Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-29
Spajn's Torpedo FI0tilIa.

fleet across, the Atlantic has created a
profound sensation in this country and
many have seen IN 1t IA menace pretend
iny the immediate destruction of our
fleet at Key West. The coming of this
no,illa formidable as it must be al
mitted to he. simply means that Spain,
as well as this country is preparing Cor
war. and that if it must come she has
no intention of its being merely holi
day expedition for our navy. The
right of Spain to send a fleet of her
vessels to Porto Rico 1900 miles from
Havana. cannot be questioned 10y this
government or made a cause of hos
tilities. The sailing of these torpedo
boats from Spain was no more an act
of defiance to this country than it was
have assembled Il large and powerful
fleet on the Florida coast near Havana.
effect told Spain that it was none Of het
business. when diplomatic inquiry
squadron So near Cuba. 1t would,
therefore, be very inconsistent for US
to deny Spain the right to strengthen
her naval forces at her own colony Of
Porto Rico. Even if the llotila were
now headed for Havana instead of
Porto Rico it is not easy to see how we
would have the right to protest.
Those who have urged that this gov
eminent make the departure Of the
notila casus belli and intercept and
destroy it on its passage, We're making
cheap and sensational talk unworthy Of
Americans. Yet not a few prominent
Individuals and leading papers have
urged that inasmuch as this Spanish
fleet is practically defcnself7ss and help
less While crossing the ocean. our gov
eminent without further declaration Of
war should send "A superior fleet to
meet it and blow it to atoms. II is
needless to say that no such step is
contemplated by our government. II
would be an act of piracy that would
bring down upon the United States the
world. If Spain had the opportunity
she might take such a step. though this
is hard To believe. and anyway ii wouI /
not justify such a course on our part.
The arrival of these Is torpedo boats
and torpedo boat destroyers will he 4
very strong addition to Spanish
strength in American waters, but until
they are really here and the war is be
gun there is no occasion for our pro-
tests or our worrying. Those who as
sumo that this fleet would destroy our
squadron are to he classcI with those
panicky PATRIOTS who fear the destrur-
ton 10y a Spanish fleet of almost every
seaport town from PASSPORT to Galvas-
ton. 1t is far better and more r. ason-
able to assume that our fleet. larger
and stronger in every way, manned by
more skillfu and active American
crews. with base of supplies assured
With Yankee bravery and ingenuity for
guardian angels, would be doing some
thing all the time besides meekly sub
hitting to total ann jhilaton. If there
are any persons who are feeling par
ticularly nervous about how our navy
would confront III Spanish torpedo
boats, let them remember Farragut;
message at Mobile: 'D-n the torpe-
does. Go ahead We may bc assured
that the approach of this torpedo
liotila VIII not prevent the Unite |
States from going ahead and demand
ing its rights. both in the matter of the
Maine and the relief of the suffering
Cubans.