The times., 1898-07-17
VIII Germany ExpIain:

w III
We have nothing but praise for the
diplomacy and self-restraint that have
characterized the course of Admiral
Dewey in dealing with the international
situation forced upon him at Manila.
Considering the military weakness of
his small force compared with that OF
Germany in the Philippines, it was
obviously his duty to avoid an open
rupture with the Kaiser's naval COM
mander, as long as it could be done
with honor: Pending the arrival Of ad-
ditional ships il was necessary to sub
nit to afronts which otherwise would
have been vigorously resented, and il
was display Of good common sense to
prevent the whole truth concerning the
almost hostile relations between our
own and the German squadrons from
reaching the United States, until our
power in the Far East should be suf-
ficient to cope with possible effects OF
national Indignation over here. In all
| things Admiral Dewey has shown MS
great courage and ability, and deserves
all the honor and admiration accorded
TO him.
The facts of the German affront and
of the prompt measures taken by
| Dewey in consequence are now before
the country, and whatever timidity in
high places may think about it, the
American people expect something to
be done in the premises If it be true
that some of the Presidents advisers
counsel humility and silence in the
presence OF a contemptuous imperial
insult to our flag, in one of the ports
OF an American colony, the public can
only hope that he will have the cour-
age and understanding to send them
about their business. if they have any
outside of promoting governmental
| coward!ce, and take instant action in
demanding an explanation and apology.
What is there about Germany that
| these statesmen who shudder at shad-
/ ows should be afraid Of? II has
vast and effective army to be sure.
/ What is that to US? So the first Ma
poleon had great army, and was
/ able Ia terrorize all the continent Of
! Europe with it. But low water mark
on the continental coast limited his
power. just as it does that Of the trucu-
/ lent Wilhelm. Without any wish TO ex-
| aggerate our own ability or to detract
| from that Of a possible foe, It can be
said with perfect confidence that. in a
war with US the Kaiser's navy would
| fare not much, If any, better than has
| that Of Spain. We could settle its fate
almost as quickly with the armorclads
/ 40 ha y,anhiIizad
commanders as Dewey and Schley, and
we could pay our respects TO the Ger
/ man Emperor at Kiel and other places
on his limited coast line, in a way to
make him wish he had not lacked judg-
ment as well as warships and gunners.
What good would his conscripted le-
! gions be against vessels of the Oregon
| class, throwing thirteen-inch shells at
| him from out at sea?
Even If the chances of war were more
| evenly divided, il would be a burning
| disgrace to the United States to accept
| insult from Germany or any other for
eign state. As ii is, to submit to what
| has been put upon us at Manila and in
! Subig Bay, would be abject cowardice,
! and the establishment OF a fatal repu-
! tation for submission to European dc
tation and interference in our affairs.
| The time would quickly and inevitably
come when American interests and
! honor would be ignored and sneered at
in every court and cabinet of Christen-
4 dom.
And right here we desire to say
word regarding a certain currish Tory
| disposition in some directions, to advo-
cate surrender of the Philippines
rather than by keeping them to in
| jure the feelings or TO defeat the grasp
ing ambitions of rival commercial ma
tions 1t is to be hoped that Mr.. Nc
Kinley is not inclined to listen with
| complacency to any such proposition.
! Why should we retrocede or abandon
| one foot Of the archipelago? What was
the use of Dewey's magnificent victory.
! if it did not involve our sovereignty of
the Philippines forever? They are not
only worth keeping, they are well
worth fight to the death against any
! power insolent enough to question our
! right or our possession. We could not
afford at this stage of our evolution
toward the commanding position of
! frst-class maritime and commercial
nation, to give up one acre of conquer
ed territory. To do SO would be to
take an ineonsidered back seat in the
worlds council chamber, and that the
American people will never again ac-
| cept.
No, a thousand times, no, Least of
| all viii they allow their authorities to
truckle 10 the man at Berlin, or to
dodge any issue which may be forced
by transatlantic inclination to rob us
of the fruits of war, as Japan was
robbed. President Mckinley has it
within his power to win undying fame
as the fearless champion of American
expansion backed by the fighting force
and vast material resources of his
country. He has also the black oppor-
tunity to immediate his Administration
and himself upon the altar of submis-
| sion to foreign indignity, and surrender
of American interests, rights and glory
More Young Officers.
Another very young man has been
| charged with military burdens hereto
| fore reserved for men of more ma t,,ra