The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-21
locate it, and he'll locate it so well that
it will probably stay located.
For War, Not Politics.

Before the war was declared" says
the Long Prairie Leader, 1.-THE G l o b e
kicked and kicked for peace at any
price and now it Is kicking because
the war is not coming along fast
enough in the way Of rushing men into
Cuba" Considering the strong predis-
position to misstate. the foregoing
states the position of The o e with
approximate accuracy. We did regard
the destruction of the Maine as a cause
of war. as the striking of that hour
which Cleveland had said would be the
signal for action. The adoption Of the
watchword Remember the Maine" by
the navy is confirmation of the posi-
ton taken by The G o e. When Nc
Kinley treated that as mere incident
and kept on presenting ultimatums, de-
mandS for concessions, each of which
Sagasta met and granted, The G o b e
said that every cause for war had been
removed. The president, in the mes
sage in which he dumped the mess into
congress. merely asked for authority to
intervene to get a stable government
established and for money to relieve the
starving reconcentrados. 1t was not a
war, but peace message.
When congress brushed the presiden-
tial policy aside and decreed war, the
country demanded it's vigorous prosecu-
ton. For months there had been ac-
tive preparations for war. Six weeks
before its declaration congress had put
500. 100000 at the disposal of the presi-
dent to get war material. Battleships
were bought, munitions purchased,
auxiliary naval vessels secured. A
blockade of Cuban ports was proclaim
ed and made. The condition Of the
starving reconcentrados, bad as it was
before, was made infinitely worse. Ev-
cry report since confirms that. That
pretext for the war demanded immedi-
ate action. The business interests Of
the country demanded it. The rising
cost OF the necessaries Of life to a war
Level, hardening the condition Of the
wage earning class, called for sharp,
quick blows. Above all that first prin-
ciple of any fight, to get in the blows
first and make them hard and rapid,
demanded prompt action.
There was no naval or military rea-
son for delay, while there was every
reason for immediate movement. Spain.
In ordering home the Vizcaya and
Oquendo from Havana. left the Cuban
coast open to our troops Every days
delay was utilized by Blanco in raising
Notifications along the coast. Gomez
claims to have abundant material for
an army that would drive BIanco's
forces out, If he had the arms and am
munition for it, and good policy de-
manded the immediate furnishing Of
them. In fact. there was perceptible
no sufficient or even plausible reason
for delay outside of politics and the
coming state and congressional cleo
tons. Three months ago the Dispatch
advised it's party to prepare for the
worst" The Minneapolis Journal adj
mits that the prospect was gloomy then.
Each Is now in high feather. The
war is on. attention is diverted, the I'M
wisdom of swapping horses while cross
Ing stream will be urged upon the
voters. Meanwhile dalliance; the war
must not be ended too quickly. Nc
Clellan's mastery inactivity is the pol
icy Play war until after November.
Then negotiate peace.