The herald., 1898-03-08
DRIFTING TOWARD WAR

Our dispatches from the storm centers
this morning are characteristic of the
critical period through which the coun-
try is passing. A careful perusal of
them, in all of their voluminous detail,
is likely to carry conviction to those who
are able to analyze what they read, and
to read between the lines, that the coun-
try is rapidly drifting toward a war
with Spain. Even those who have, from
the beginning of the trouble heavily dis
counted the probability of an open rup-
ture, and continued to hope that con-
flict might be averted, now conclude that
the chances are at least as three in five
that before another fortnight the two
countries will be engaged in measuring
strength on land and sea.
None need be told that the adminstra-
ton has endeavored to avert the shock:
for have we not all been complaining
of its peace leanings, and have not all
been irritable, to the point of eXasper-
alton, at what has appeared to be will
ingness upon the part of the president
to sacrifice something of national pride
IL not of national honor, in the interest Of
q peaceful solution?
But today we believe it is perfectly ap-
parent that Mr.. Mckinley, while yet
hoping against hope, is at the same
time becoming reconciled to whatis fast
coming to be regarded as the inevitable,
and lending himself to every effort to
prepare the country for it,
Back of him we see a united congress-
placing all other considerations behind
it, and seeking every opportunity to hold
up the hands of the executive branch,
by providing it with the means for car
rying forward every scheme that may
be devised for offensive and defensive
operations. A bill for the Strengthening
of the artillery branch of the service
passed yesterday without division, and
the probabilities are that before ad-
journment today a measure carrying an
appropriation of fifty millions will secure
the approval of both houses of congress-
Every available vessel is being put in
readiness; every possible point of attack
is being strengthened, and ammunition
is being distributed among the defenses
along the coast lines on four sides of the
country
The most enthusiastic war spirit can
hardly find occasion for complaint with
what is being done by every branch of
the government In arranging these de-
tails there will be no cessation of effort
until the possibility of their need is
placed beyond question.
The same activity in the way of prep
aration is noticeable in Spain, which, in
deed, has gone so far as to purchase
additional warships at enormous ex-
pense. But she is also waiting. and
doubtless praying, for time to perfect ar
rangements for conflict which her as
tute rulers certainly know will be the
most sanguinary of modern times. Were
she ready she would not have withdrawn
her suggestions that Consul General Lee
be recalled, and that our government re-
consider its purpose of provisioning the
camps of the reconcentrados bv means of
war vessels The refusal of our govern
ment to comply with her wishes in re-
spect to both of these things points to
the steadily narrowing limits of the dip-
lomatic relations between the two coun-
tries, and is calculated to remove H.,
last remaining doubts harrassing the
minds of American citizens as to the
entire dependence they may now have
upon the Washington governments doing
all that patriotism, national honor and
love of country may dictate from day
to day.
The patience of the people has been
sorely tried, but they are no longer en-
compassed by doubt or apprehension.
and may now be depended upon to await
with becoming composure and fortitude
the working out of the portentous prob
lem.
ANOTHER POINT GAINED