Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-28
sTARTING A FIGHT.

noint wherein it believes that on the
grounds of humanity, Spanish treach-
erv and self-interest, it must declare
war; If so. then what? Proceed to
fight. of course, but how shall the
fight begin?
There are many ways of starting
a fight. but it is well established
principle that the fellow who gets the
fight started his way has decidedly
the better chance Of winning. OF
course this doesn't refer to prize
fights, where everything is done in
order and by rote. and the proceed
ings stop at regular intervals and
start over again. This refers to fight
ing where both parties mean it and
are angry-where the contestants are
not under the guidance of skilled ex-
perts who keep them within certain
bounds. 1t is just as applicable to
war. where Microscopes and gate re-
ceipts are not things to be consider
ed The less advertising of the
date of opening a war, the better. If
war must be declared. it should be
denly as possible, War should be de-
clared the moment the party declaring
it is ready to strike a blow, and the
sooner that blow is struck after the
formal declaration is made, the bet
ter.
Some homely rhymester has ex-
pressed it thus:
Thrice armed is he who hath his quarrel
just
But quadruply armed is he who gets
lick in "fust."
Spain is sending a f1otilla of tor
pedo boats over to this side of the
Atlantic. Spain does not pretend that
the boats are to be equipped with
wings and to be used to fight the IN
surgents in the mountains of CUBA,
as Senator Mason put it, Spain can
have but one reason for sending tor
pedo boats to American waters We
know, President Mckinley knows. and
everybody else knows, that the Dons
expect to use those torpedo boats for
blowing American ships out of the
water, and under the law of nations
she has a right to navigate the high
seas with her f1otilla of torpedo boats
if no overt act be committed.
We have been concentrating our
naval forces in the vicinity of Cuba,
and if it has not been done with
view to getting the better of Spain in
case of war. then the navy depart
ment is not worthy the name it bears.
Spain knows there is going to be war
and we know there is going to be
war; unless Providence intervenes. Our
navy is about as near ready as it can
get within a reasonable time. The
Navy and War Departments have
both declared that we are ready for
war, if it must come.
If we let Spain get her torpedo boats
into American waters, settled COM
fortably beside coaling station, and
in the sort of shoal water in which
torpedo boats operate best, we Will
have let her get the fight started her
way. and she will have a decided ad-
vantage at the outset.
The writer remembers an incident
in public school not hundred miles
from Wheeling. A big boy came to
school, who undoubtedly had proves
as a fighter, and who was the sort OF
belligerent who wants to fight all the
time He liked to fight, and was not
particular whether he fought with
friend or enemy. He would tackle al
most any boy, big or little. His ia
vorite plan was to place a chip on his
shoulder, and banter some one to
knock it off. He had licked nearly
every boy at school, except one, who
was his match but who was disin-
clined to indulge in lsticuffs. One
day the bully got this last fellow cor
nered, and dared him to knock the
chip. The peace lover hesitated, till
the bully declared he would lick him
anyway. Finally, the peaceable boy
decided something must be done. In
stead of knocking the chip, he made
a pass as if to do so, and hit the bully
such a jolt on the jaw that he saw
stars. He followed up his advantage,
and in two minutes had the GULLY on
his back, screaming for a cessation of
hostilities.
There's nothing like getting in the
first blow. and if possible, giving IT
Unexpectedly.
If war with Spain is inevitable, then
| what is our best plan OF procedure?
Something on this order: President
Mckinley will cable the Spanish gov
eminent that for the torpedo flotilla
to proceed is equivalent to a declara-
ton of war, and will be so considered
warn the Spaniards that If the tor
pedo boats are not turned back within
| twenty-four hours, war will be de-
clared and the flying squadron at
Hampton Roads will be sent to meet
| the torpedo boats in deep water, with
| instructions to sink every one of