The Indianapolis journal., 1898-07-03

newspapers are in a great state of excite
ment because the Americans venture to
question the motives of the extraordinary
display of German ships at Manila. Public
opinion in America. on the other hand. Is
very naturally aroused by the exceedingly
outspoken language coming from inspired
sources in Germany in regard to the proper
aims of German policy in the Philippines.
The efforts TO explain away that language
by pretending it was used only by the
malicious British press may do well for
the consumption of German readers, but 1t
will not impose for an instant upon Amer
lean intelligence. Apart from the menaces
which, however disavowed in words, find
their concrete embodiment in the German
ships, the American government cannot but
be aware that the official explanation of
these ships being at Manila practically
places America on the level with Turkey.
Were the Germans at war with France and
in possession of French colonial harbor,
with the intent TO reduce a French town,
and were America to send into that harbor
a naval force comparative with that of Ger
many, under the pretext of protecting
handful of American subjects from outrage,
we have no doubt the world would ring
with German protests at the gross breach
four British vessels are at Manila and that
our commander-in-chief at Hong-Kong has
power to send more if necessary, but the
Americans know well that the meaning of
our presence there is quite different from
anything that charity can assign as mean
ing of the German demonstration, in view
not only of the semi-official and inspired ut
terances of the German press, but of the
general attitude of the German govern
ment.'
The Spectator prints an article which is
likely to attract attention on the widening
of the war in every direction, during the
course of which it says: "One thing is very
curious in all this matter and that is the
scanty evidence of American opinion which
reaches Europe. What do all those quiet
millions Of working freeholders and indus
trious citizens who live with newspaper cor
respondents think about the war? Are they
aware that their country stands at the
parting of the ways, that her external
policy must be radically modified, and that
she is engaged in a war which may so de-
velop that it will occupy years, create ma
tional debt and leave the United States
with a powerful army and the second fleet
in the world? Do they think of peace, or
have they made up their minds that there
shall be no peace until Spain begs for it
and surrenders her colonies. Above all,
have they thought of the possibility of the
war extending, and what, in that case, they
will order their government to do?"
The Spectator, continuing, says it believes
the Americans will ''go on fighting with
ever increasing energy and volume of sacri-
fee until they win and are able to dictate
terms of peace to their antagonists. They
ing or loss such repulses may involve, and
they will insist upon the great fleet and the
skeleton of powerful army being regarded
as part of the national machinery no longer
to be neglected or abolished as the light
houses or offices of paying the interest on
the national debt.
The Spectator also devotes considerable
attention to the Philippine islands, where,
it says, unless both parties keep their heads
and tempers there will be shots exchanged
between the American and German ships.
Both sides may misunderstood the position
of a strictly neutral fleet, the weaker thirst
ing to commit everybody that it may
benefit by the concussion, and the stronger
irritated at having to provide for contln-
gency it did not anticipate. Admiral Dewey,
for example, cannot venture to exhaust or
nearly exhaust his supply of shells in bonn
harding Manila. With the Germans look
ing on when the bombardment begins, with
German officers at Cavite, and German ma
rines at Manila, and German cruisers in
the harbor, and a German prince among
them all Admiral Dewey will have most
delicate part to play. and playing delicate
part while shells are screaming and sailors
are dying and the reputation of new navy
is at stake is not so easy"