The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-10-14
,UBsCR1Pr1oN PRICE.
KEEP THE ARMY AND NAVY IN
HAND.

hostilities with Spain are over, bat
the first rumor from the treaty com
mission, especially those from Ma
drid, do not foreshadow a speedy
end to the negotiations Our de-
mands will soon be made known, but
the disposition of Spain will be dis
closed by a process Of subtleties Pc
culiar to its conduct of foreign re-
lations. The efforts to frame treaty
at Paris may fail. 1t is important
to remembe that the war is suspend
el,not definitely settled. Nearly
Two months have passed since the
protocol was signed, and we hold no
Cuban territory that was not in our
hands at that time. The Spanish in
Cuba have construed immediate
evacuation as equivalent to inertia
for several months. Several thous-
and Spanish troops have been with
drawn from Porto Rico, but the army
there was comparatively small and
the island in any case is not defens-
ible. Spanish resistance in the Phil
lppines is broken down, but lit is there
that Madrid will play Its most cum
nlng cards. The situation requires
care and readiness. We know from
recent events the value of prepara-
tion. 1t is the part of wisdom to
keep our military resources ready for
immediate use.
Beyond doubt the army has been
reduced quite as far as existing cir
cumstances warrant. Any deficiency
of troops will be perfectly we'll known
in Spain and will not tend to bring
about satisfactory treaty. Spain
thur fas has yielded to force, and it
is force IN the background that will
impel 1t to yield all that is essential.
1t was impervlous to reason before
the war, and is the same today ex-
cept on compulsion. There is still in
Cuba Spanish army of perhaps
100000 men. With a deadlock IN
Paris General Blanco may again say:
Come and put us out.'' Our peo-
pie are unwilling to have the nego-
tiations atParis strung out for months.
There is no occa aston for it. Such
status is not one of peace. 1t will
be almost as costly as war. We
asked no money indemnity from
Spain, but this altogether exceptional
liberality was based on the idea that
the acceptance oc the protocol would
be quickly followed by treaty prop
erly deciding every point at issue.
A striking example of the strain
placed upon our little regular army
has just been given. Part of the leg-
iment that fought at Santiago is now
battling with the Indians in Mime
sofa. Some of its men were slain in
Cuba in July and others fell in Oc-
tober IN Minnesota. We need every
man who is now in service, and the
occasion for keeping every regiment
will not PASS until a suitable treaty is
signed or the fighting renewed and
pushed beyond further contingencies.
That alertness and the most intelli-
gent foresight prevail in the navy IS
taken for granted. Not ship should |
be parted with that would be needed |
in case the peace commissioners fail.
To be forearmed will greatly assist
our representatives at Paris. They
are dealing with nation that is per
verse according to its opportunities,
and that we shall be compelled to
assume an attitude of sharp decision
is scarcely open to doubt. An am
pie army and navy waiting for the
word of command is a necessity
Globe Democrat.