New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-24

n peaceful people, little inclined to join IN other
countries battles. and as far as possible re-
moved from all tendency to become militant
Power. Public opinion here is not less strong
I'm unfolding our established principle OF mind
ing our own business than 1t was before me
growth OF commerce and navigation and the
nrocrcss Of invention broadcned our horizon.
Coaling stations and ports Of refuge are not
points OF irritation TO everybody near theh''
England almost surrounds us with such sta
tons. but not one of them Is cause or I'M
pleasanlnpss. Yet were she engaged III war
with any naval Power. no matter how remote
from this continent. those stations mlghs De
invaluable TO her. SO with us. We can never
tell when the safety Of our fleet may depend
on an open port In some far-off corner or me
world.
This war with Spain was expected TO be a
local war It's most important events so far
have taken place at the opposite side or the
globe. Neutrality proclamations turned Adj
miral Dewey adrift He had to find home
port, and he conquered one. IF he had been
weaker suffered mishap every Eastern IN
terest Of the United States might have Deen
M the mercy of Spain. War means an attack
wherever an enemy has unprotected interests
and n nation with great commerce must send
its navy into every part Of the world where
an enemy can strike il. That navy must nave
coal and chance 10 refit If II has no place
Of It's own and cannot conquer one IT Will
itself he conqucrcd Consider the War OF 1Sl2.
Who would have thought that n naval station
in the South Pacihc would be of any inpOr-
lance TO us in the struggle when our Western
settlements were along the Mississippi and We
had no foot OF territory south Of Louisiana
Yet we had to make one there for ourselves.
The South Pacific was full Of our whalers, and
Captain Porter was sent TO warn and protect
them. Far from home he was compelled 70 re-
nt and. having no port OF his own convenient,
no was forced TO put for the most available
island over which European rule had not been
established. He sailed TO the Marquesas ISL
nnds subdued them and made them the centre
OF his operations against the British.
In this day OF steamships supply stations are
even more necessary than at Porter's time. No
matter how pacific our ideas. war may be forced
upon us. Otherwise might better have no
forts or ships at all. When such war comes
II will rage seven thousand miles away as
likely as here or on the coasts Of the enemy
Therefore simple prudence dictates that We
should hold far away from our own shores such
available naval bases ne fortune may put into
our hands. Whether or not we use them for
aggression depends on orr National temper. 1t
will not be more truculent because 81 coallng
stations. Weakness is not proof of good nature
particularly when that weakness Is ~ a tech
meal nature, which does not take away from
the popular sense Of strength. Let the people.
confident IN the Nations greatness. plunge into
war. and then II Is that that lack Of collins
stations which was supposed 10 guarantee them
against quarrcls leaves them open to attack
wherever their naval forces have been scat
tered for the protection Of a worldwide com
mcrce.