The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-10

subject for Arbitration-Prepar ra-
tions for War.
Tho war is only a few days away If it
is TO come at any time. Two things are
possible war or disgracefuI peace, but
both of these cannot be avoided many
hours longer Events that cannot be kept
back point with a logic that is inevitable
20 the coming Of the supreme moment
within seventy-two hours. Before the end
Of this week the Presidents decision
must be given for war If il is not for
war or il ii is deferred beyond that time.
every hour of delay viii be an hour of
dishonor. There IS every reason to be
liove that The President has chosen war
These are The facts:
The Court Of Inquiry has practically
completed its work. With regard to
the report Of the court, there
are only two possibilities. 1t may
come 10 Washington Immediately, in
which ease il would reach The President
at the latest next Monday. It may be held
back bv request OF the Administration.
I'm this case it can have but one tenor
the worst There would be no reason for
keeping the report secret from the pub
lie a minute. except that it meant war,
and the Administration wished more time
TO prepare. There is but one conclusion
10 draw from these facts. BY tomorrow
at the latest the essential contents of the
report VIII be known to the public beyond
question.
But this is not the most important
point The President at this time knows
what the report viii contain. II is al
most certain that he has had three def
mite statements as to its nature already.
one from Gen. Lee. one written very soon
after The accident by Capt. Sigsbee. and
one received last Saturday through Stem
ographer Huise. Every one Of these re-
ports renders the same verdict-guilty
and fixes the crime so near Spain
officially that no question of indemnity
can be raised with honor.
Everything points, therefore. to the
conclusion that the President asked for
the $50.0o0O O09 with the knowledge that
war was only a few days away Either
this. or he knows the contents of the
report 10 be unfavorable to Spain and
still is intent on his peace-at-any-price
policy but wishes to be prepared for war
If the people will not brook the other
thing. when they know the report with
certainty
Congress Gave Warning.
The attitude Of the Congress in its in
dorsement OF his expressed desire 10 be
ready for war must have been a stern
warning Of its temper if he was still Of
the opinion that peace at any price was
possible. il may be even that he has
changed his intention since he introduced
his bin. u may be that its intention was
only 10 Quiet the people and that the
alagrity 0f Congress may have convinced
him that temporizing is no longer posi-
bic.
These are only surmises. however, and
have nothing 10 do with the main facts
that President Mckinley knows the re-
port 10 contain a condemnation OF
Spain and that the people viii know il
officially by tomorrow at the latest
Spain knows the contents Of this re-
port also. and the Administration is very
well aware Of this fact. Spain is pre-
pairing for war with even more feYerish
haste than the United States More than
this-Jhe Spanish government even less
than the Administration here could afford
10 take a stand in opposition to the
wishes Of the people. Spain is rushing
toward the supreme moment Of declared
hostililies as rapidly as ths United States
Spain may wait for diplomatic and eco
nomic reasons for the United States to
take the initial step. She win be ready
then, however. and il is extremely prob
able that Spain may be the aggressor.
with some vicious blow that VIII demon
strate 20 this Administration that il has
waited too long
The discussion OF the question Of the
possibility Of purchasing war vessels
from other countries. should war be de-
ciared Immediately. is occupying much
~ the time ~ the Navy Department. II
is "a question THAI grows more important
every hour
The opinion has been published that.
although vessels fitted out and equipped
as war ships may not be sold to a coun-
Try al war by a neutral country or by
private parties in a neutral country the
ships themselves. without their guns
may te sold.
Mistaken Idea.
This is a mistaken idea. According to
every recent authority on international
law no nation which recognizes the laws
OF neutrality may sell any vessel TO a
Combatant. after war is declared n
the vessel was built for war. whether its
armor or equipment has been furnished
or not makes no difference.
81 Is even suggested that in the case
of Spain and The United States any for
eisn country might refuse 10 sell ships
NOW on the theory that the blowing up
Of the Maine was AN act OF war.
The three authorities on interna tional
law that deal with this point most con-
cisely, .4.sll, Lawrence and Revier and
especially keyicr whose work is tLa most
recent al make the point clear that q
neutral cannot prOviGe implements of
P-ar 10 "a combataut.
There ls nothing for a nation TO do that
wishes 40 help a friend except disregard
iuteruational law. II has been suggested
that if England wishes 20 show her
friendship for this country in most
stirring manner with a regard for the
future. and for the possibility that she
may have q war on her own hands al any
minute. she may do this very thing.
There are those who are Of The opinion
that tire nlted States should not accept
anything Of this nature from Great
Britain Tor this very reason.
The preparations Of the Government
for the struggle are more and more sig
niGcant every day. There was an order
yesterday that the recruiting in th4
Navy continue indefinitely. Every man
bat is ID may become sailor I'm the
American Navy at this time There Is
40 limit in sight and probably viii not
be for some time TO come. Ii was said