The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-07
"a SECOND
REVOLUTION
The U. 5. Will Become a
Great Armed Power.
EVENT OF THE CENTURY.
q
Henry Norman Discusses the New
American Revolution.
BIG ARMY AND POWERFUL NAVY

Henry Norman, and treating of new
America and its army and navy. Ex
tracts from IL are given herewith:
The vision Of q new heave& and {
new earth is still unfulfilled, but ther,
Is a new America. The second American
revolution has occurred, and it's conse
qucnccs maysbe as great as, those of the
first. have waited till the end of NV
visit before putting MY impressions on
paper, for it Is easy to be mistaken
about popular sentiment ia the United
States. The American people are ns
sensitive to emotional or intellectual
stimulus as a Photographic film is to
light, but they are also, TO q remarkable
degree, people of second thoughts.
Their nerves are quick, but their con-
victions are slow. The apparent change
was SO great and so unexpected that at
first could not bring myself to believe
in its reality or its endurance. Unless
all signs fail, however, or fail to in
terpret them, the old America, the
America obedieut to the traditions of
the founders of the republic. is passing
away, and new America, an America
standing armed, alert and exigent in
the arena a the world struggle, is TAX
ing its place.
The change il threefold 1. The Unit
ed States is about to take its place
among the Greater armed powers Of the
world. .. By the seizure and retention
of territory not only not contiguous to
the borders or the republic, but remote
from them, the United States becomes
colorizihg nation and enters the field
of international rivalries. 8. The growth
Of good will and mutual understanding
between Great Britain and the United
States and tho settlement of all pending
disputes between Canada and America,
now virtually assured, constitute a
working union Of the English speaking
people against the rest of the world for
common ends, whether any formal
agreement is reached or not.
Viewed IN the light Of the events it
may conceivabiy bring forth this trio
of changes may be described without
as the event of the CEN
tury. There is little to say about it that
has not already been said, but as sub
ject for comment it has this advantage,
that there is little mystery about it.
One great element of uncertainty of
course remains, the final direction tax
Oh by American public opinion. but
with that exception one may speak as
witness and not as prophet.
First, then, with regard 10 the future
army and navy Of the United States,
the war has taught this country Sc
we're lesson. A few weeks before the
outbreak of hostilities / read in lead
ing New York paper carefully detail.
I'd estimate, based upon returns from
svery state in the Union, showing that
IN army of 1000, 900 men could be
raised. This ludicrous notion
corresponded to the popu-
ar view Of tho country's capabilities.
Anybody who remembers certain
made during the Venezuelan
iispute will not think this remark ex-
1t was known that the pa
riotisn Of the people was equal to the
supply Of any number of volunteers, the
Of the country were known to
70 limitless-the combination Of in
men with limitless resources
$ all that is required for 4 vast army.
such was the reasoning. But nobody is
nisled by it today. Tho president has
allied out 10000 men, and they have
with extraordinary prompti-
ude. But in few days two months
will have elapsed and the whole force
$ yet far from ready to take the field.
fifteen thousand men-nearly all regu-
ars--have gone with General Shafter
0 Santiago; fow thousand are to be
ent to re-enforce him as quickly as pos
ible; about 1000 have gone to Manila;
0, 900 are wanted for Porto Rico and
no not available, while the main army
Cuban invasion will hardly be ready,
should suppose, for another month yet.
Two weeks hence, General Alger
ays, every man will be equipped. down
D two suits Of uniforms for the tropics.
he "hardships' they have suffered are
OF such as soldier should talk much
bout; $4,000 tons Of rations have been
rovided for them; 80 transports have
cen chartered and fitted ont. Besides
II this, the war department has laid
500 submarine mines, set up 40 search
ghts and armed large number Of
,rts-often building them first. After
every reasonable criticism
is triumph of organization. doubt
SO much, from so little, has ever been
,complishod so expeditiously and so |
before.
And look at the display of American
atriotisinl When the volunteers were
by the president, they walk
l ON the scene as IL they had been
aiting in the wings They were sub. |
'cted TO a physical examination as
arching as that Of life insurance
,npany. A man was rejected for two
: three filed teeth. They came from
I ranks of life Yoing lawyers, doc.
rs, banIsers well paid clerks. are
arcbing by thousands in the ranks.
be first surgeon IN be killed Mt Guam.
namo left New York practice of
10000 =, year to VOLUNTEER. All was