The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-06
GIVE THE PRESIDENT ALL NECEs-
SARY AUTHORITY.

we have never been Of those who
thought there would be war between the
United States and Spain because we
have never been able TO see any cause FOR
war. We have no right TO interfere be-
tween Spain and the Cubans and we have
assumed therefore that this country would
not interfere. We have supposed conse-
ouontly that there would be no war due
20 this cause. Nothing has so far been
developed tending 20 show that The
Spanish government was responsible for
the destruction Of the Maine so that we
have seen nothing in that incident out Of
which war could grow. We have never
believed therefore that there could be
war. 1t Is becoming more and more evil
dent every day, however, b a there Is
another element in the case that is 20 be
reckoned with and that is rapidly making
the situation more more serious all
the time. Spain herself is IN q revolution
airy state. her government is tottering TO
its fan, and any unpopular step would
precipitate a revolution that would prob
ably involve the country in civil war.
All Spaniards. of which ever side, resent
the suggestion Of any interference n
the Cuban imbroglio by the United States.
No government that permitted the slight
est interference by the United States
could maintain itself an hour. The indi-
cations are growing, therefore, all the
time that the present government OF
Spain has resolved to force war upon us
as a means Of preventing its own over
throw. This is the %strangest Of all ano-
males. but IL IS a factor In the case that
must be always kept in view. 1t would
look like madness for Spain TO force war
.upon the United States, as. however she
might meet with temporary success,
abe would necessarily be Inundated and
crushed in the end. Blu We must never
forget the standpoint from which Premier
Sagasta and his associates view the casa
They naturally think IT is far better that
The whole people OF Spain should meet
with a disaster than hat they and their
friends should be overthrow and made
the victims Of a bloody revolution that
would disrupt Spanish society and plunge
the nation into anarchy. We are reluct-
antly coming TO believe more and more
every day that sagasta's government
may be forced to declare war upon us,
and, if that is so, then we should be
speedy in making every possible prepa-
ration for war.
The most significant circumstance Of
NIL. is the announcement cabled yester-
nav from London that the Spanish gov
ernment has succeeded in purchasing
several new n formidable war ships,
and that it IS negotiating for the pur-
chase OF several others. In the present
state OF affairs this can have but one
meaning. IL means that Spain is pre-
pairing for war.
II tho war comes. Il must OF course be
n naval war principally and We should
omit no EFFORT TO have ourselves as thor
oughly prepared for that as possible. We
have harbor after harbor into which one
such ship as Spain has just bought could
force an entrance. and. once In. theh high
powered guns OF tho ship could, in a
very few hours. do immense damage. The
effective way OF barring out such ships
IS 20 nave other ships capable Of meet
ing the Spanish ships upon the high seas
and fighting them there. We have n
small navy OF splendid ships that will
b. entirely able Ia take care Of them
selves. in any contest that the may be-
come involved IN. But a battleship at
Key West viii be Of no service when the
vizcaya is steaming into Norfolk. We
want enough ships TO guard our ports and
also 20 have a feet out at sea capable
OF meeting any Spanish Squadron that
may be collected together.
We cannot, Of course, build the nsces-
sary ships before the emergency is on
rs II we are 10 have war IN fact. But
as we understand. there are a number
of war ships being constructed in Europe
that are about completed. that can be
purchased.
Notifying as II would Do TO American
pride. convincing proof as 1t would be