The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-24
THE MEANING OF THE WAR TALK

No one who mingles with the peo-
pie OF the East at the present time
can fail to be impressed with the uni
versal prevalence Of the belief that
war between the United States and
Spain is imminent. II IS not merely
the talk of a few designing politicians
or the policy of party leaders, but the
idea has penetrated the masses of the
people and inflamed their imaginations.
If you happen upon knot of educated
and thoughtful men, men of property
and affairs, at one of the leading clubs,
you will find, almost without excep-
ton, that the topic of discussion is the
aspect of the Spanish-American i'm
brogliJ and the probabilities of an out
break of hostilities in the near future.
If you go to one of the great concert
halls, where hundreds Of people are
cOngregated from a different rank of
society, you will find the audience most
alert and most uproarious in it's ap-
prevail when from the stage there comes
some reference about upstart Spain, or
when her people or policy is held up
to ridicuIe by the performances of a
gotesque comedian. If you pass near
q group of Iaborers or clerks upon the
street and overhear their conversation
the chances are ten to one that they
are talking about what will happen in
case of war 1t is obvious that the
belief that trouble is to come soon af-
ter the opening of the session of con-
gress is universal, and that these peo-
pie are not merely interested in the pos
sibilities Of the outlook on their own
account, but that they believe that
this country is being led irresistibly
and irrevocably into the tolls of for
eign complication.
Nor is their faith without ample
warrant. The evidence derived from
public opinion, that there is con-
sistent and comprehensive plan on foot
to bring about a rupture with Spain,
drawn from the attitude and words of
the masses of the people, is confirmed
by those in the inner councils of the
Republican party. Most Of them keep
their secret close. There are always
q few, however, who are as reckless of
tongue as they are light of brain, and
they are not slow to give us the facts
and the reason for them. The plain
est, boldest and most Ineligible an
nouncement of this plot is contained in
an interview with Senator Chandler,
published in Tuesdays Globe, and
furnished to it by its special Washing
ton correspondent. For the first time,
we believe, the scheme that has been
Matched in the inner councils of Re-
publicanism is set before the public in
its naked evil. Here is what Senator
Chandler says:
eff the Republican party, while it is in
power, does not do something in the direction
of bimetallism. the people will give the gov
eminent into the hands of the Bryanites. Our
only hope is in some international conVul-
EicG."
what do you mean by that?'
"War. OF course.
These words in Senator Chandler S
mouth tell us the whole story. That
story is as simple in detail as it is in
famous in it's Willingness to plunge two
peoples into all the horrors of war to
save, if possible, a political party from
the consequences of it's own treachery
to principle and it's falsehood. We are
not going to have trouble with Spain
because of Cuba. That is merely the
pretense; and, after all that has hap
pened, after the time that has elapsed
and the failure of the present admin
istrations to act in the name of hui
mainly, no one will be deceived as to
the motives Of the majority in congress
In raising issues and passing resolu-
lions that will practically compel Spain
TO invite a declaration of war.
The Republican party was put into
power to reform the currency. That was
The commission that it received from the
voters of this country. Being tied
hand and foot to the interests Of great
corporations and pledged beyond recall
to do their bidding, it was obliged to