The record-union., 1898-04-13
THE HASTE FOR WAR.

IF the country is not prepared for
war. what is the reason for haste in
provoking it?'' The question is asked
by the Albany CNew York; Journal"
and it contains it's own answer. The
evident disposition on the part of some
Congressman to precipitate war by
disagreeing with President Mckinley,
no matter what he proposes, is too
plain to be denied. It is one thing to
bring on a war and another TO carry it
on.
If a declaration. of Cuban indepen-
dence on our part is the thing to do
as is urged by the rabid war men, and
that will provoke war, it may be well
for thinking people to call a halt and
reason out the question with them
selves, How win that help the insur-
gent cause? Are not the insurgents
Infinitely better off without national OBJ
legations imposed upon them, until they
are able to stand alone?
If the Tecognitionists prevail, then,
as a matter of course there can be no
peaceabIe Intervention without the con-
sent Of the insurgents, and no action ley
us except as subordinates to the insur-
gents. Will that help the situation
any? Those so anxious for war. should
consider if the country has the money
in hand just now to pay the bill of
cost. Of course it can be raised, but
If delay is any value it is of higher
value to US than to the Spanish. It
may give us peace with all our de-
mands conceded. including the erection
of a stable Government in Cuba of the
people and by. the people.
But those who exclaim most loudly
against further delay should consider
that just now it may be a high virtue,
since military operations must cease
in Cuba with the coming on of the
rainy season now close at hand. When
it rains in Cuba it is not matter of
drops and sprinkles, but of a down
pour condition concerning which Amer
leans know very little.
The Journal the patriotism and
courage Of which is not to be ques-
toned, says with all seriousness
that, despite all preparations Spain
may make for war time is more val
liable to us than to her. We have not,
it declares as yet the necessary am
munition. Cartridges that we could
make for SIS a thousand had we erect
ed plant, as Congress was besought
to do long ago, but refused, we have
been paying $32 for, and for which we
are now paying $50, in time of actual
war viii go still higher, for they must
be made by the million.
If the independence, the absolute
freedom of Cuba, is what we want; if
we wish the Spaniard turned out root
and branch, we must go in QUILTED to
do the work thoroughly, and set up an
independent Government thatcan main
tain itself we must go in therefore
thoroughly prepared. But here it is
suggested, as the President well. says
in his message, that il we declare the
independence of Cuba before we inter
Tene, we viii have no right of inter-
yention left. AS the Albany Journal
well puts it,
If this country declares Cuba free and
independent she has no right to send
troops there to interfere with the Gu
ban authorities, and such action would
be resented by the Cubans. Their eliev-
ance against Spain is deep and deadly.
and once the power is theirs nothing
hut he Ill
iards on the island viii satisfy them.
If the United States is to declare the
independence of Cuba this country
must so further and occupy the island
with a sufficiently large force TO nre-
went war of determination
We must have an army there of
100000 men. and this force would be
deeimated by yellow fever before it
fairly landed there. The world has
witnessed the wholesale wiping out
of the Spanish troops by that terrible
disease since this war began
The country is wild with Indignation
over the blowing up of the Maine and
the sacrificing of the lives of hundreds of
loyal Americans, and the one thought
appears to be the summary punishment
of the perpetrators of the outrage. But
will precipitation accomplish as much
as deliberate and intelligent action?
The President has given no indication
of any disposition to demand anything
less than the fullest possible repara-
ton From one end to the other this
country has witnessed the greatest ac-
tivity as State after State has prepared
itself to respond to call for men and an
army of more than hundred thousand
trained soldiers is, ready and only wait
ing for the summons. Government
agents are buying ships and munitions
of war in every quarter of the globe
There has been no cessation of activity
since the first move was made. The
work is going forward to-day as rapid
ly as ever it was. One State. two States.
a dozen States may be ready to turn
over troops to the Government but the
country at large is not ready to receive
idly as possible.
Throughout all this excitement the
coolest and the busiest head in the
country has been the Presidents. With
a full knowledge of the country's needs
and knowing from actual experience
what war means. he has endeayored to
prevent premature action and to secure
time for putting the country on a war
footing. The same clamor that has
been raised against him in some quar-
ters- was raised against Lincoln in the
early days of the rebellion. In the
present crisis it requires greater moral