The times., 1897-08-25
Tho NatinnnI Defense.

We are very glad to see q great metro
politan journal like the New York Sun
take up the question of national defense
in 2 truly American spirit. We do not
like the atu.ude Of the Sun On gold
contraction; but that IS matter which
we always have insisted is a national
and not an interna HonaI issue, and eau
De fought out among ourselves. When it
comes to questions OF national honor aud
the duty of the great Western Republic
10 maintain its fame, the dignity of its
flag, and the sentiment OF its people in
defense of human liberty and our com
mon humanity, as a general proposition
we will be found ranged up in line with
the Sun, which, on such questions, i b
not behind The Times.
These remarks are melted by a very able
article, appearing ia the sun of Monday,
entitled For National Defense" 1t is
from the pen of Gen. II. Y. Eoyn-
that we have not kept pace with the
evolution OF the period. While we have
gone on developing great resources, with
the result of an attack upon the mouths OF
the world with our productions and manu-
factures, we have lost sight of the fact
that slcb achievements are not, and could
nations whose prosperity has been injuri-
ousIy affected by American progress. We
have beea strangely oblivious OF the Ger
taiuty that, If we propose TO enforce the
Monroe doctrine and other American prin-
cipIes, We must expect to come into col
lision with the colonial anDitionsof Europe.
For example, Germanyis looking for colonial
extension in this hemisphere, and its en-
peror is suspected OF having his double
eagle eye on the Danish possessions in the
West Indies. England never has reIin-
| qEished designs Of further ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
| In the Antilles, in Central and in South
America. We have been asleep, and build
ing railways
And 50, the thing has gone On, until Great
Britain thought the time bad come To chain
the young giant finally, and the means
adopted was the olney- P auncefote treaty
Gen. Roynton says:
CunousIy enough, the conviction began
| To grow that foreign powers had the
| CTiPplIng of the United States III mind W hen
arbitration suddenly appeared TO be SO
dear to the English heart and proClama-
| tlon OF Intense affection became SO loud
| and vigorous Nations that had marched
and sailed the world around, carving up
all states which they dared attack, grab
| bing the continent of Africa and dividing 2
| 1t among themselves, Suddenly requested
the United States TO bind itself to ar
| bltTabe every form OF dlffereDce which
| might arise out of fishery outFages on the
| eastern coast, seal robbery in the north
| western seas, and gold mines and bound
| aries in Alaska. When the ma ton rose
| up one man to declare for the most
| modern Interpretation of the Monroe doc
Jrine, the English Official press even
| insisted upon submitting that American
| principle to arbitration. 1t was this over
| weening anxiety to keep PACE with this
| nation that first excited suspicion here, and
created strong feeling tnat perhaps it
| would be just as well to aTbitTate ques-
| tioDs Of difference as they arose, and 10y
most effective, and when the questions
| could be taken at once into the high court
| of last resort among nations, if that
seemed best for America.
The VIII of the American people, fol-
once, found expression In the Senate oi
the United States. thanks TO the patriot.
ism of Senators Morgan. Daniel and
one OF two others who fought the fight
against tine Cleveland oIney conspiracy t.
a finish; but the defeat of that measure
only served to show how necessary it Is
for US to be prepared against alternative
movements on the part of foreign ma
tions, since it is seen that We Will not
tie our hands with arbitration schemes