The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
."HEADED STRAIGHT FOR WAR;
Comments of the London Press on the
Situation.

LONDON, April 13.-The afternoon news
papers of this city unanimously express the
opinion that both the United States and
Spain are heading straight for war. There
is also disposition to blame President Nc
Kinley for his alleged indecision.
The st. James Gazette, commenting on the
political situation, says: The system of
conducting delicate diplomacy through rival
committees iS not commendable generally
and has led, in this instance. to deplorabe
results General Fitzhugh Lee, who makes
warlike speeches and openly espouses the
cause of the insurgents and declares the
time has arrived for action against the
friendly power to which he was accredited,
is setting the tone in America. He is not
a cautious man ike General Woodford or
President Mckinley. So the fire-eaters and
sword-wavers are to have their way, be-
cause the cautious and experienced men are
timid and do not possess the firmness or
courage to declare their decision and insist
upon it.
The Westminster Gazette says: IF the
proposed resolutions pass it means the
Americans have cut themselves off from
peace They will have done deliberately
after much thought and considerable provo
cation, and in spite of concessions upon
which at least a temporary peace might
have been patched up. 1t will be their
choice and we can only hope they have
counted the cost.
The Pail Mall Gazette supports President
Mckinley sa wing: He has comported him
self with skill and propriety throughout. AS
a result he is now able to take a line which
will not fail to get America solid around
him. The crisis has come and it finds the
President ready to act.
The Times, commenting editOrially this
CThursdayl morning on the resolutions sub
SAYS: "They embody demands which cannot
be addressed to sovereign power without
rendering negotiation and compromise I'M
possible. Even If they do not amount in
form to a declaration of war, these resolu-
tons are accompanied by violent and Of
fensive reports offering gratuitious provo
cations to the Spanish government and peo-
pie in the eyes of the civilized world The
American case cannot but be seriously pref
udiced by the manner in which 1T is now
presented. We doubt, after yesterday s
scenes. whether Congress is a fit body to
deal with a great national issue or to act
as the avenger of wrong. The situation is
eTything but name, although without hav-
ing defined. except in the vaguest manner,
the objects for which it wishes to fight"
Other editorials assert that America is
heading deliberately for war" and that
there is only the faintest chance now that
the delay will still enable peaceful solu-
ton.
The Daily News says: 1.-THE true meaning
of President McKinley's action cannot be
MISTAKEN. II lie were opposed TO war ne
would not have written such a message.
He has been most unfairly attacked for an
alleged abdication of his power. The fact is,
he has done the utmost he honorabIy could
to avoid war. but he did not make the
American Constitution, which intrusts
war decision to Congress-
The Daily Chronicle. which similarly de-
tends President Mckinley against criticisms
that the Times newspaper with the ac-
customed natuity of it's treatment of Ameri-
can affairs makes against him., says else
a "a lnncr NV
elemental forces which her coolest states
men and shrewdest financiers cannot con-
trol."
The Standard says: 1.-The steady current
towards war reminds one of the course of
the Niagara river above the falls. There
seem to have been few slight disturbances
on the surface of the stream in the shape
of something like the personal encounters
in the House of Representatives but there
has been check or diminutiOn in the
strength of the current
The Daily Mail thinks that events are
moving in the most desirable direction and
giving America time to perfect her prepara-
tons to insure a speedy victory"
The Daily Telegraph looking to the like
lihood that after Spain has been defeated
the Cubans will not submissively accept the
terms America may choose to impose"
says: 1T is no light task that America has
undertaken in the interest OF humanity, hut
one that will tax Tie resource fulness vl.d
statesmanship of her rulers to the kerry IT.
most"
The Daily Graphic says: 'rhe War VIII
on the seas; but there will lie worse trage-
dies in Cuba. where the United States will
have to face an army If hundred thou
sand men,.