Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-22
No DANGER on Our Coast.

| terror. and it causes them actual suf-
fcrinr. In their pancky frenzy they
conjurc up all kinds of Castilian mon
sters destroying their homes and de-
yastating the coast. At the summer
resorts the fear is expressed that the
hotels will be without patrons and the
cottages tenantlcss. All this is UNI
adulterated nonsense. These yarns
about the probability of warlke
visitors to New England shores must
| have been set alloat originally by some
of a hotel in the mountains. 1t would
be hard to account for the existence CT
such a story on any other basis.
If these terrified patriots who live by
the sea would listen to their own rea-
son they would at once see how utterly
beyond the bounds of possibilities is a
visit from Spanish war vessels The
very lack of a coaling station would
Of itself prevent such a cruise. 1t is
fair to presume that our navy will be
doing something in the coming war
Spanish vessels without native pilots
could do nothing along our rugged
coast. What object would Spain have
in wasting valuable ammunition Gpon
summer cottages and small cities
whose property value is worth much
less than the powder necessary to de-
story them? The large cities of the
Atlantic coast are now made impreS-
nable by mines and torpedoes. The
small cities cannot be reached or are
not worth reaching. An invasion by
troops or marines is even more i'm
probable and impossible than a bonn
bardment. If any Spanish vessels
come to American waters. which is not
at all certain. they will come to Ha-
vana or Porto Rico where alone they
can get the all-necessary coal and
there will be the naval battle if any is
fought. With these places effectively
blockaded by our navy, as they soon
will be. there will not be an infinitesimal
part as much danger on the North At
lantic coast from Spanish vessels as
there always is from earthquakes and
tidal waves.
Still almost every newspaper along
the Maine coast is frightening away
summer visitors and eXaggerating the
imaginary danger to ridiculous proper
tons Some even want the State 70
build gunboats at once to fight the
daily expected Spanish fleet and are
begging the Governor to call an extra
session of the Legislature to raise
money for this express purpose. All
coast cities want monitors or mines or
troops or other protection not practical
or possible for the government to give,
and not necessary under any condi-
lions that will arise in a war with
Spain. One paper begs the Governor
the coast may be better protected.
condemns the present ''inactiVity' and
lack of patriotism,' and says that
Maine should not be the last coast
state to make a war appropriation. AS
a matter of fact only five states have
made an emergency war appropriation.
two of them being coast states. if NcF
York is counted a coast state, and III
all five states the Legislatures We're al
ready in session and the appropriation
was made. not because ii was neces-
sary. but to avoid an extra session III
case a war appropriation became nee
essary. No state has yet called an
extra session of its Legislature for this
| purpose. Maine viii be at the front
when the time for such action arrives.
| be it next week or next month. The
| national and state governments und' l.
| stand the needs of the situation better
! than individuals or even sea shore
| editors can. and to call Il special SEES
sion of the Maine Legislature. at a cost
|
stricken citizen on the coast wants 10
| introduce q bill for the construction of
| a State gunboat would be a height Of
folly unknown in the political annals
of a proverbally sensible State. A
| special session may be a necessity of
the near future when troops are called
into the field. and war appropriation
for their support is necessary, and then
it viii be called without delay.
War is imminent, if it cannot be said
to have already begun. Maine will no
doubt feel the effects of war in the de-
creased summer travel and in som
| kinds of business. Some articles will
be higher in price. Some thousands of
our best young men will, no doubt, be
called into the service of their country.
Taxes will be high. Excitement, I'M
easiness and uncertainty will prevail.
/ In these ways Maine will be called
upon to do her part and make her sac
| rfice in behalf of Cuban freedom and
in defence of our national rights. But