The Irish standard., 1898-02-26
THE PRELlMlNARlES OF WAR.

SPAN as an outcome OF the disaster to
the battleship Maine in the harbor Of
HAVANA. Though the feeling is daily
growing that the noble vessel and her
crew have been the victims of Spanish
treachery, yet the American government
and people are willing to wait for the
proofs. The Washington Star has print
ed news to the effect that when Consul
General Lee and Captain Sigsbee were
attending a bull fight prior to the ex-
plosion of the Maine an inflammatory
circular against the United States was
being circulated among the excited spec
tators of the bloody sport 1t is said
that copy of 1t fell into the hands Of
Capt. Sigsbee with the following words
written on its border: Look out for
your ship" Some prominent lawyers
including Robert T. Lincoln, Of Chicago,
are reported to have said that whether
the catastrophe was the result of an &C
cident from a torpedo in the harbor or
was caused by Spanish fanatic, the
United States cannot claim indemnity,
since no country is obliged to reveal the
berths of it's torpedoes or is responsible
for the acts OF it's private citizens. Be
that as it may. if the American people
become convinced that the destruction of
the ship is due to Spanish foul play
a war with Spain is almost inevitable. In
this connection the following timely edi-
torial Of the Peoria Journal of last Sun
day makes instructive reading:
Few persons have any conception Of
the initiatory steps and mode of pro-
cedure that bring two civilized nations
into a state Of war. The general i'm
preston seems to be that open HOSTILE
ties between Spain and the United States
could be started almost instantly. While
they could be, they perhaps will not be.
Preparations might be made months in
advance before an open rupture occur
red but the steps the United States will
probably take in order to go to actual
war with Spain are many. The powers
to begin war are derived from the con-
stitution, and they pertain to offensive
and defensive action, and provide for the
necessary resources, financial and other
wise, to carry on the conflict. Here is
that portion Of the constitution which
grants the powers:
Article l., Section VII, Clause AL
bills for raising revenue shall originate
in the house of representatives, but this
senate may propose or concur with
amendments as on other bills.
Section VIII.-The congress shall have
power CLAUSE ID to declare war, grant
letters of marque and reprisal, and make
rules concerning captures on land and
water.
Clause ITO raise and support
armies; but no appropriation of money
to that use shall be for longer term
than two years.
Clause 13.-To provide and maintain a
navy
Clause Ito make rules for the gov
eminent and regulation of the land and
naval forces.
Clause 15.-To provide for calling
forth the militia to execute the laws of
the union, to suppress instructions and
repel invasions.
Clause 16.-To provide for organizing
and disciplining the militia, and for gov
erning such part Of them as may be en-
ployed in the service of the United
States, reserving to the states respec-
lively the appointment of the officers,
and the authority of training the militia,
according to the discipline prescribed by
congress.
Article II, Section II, Clause 1.-The
president Shall be commander-in-ch
Of the army and navy Of the United
States, and of the militia Of the several
states when called into the actual service
of the United States.
1t will be observed from this that con-
gress gives the necessary authority to
make war and approprates adequate
means for carrying it out. The first
steps necessary, however, to war are on
the diplomatic side. Whenever dis
tllrbance occurs with country having
ulplOlllatlC IelallOnS WIN the United
States, the casus belli--in this country
the destruction of the battleship Maine
is first laid before the state depart
ment by the American authorities resid-
ing in the foreign country; just as is
now being done in the'case Of the Maine.
The minister of the foreign power enters
into communication with the secretary
OF state under the instructions of the
minister of foreign affairs Of his country.
This is the diplomatic stage of the affair.
1t is conducted by the state department
without publicity, so long as it appears
practicable to adjust the difficulty with
out recourse to war. Congress, If in
session, as is the case at present, may
ask the president to lay the papers be.
fore that body, and this request the chief
executive may grant or deny as he sees
fit. Every avenue Of diplomatic inge-
nuity must be traversed to avoid war.
When all efforts in that direction have
failed, the next step for the United