Arizona republican., 1898-05-05
OUR WAR POLICY.

The policy of the United States in
 the prosecution of it's war with Spain
 has been from the start one of fair
 ness and justice, even to our armed en-
 emies. It IS not the intention of this country to indulge in privateering and
 it is not the intention of our govern
 ment to do aught but what is consist
 ent with the dignity of a great nation.
 The president notified masters of Spanish merchantmen that they will
 be given until May 21 in wnic. to leave ports in this country and that they will be permitted to continue their voyage without interference. provided they are not bound for block aded ports and do not carry any con- traband goods or officers of the Span ish army. As to the selzure of ves- sells prior to the issuance of the procla- nation that is matter yet to be de- termined. It may be decided that some of the captures made by the fleet
 in Cuban waters were premature and that the vessels and cargoes may be returned to their owners.
 The United States can afford to be fair. It is not an ordinary warfare that has been inaugurated. It is an extraordinary war in every respect
 We may capture and hold ports in the Philippines, but we do not want 10 acquire Spanish territory there. Our object and our sole desire is to en- force the demand upon Spain that she vacate the island of Cuba.
 We have no fearss however, as to the correctness of the policy to be fol- lowed by the administration. Presi- dent Mckinley is disposed to wage dignified war against Spain-a war Of Spain's own choosing. We have set about to intervene and that interven- tion has but one object in view. If we can gain our point without serious engagements so much the better.
 Spain gave vessels floating the American flag thirty days in which to leave Spanish ports, but no guar antee was given that they would not be captured as soon as they reached l the high seas. We, on tae contrary, gave Spanish vessels an opror:uDity to | get home.
 The United States can afford to go | slowly and do only those things that ] will count for the most when blows 1 are struck. We shall not do anything that will embroil the neutral natioas and we shall give Spain every oppor- tunity to get out of it's position as easily as possible.
 We will pursue a policy that will win for us the respect and confid .nce of every European nation, no matter how much it may be disposed to stand in our way. Great Britain has de- clared it's position as to the contend ing powers, and Spain is to be treated with just as much respect as the United States. Spain has no occasion to feel aggrieved at the attitude of Great Britain. We have already lost one of our torpedo boats lying in an English port and we have lost a car go of saltpetre, although it was sched- uled as being used as fertilizer Thus far we have got the worst of Great Britain's impartial attitude, but we cannot complain. Our policy along every line is correct and the world will discover that our war is not to be enc of mere vengeance it is a war dictated by the loftiest motives
 At the same time, in carrying out this policy we shall continue to strike such blows as may be necessary to bring about speedy concession to all of our demands, and if the lesson at Manila should not prove sufficiently i we shall not hesitate to ap- ply the rod fully and freely until the l vital spot shall be reached.