New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-22
STOP AIDING THE ENEMY.

The passage by the Senate Of bill authorz'
Ing the President 10 stop expectation OF coal or
Other material useful TO an enemy In war is
step taken not an hour too soon II anything
were needed To prove that the Americans are "A
peaceful people and utter amateurs in war. the
proof would be found in the simple and trusiiul
way In which permit prospective enemy
to equip himself from our stores NO nation
making the slightest pretence TO military
genius would be AT loss for plausible pre-
texts by which It could prevent the eXporta-
ton Of supplies nj time Of crisis without
thereby aggravatlng trouble and making the
embargo a practical declaration OF war. But
we have had TO wait not only until tho actual
severance OF diplomatic relations. but even until
the overt act OF war-unlcss the special act or
Congress shall anticipate that contingency by n
few hours
Meanwhile great quantities ~ supplies have
been purchased for shipment TO the Spaniards In
Cuba and coal has been sent TO enable the fleet
at Cane Verd 10 come and attack US. The sim
pclty OF our conduct would be amusing II II
were not fraught with serious dangers II IL OF
n piece with the courtesy displayed in the Civil
War; when naval vessel arrived In Boston
after a years voyage begun before the outbreak
OF hostlllties, and some Of the Southern officers
on board who then first learned OF the war were
permitted TO 90 and serve the Confcdcracy.
Anywhere else they would have been confined
In n fort instead OF being asked to choose
whether they would fight for their country or
against IT, But we were amateurs who car
rled the instincts OF peace and personal fair play
to extremes. We paid for our initial gentlencss
by struggle long protractcd. and hesitation in
.lf..c
mean unnecessarily long and hard fighting here
after
But It IS not our laws alone or mainly that
are open to criticism. The conduct OF great
number OF shippers and merchants in the last
few weeks has been scandalously unpatrotc.
Not only have they sought to bleed their own
country. but they have been willing to aid Spain
whenever It would fattcn their own pockets.
The Naval Board appointed to purchase auxll-
larry vessels was bcsct with American citizens
trying to palm off unscawOrthy huks on the
Government at outrageous prices. Americans
went abroad in advance OF Government agents
and secured options on war materials, hoping TO
cxtort profit from the Nations necessities. Mule
breeders I'm the West are asking the Army twice
the usual price for animals Coal dealers are
rushing supplies abroad whore Spain can use
them to destroy American lives and property.
And an American steamship company which
has received large sums Of money from the
United States Treasury, has the wckedncss TO
send food and supplies for the Spanish soldiers
even after relations between the two countries
are suspended, cynlcay Boosting. 'Its m i'll
wind that blows nobody any good"
Are we a nation Of shopkeepcrs? Are the
taunts Of critics that We have been rushed into
this war by schemers who wish to vicmize the
country as contractors to have a color Of truth !?
If not, 1t Is time that American sentiment was
aroused to make cheating and extortlon in mill
tary contracts as odlous as open treason. 1t Is
moral treason. 1t gives aid and comfort to the
enemy 1t levies war against us and takes the
lives OF our soldiers and sailors.