |
ment which at the time provoked some |
curiosity lie said, as we recall it, |
that there were portCnts of a gathering |
storm between the United States and |
the nations of continental Europe, |
which might yet rpen into open hostil-
tiles. In that event he predicted that |
veterans Of the Gray would keep step |
with the veterans Of the Blue in united !
defence of their common and now
equally beloved country.
II was merely an allusion. but those |
who know the speaker knew 1t had
something more significant behind it
than simply General Boynton's desire
to frame figure uf speech. Some
thing of his meaning is now unfolded
ia a letter to the sun. This letter
treats of the "unmistakable signs" in
Europe of desire TO combine against
the United States" These, he asserts,
have been steadily growing since our
Interpretation Of the Monroe doctrine
brought England to a halt in South
America, with Germany just behind
| her. The Dngley bill for the protCc-
| ton of our laborers, our markets. and
our manufacturers is, says he, adding
| the eXasprration of an industrial war
of growing intensity to previously un-
| friendly conditions. The voice given
| by the Austrian premier has been loud
/ ~ echoed from London. Our consular
! reports from all quarters show that
| there is a general outcry approaching
| CONSERVATION throughout Europe over
| the depressing effects of our tariff.
! The manufactured products Of the
| United States arc increasing in every
market. Especially is this the case in
machinery, and the heavier and costly
work in metals which employs great
numbers Of artisans In many respects
this industrial war seems to he re-
gardcd by some Of tho leading powers
| as more serious now, and more threat
cnng for their future, than actual war
would he, and a feeling is undoubt-
| edly growing which finds expression in
suggestions that the career of the
| United States must be checked"
What the Austrian statesman, Count
| GoluChOwski, said the other day sug-
gests itself as evidence in point. His
words delicately veiled, were these:
\ turning point has been reached in
| European development which calls for
| the unremitting attention of govern"
| III nts. The great problems OF material
| welfare, which have become more press
rG every year, are no longer a matter
Ot the future, but require to be taken Iii
hand al once. The destructive cOmpcti-
uon with trans-ccCaniC countries which
has Partly to be carried on at present and
paI tly to be expected in the immediate
| future requires prompt and thorough
| CountcraCting measures if vital interests
Of the peoples of Europe are not to be
gravely comprc missed. They must light
shoulder to shoulder against the COM
mon danger and must arm themselves for
the struggle with all the means at their
disposal Just as the sixteenth and sew
cnteenth centuries were absorbed by re-
ligiOus wars, as the eighteenth century
was distinguished by the triumph of lib-
eral IDEAS and our own century by the
| appearance of nationality questions, III
like manner the twentieth century would
be, for Europe, period marked by
| struggle for existence in the pOlitico-
| commercial sphere. The European ma
| tiOnS must close their ranks i'm order sue
cessfully to defend their existence. May
this be realized everywhere, and may
TIE epoch of peaceful development we
now confidently anticipate be employed
in collecting our strength and devoting
ourselves chiefly to this end.
1t is worthy of note that the address
of General Boynton at Chickamagua
antedated the speech of Count Golu-
chowski, so that the two utterances
stand toward each other almost in the
relation of prophecy to fulfilment.
Equally interesting and important is
General Boynton's description of the
effect which these foreign develop
Inents are having upon the best public
opinion at Washington. We quote
again from his letter in the Sun:
To meet these new conditions, those of
our own authorities who are observing
them, while favoring neither jingoism nor
aggression, are convinced that the situa-
ton demands steady and rapid prepaTa-
ton for self defence. While these, under
the direction of the secretaries of war and
navy, are progressing as rapidly as the
means provided by congress will allow,
and every month adds to the degree of
security attained, the committee of ap-
preparations will be asked to take our tor
, ! Cgn relations into timely COnsiderat tiOn,
and thus begin a new departure. The
first effect of giving full weight to foreign
tions will be enabling our authorities to
J hasten work with a view to what may be
| badly needed a very few years hence.
| There viii be an attempt to have con-
} | grcss give serious consideration to the
! fact that the United States is now COM
, PEELED to take is place among the leading
| ! and controlling nations. This cannot be
= avoided in the march of international
l progress. Such position involves vast re-
, | sponsibiltieS, and should carry with ii
the means of dischargng them, 1t was
the height of wisdom for a nation of a
? few millions, just emerging from eXhaus-
p tive war with a great power, to follow
! Washington and avoid all cntanslnG al
| Hanccs with foreign nations But in these
e later days, a people with the population,
, resources, and every element of power
which compels leadership, must take cog.
nZauce OF such prominence, and be pre-
pared to meet its requirements The very
first consideration is preparation for de-
Y fence. Sooner or later the sharp jeal'
ousies which such unparalleled growth as
ours eXcites in the other powers must
lead to a situation where the fact of thor
. ough preparation will pc our only saliva
e tion from war.
As to the wisdom Of trying to avert
t trouble by means of an arbitration
t sentiment at the capital is divided
n THE prevailing opinion appears to be, ;
4 he adds, that If we are to bind our
a selves with such a treaty it should gC
r hand in hand with ships, and docks
G and coast defences." 1t will be well 4