The San Francisco call., 1898-03-09
A PEACE MEASURE.

~ CONGRESSMAN CANNON was right when in
 introducing his bill appropriating S5o,oooooo
 for national defense he declared It IS nor a war measure I say in my judgment it is peace measure The Government of the United States would not if 1t could trench upon the rights ot any nation upon earth In that statement the crisis IS exactly described. The United States designs no aggression against Spain, and the sum voted by Congress III the bill reported by Mir. Cannon means peace, for it gives warning to Spain that ii war comes by her provocation we shall be ready for 1t.
 That Congress has not taken this action without due cause is apparent to the whole world. We have borne with Spain long time We have given her ample opportunity to close the in Cuba with jus tce to the Cubans and honor to herself We have tolerated actions the part of her officials which have reduced American citizens resident in Cuba to such condition of Restitution that relief has had to be provided for them objects of charity. We have seen the Maine destroyed and crew of American seamen blown to death under circumstances which justify belief that Spanish treachery caused the dis aster, and still we have stayed our hands.
 Spain has not met this moderation part with proper spirit of friendiness. She has shown no appreciation of our forbearance. At time when straining point to preserve peace with her she sends notice of objection to ConsuGen- eral in the islands and request that relief sup plies for Americans in Cuba should not be sent in any vessel belonging the navy. This objection and this request tend increase the difficulty of the crisis They raise points of international antagonism and hardly be regarded anything else than in tentional expressions of ill-will and hostility.
 It is true that the firm attitude of President Nc Kinley in refusing grant either request made by the Spanish Government has been followed by a prompt submission the part of Spain. The with drawal of the demands does not however, weaken Tn any way the effect produced by making them They disclosed on the part of the Spaniards feeling Of animosity toward the United States, and the with drawal does not imply that the anmosty has abated. It is high time for the republic to be guard
 That the bill was passed by the House promptly and without division more than what was to have been expected. There divisions among the American people on issues involving national honor and national defense As matter of fact bill approprating S1oo would have readily passed the House and would have been received with an even warmer approval by the country. The old tment expressed by the phrase, Millions for de- fense but cent for tribute still lives among the people. Whatever may be necessary at this any other time to provide for defense in just will be forthcoming as swiftly the emergency calls for it.
 Moreover the vote not in any way bluff. As MT. Cannon explained, we have the money in the treasury to the appropriation if it is expended We do not have to borrow nor to increase taxation to provide $50 100000 for national defense If bank rupt Spain has any judgment left in her councils she will take notice of that fact and not throw herself into conflict that will end only in her defeat and