The record-union., 1898-05-30

a foreign foe whose unchecked ad-
vance logically would lead to final in
vasion, it is a distinct slur upon the
citizenry of the United States to as
sert that conscriptions would be ne
cessity.
In the attitude of the American peo-
pie to-day there is nothing to justify
Captain Parker's implied reflections
With sectionalism blotted out, and
without one fear expressed that the
enemy with which we are now engaged
could effect a landing on our shores,
we have the spectacle of ten volun
teers offered to the one volunteer need
ed. Let the situation be such that an
invasion is even possible, and sober
judgment must lean to the probabil-
ity that the volunteer fighting forces
Of the country would be limited only
by the numbers of able-bodied citizens
capable of field service.
THE BATTLE FLAGS.
New York Times: The proposition
to return the captured Confederate
flags to the States by the troops of
which they were borne, on application
of the Governors will arouse no oppo-
sition in the North, though the men
who now advocate it foamed at the
mouth when Mr.. Cleveland suggested
it. But we can readily imagine that
there should be few applications from
the South. There cannot be any partic-
ular qualification in possessing flags
which, though they We're undoubtedly
bravely defended in most cases, were,
nevertheless captured or surrendered.
1t may we'll appear to our Southern
fellow cOuntrymen that these flags, in
their State custody, are really remind
ers of defeat. In the custody of the
National Government they are merely
mementos of a past struggle, with the
result of which the whole nation is sat
isfied. They are no longer trophies in
any sense, and are not so regarded.
NEWS CENSORSHIP.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: No sensible
person will object to the censorship
which the United States Government
is now exercising upon press dispatches
from the seat of war. No patriotic
newspaper cares to publish anything
inimical to the success of the American
arms. A great deal of news has been
published which, perhaps, ought not to
have been published, but for this the
Government alone, and not the newspa-
pers is responsible. A newspaper would
not be justified in exercising a personal
censorship Of news which came to it
over the wires, for the same news may
have been transmitted to fifty papers
and of that number some would use it,
and, therefore all may use it. But it
is just that the Government itself
should exercise a rigid censorship over
all press dispatches concerning naval
and military movements. The news
papers will not complain about the ex-
ercise of a judicious authority. 1t is
no curtailment of the liberty of the
press or of the right of speech. It is
merely the course of wisdom and is
essential to military success.
PROOF THAT THE PRESIDENT
WAS RIGHT.
Cleveland Leader: The news con-
cerning the weakness of the insurgent
forces in Cuba and of the strength of
the Spanish army under General Blan-
co, which is said to have been received
by the President, will surprise nobody
who has tried to get the facts.
1t has been apparent for some time
that the situation of affairs in Cuba
has been grossly misrepresented to our
Government by the agents of the junta
in this country. This has been proved,
in fact. by the failure of the eXpedi-
tions sent to Cuba to form a junction
with the rebels, and it has been dem
onstrated that little if any dependence
can be placed on the armies of Gomez
and Garcia in the campaign that is
to be conducted against the Spaniards.
These latest disclosures will prove
the wisdom of the policy adopted by
the President in delaying active oper-
ations in Cuba. If he had decided upon
an invasion with the regular army,
without waiting for the mobilization
insisted he ought to do, the expedition
would doubtless have ended in disaster,
for it is clear that it will take at least
one hundred thousand we'll drilled and
disciplined men to cope with BlancO's
army
The weakness of the insurgent forces
and the utter absence of an organized
Cuban Government in the island
proves, also, that the President was
right when he refused to advocate the
recognition of either the belligerent
rights of the Cubans or the independ-
ence of the Cuban Republic.
1t is now clear that the United States
must not only furnish the troops to
overthrow Spain in Cuba, but that it
must also take control of affairs in the
island until a stable government has
been organized to assume the admins
tration.