The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-03
HOW WARS BREAK OUT.
HOstilities Generally Begin without
the slightest Warning.
From the chIeago ChronIcle.

From the Chicago Chronicle.
Wars generally begin Unexpectedly and
without warning. Investigation by Col
Maurice Of the British war office shows
that during a period of 40 years only one
case can be found In which the attack
ing nation lodged formal warning before
commencing hostilities That nation was
France, in 1870. OF the causes of secrecy
in 1O7 wars which the colonel has looked
into, in forty-one of them the object was
to gain time by suddenness OF attack; in
twelve, the desire was to postpone, as long
as possible the actual admission of a state
of hostility or to throw on the other pow
err the responsibility. IN nine cases sudden
attack was made to anticipate designs OF
another power, respecting which secret in
formation had been received; sixteen were
raids, reprisals pressure and other things
not wholly war; four were violations OF
neutral frontiers during the progress of
war and in five the nation slipped into war
by giving help to another state.
Away back IN history, when folks took
things more lesurely than nowadays. IL
was always announced by heralds and am
pie time was given for preparation As the
CENTURIES rolled on, however, the enemy
did not receive so much consideration,
Though neutral powers were duly inform
ed For long time now the custom has
been to conceal the intention until the
commencement Of actual hostllites diclos-
es it, And Il IS tolerably certain that the
next war will open with far less warning
than usually precedes q thunderstorm.
There are many good reasons for this.
Swlftness of communication, destructive
ness of modern artillery, ease of mobiliza-
| ton the telegraph and the great adyant-
age Of striking the first blow have entire
ly altered the aspect OF warfare.
The United States in 1912 declared war
against Great Britain by an act of Con-
gress on June IS. but Il had actually be-
gun hostiHties the previous April by lay
ing an embargo on all ships in American
ports It was not until duly 70 that the
British learned what the state of affairs
was. and then not by an intimaton from
Uncle Sam, bus by means of dispatches
sent by the schooner Mackerel from Hall
fax.
The United states war with Mexico,
likewise, was not the subject Of formal
declaration til May 10, although hostilities
had been in progress since March a. 1876.
Many persons will be able TO recall the
reading OF the British declaration of war
against Russia from the steps of the
Royal Exchange in London. That was a
declaration OF war" no doubt, but it
came long after war had actually broken
out, and It was not made at st. Peters
burg, but in London.
The events preceding It were briefly
these: To begin with, Russia had the
dispute with Turkey about the "holy pail
aces" in Palestine and seized the Danu-
bian prncipalities May 81 1858. Russia
issued the order 10 cross thef River Pruth:
June 2 the English and French admrals
were ordered TO Besika bay as a counter
move; then some English and French war;
ships We're sent to Constantinople; Oct
q the English and French fleets in spite
OF he treaty of 1871, entered the Darda-
nelles; Oct % Turkey declared war against
Russia: next Russia destroyed the Turk
lsh fleet at Sinope then, Jan. 4, 1864. the
English and French fleets entered the
Black sea and ordered the Russian ships
10 retire to Sebastopol; the Russian am
bassador was next Withdrawn from Lon
don; after that the French and English
ambassadors left ST. Petersburg, and 1t
was not till March q that the sergeant
at arms mounted the Royal Exchange
steps and formally declared war. France,
by the way, did it a day sooner. OF
course this declaration was-what declar-
atlons always are nova notice not to
the enemy but to the people, justifying
the progressing war and asking APP
proval and help.
Some years before this England made
war on a very small scale, as abruptly
as the fash OF a meteor. Some time in
1850 thirteen British war vessels sailed
into the Bay OF salamis. No doubt the
British had been pressing Greece to pay
certain moneys due. bur 50 ignorant was
that country Of the intentions of the
Salamis neet that the King and Queen
asked for a list Of officers in order to in
wife them 10 an entertainment, and the
admiral actually paid a. friendly visit
But next day he disclosed the fact that
he had come to enforce the Immediate
settlement or Britian's claim and gave
the Greek government twenty-four hours
in which to comply. After that he pro-
ceeded 10 h0stilities laid an embargo on
the Greek merchant vessels in the port,
and seized many others on the high
seas. Greece. Of course, did not fight.
but Il was a pucb closer thing with
France. for that country recalled her am
bassador from London ana the French
people were eager to give battle.
on another occasion. 1894. Great Britain
was hotly fighting France and negotiat-