The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-23
FOR NATIONAL DEFENCE.
EUROPEAN JEALoUsIEs OPEN THE
EFBs OF OUR STATESMEN.


wAsnINoToN, Aug. 22.-1n the opinion of
some Of the best observers among those who
give their attention to foreign affairs, both in
Administration quarters and among the older
heads In tho Senate. tho indications OF growing
Jealousy Of the United States among leading Eu-
ropean powers have reached u stage where this
nation should keep It prominently in mind, and
where Congress should give heed TO II in its pro-
visions for national growth and safety.
IL recommendations which are certain to be
made In tho next annual reports nre followed,
the questions of national defence in their vari-
Gus forms will receive serious and proper atten-
tion. Among those are vigorous naval develop
ment, tho advancement and %equipping OF the
National Guard. provision for the necessary ar
tillery force to care for and become proficient in
the use of tho splendid batteries Of modern guns
which are now going into place along our coasts,
and tho proper attention to tho establishment
and operation OF arsonals and gun plants. These
will be urged, not upon the theory that they are
preparations to wage war or to encourage jingo-
ism. but that. one and all, they are the very es-
~sentials of peace. Had our land defences and
our ships been in the condition of eight years or
even four years ago. tho buster of bankrupt
Spain and little Japan about sending their
fleets into our harbors might not have died AWAY
30 soon. Curiously enough, the conviction began
to grow here that foreign powers had the Grip
ping Of the United States in mind when arbitra-
tion suddenly appeared to be 80 dear to the Eng
lish heart and proclamation OF intense affection
became 30 loud and vigorous. Nations that had
marched and sailed tho world around. carving
up all States which they dared attack, grab
bling the continent of Africa and dividing it
among themselves. suddenly requested the
United States to bind itself to arbitrate every
form Of difference which might arise out of
fishery outrages on tho eastern coast, seal
robbery In the northwestern seas, and gold
mines and boundaries in Alaska. When the
nation rose up as one man to declare for the
most modern Interpretation of the Monroe doc
trine, the English official press even insisted
upon submitting that American principle to ar
bitration. 1t was this overwecning anxiety to
keep peace with this nation that first excited sus-
picion here. and created "A strong feeling that
perhaps 1t would be just as we'll to arbitrate
questions Of difference as they arose, and by
methods that at the moment might seem most
effective. and when the questions could be taken
ut once into the high court of last resort among
nations. II that seemed best for America.
Just now careful attention is being given hero
to the interesting talk of Europe and Of Canada
on retaliation In its various forms because the
United States has concluded TO protect its own
markets, and make use OF them for its own adj
vancement and to better the condition OF its
iauoEcTb instead Oh grinding tncm down TO Eu-
ropean levels Of poverty and degradation. There
is no telling what will happen il. added to our
interference with Canadian buccaneers in Behr-
Ing Sea, this Administration concludes to give
its own railway system an equal chance with
the Canadian Pacific at the carrying trade of
the continent. All this Jealous talk, which in
creases steadily and most perceptibly. and which
is now carefully listened to in Washington, is
held to teach the wisdom Of thorough national
preparation, not primarily to make war, but
first and foremost as q sure means OF maintain
ing peace. and. at the same time. as a very COM
Portable condition to be in IN case war is forced
The cause Of ali this growing foreign jealousy
Is wei understood. SO long as the comparisons
with the United States were concerned only
with immense areas, in large portions of which
impressed. II scarcely excited h rnmark va d ba noe
the fact pointed out that the combined areas of
Great Britain and Ireland. France. the German
empire, Austria. Italy. Spain, and Portugal did
not equal the area Of the United States by
enough square miles to make three New Eng
lands. Then came the amazement OF our war,
and its demonstrations of military resources on
land and sea. the unparalleled military aptitude
ing ont of all foreign navies by one days engage
ment of Our little Monitor. Following the wal
has come the wonderful development OF the en-
pires beyond the Mississippi, our reconstruction
and thorough reConciliatio on and determined and
enthusiastic union against every form of foreign
interfcrence. A vast region three times the ex-
tent Of Continental Europe west OF Russia,
nieu WIN such populations as carried on our
war. and year by year developing in powers that
are inlpressin8 themselves on the world. is a
very different object for foreign contemplation
from the United States OF a few decades ago.
when so large q portion Of our territory was
designated on all maps as the Great American
Desert.
Ana above all, the United States is n republic.
Herein are the seeds ot that European Jealousy
eyes, and which. unless the whole undercurrcnt
OF talk here Is misleading. are to shape the policy
OF the Administration. lis ends are to be those
OF DeACe. and The InnAnS of snt1rinD II IA nrnnar
readiness for war.
The very precise information furnished few
days since By TIE Sun OF the stock of modern
war material which England is pourinp; into
Canada created great interest in Washington.
land to send them over. When the horn blows
ccedingly unsatisfactory to find only a lot of OBJ
solete war material. But that which THE Sun
short Of al tho t " Grades I'd s"'f But n"t there @S Is a a ser ris1is
side to this active shipment Of munitions of war
from England TO Canads; Great Britain sup;
herd. and furnishing the Dominion with modern
arms; Canada issuing official maps, covering
iZing and re-arming her militia. Such are ele-
mcnts of the situation over our northern
boundary: They are indications of English
movement which are attracting deserved atten-
It is also perfectly understood that the German
Emperor is exceedingly FESTIVE and very bitter
over the pronounced attitude Of this country In
peror has long had q scheme for getting hold OF
extensive possessions in South America. Tho
sounded on tho Venezuelan question. arrested
Germany in q now career. and its ruler has not
yet recovered from his intense vexation.
The liveliest spot In Washington at present is
tho Navy Department. Tho decks are cleared
for action: Acting Secretary Roosevelt, in the
a6senoe OF Gov. Long. has the whole navy Dor
derlng on a war footing. 1t remains ohy to
sand down the decks and pipe TO quarters for
are these: First, the President is believed TO be
a nrm supporter Of vigorous naval develop
ment; and second. the condition of the navy
with respect to readiness for immediate
service, and effectiveness In case its ser
vices are required. Is nearly 80 per cent.
better than six months ago. The reestnb-
nsnnSnt OF our navy, like the comprehensive
and we!l.considered lines. The separate ques-
lions q harbor defence. the work which belongs
to swift cruisers, the Held of the torpedo boat,
and the dominating subject of -battleships are
each receiving such attention as will best pro-
mote the efficiency Of each. and make of the
whole tho most powerful war engine which tho
means furnished by Congress will allow. 1t Is
certain that the annual reports will give n most