The age-herald., 1898-02-10
THE DOGS OF WAR
 MAY BE LOOSED
By NED BRACE.

The Cuban belligerency matter has been revived in Washington The news is to the effect that the senate will pass another resolution recognizing the belhgerent rights of the Cubans. It has already passed one which Tom Reed has piegonholed in the house. This time the senate has taken a near cut, so to speak, and placed the mat ter on the diplomatic and consular appro- priaticn bill in the form of an amendment. That places it where the house can no longer dodge the issue.
 When the senate amends an approp1da- ton bill which originates in the house, that bill must go back bo the house and the latter body must either concur or non concur in the amendment. The house must, therefore, vote on the amendments. Thus the house will be forced to vote upon this amendment recognizing the belligerent rights of the Cubans.
 The question arises can one Thomas B. Reed force the republican side of the house to vote it down. Both political par ties in their recent platforms declared that such rights should be accorded the strug- gMnE and patriotic Cubans. Two-thfrds of the republican members of the house are outspoken in their sympathy for the
  sympathy will be expressed in substantial form by both houses of congress and the president will be forced to approve it.
 MT. Mckinley cannot veto one part of a bill without vetoing it all. To veto the entire bill would be to discontinue our entire diplomatic and consular service. Thus it begins to appear that finally the Cubans are to be recognized as bellfger- ents. What does that mean? Simply that this government officially recognized the Cubans as party to a war-that we ac- cord the Cubans the same right to pur- chase arms and ammunition in this coun- try accorded to the Spanish-that we say to both sides of the conflict fight 1t out, may the best man win.
 Such declaration would at once arouse the enmity of Spain, because it would mean that our ports would be thrown open to the Cubans and they would be permitted to draft all the aid from this country they could pay for, or that might be given them. It would mean no more nor less than victory for the Cubans.
 Spain's honor being at stake, in order to make it's loss of Cuba less humliating, it is possible that Spain would declare war against the United States.
 Those who think we would drive the Spanish navy from the seas in week are mistaken. The Spanish navy is no weak ling compared to ours. It would put up a good fight and perhaps play havoc with several of our southern Atlantic and gulf cities, so long neglected as to fortifca- tions However after much loss we would win and Cuba would be made either re- of tha nj
 But a war with Spain might bring upon us other difficulties. Our relations with Germany are now seriously strained. That country is retaliating upon us in every pos sible way because of the Dingley bill duties upon German beet sugars. It has not only shut out our hog and beef pro- ducts, but has recently tabooed out fruits and live stock. The young emperor of Germany is looking for trouble and noth- ing would please the young man better than to cross swords with us.
 Small things sometimes lead to wars. Start fight and every bully round about wants to get into it.
 The consequences of modern war might be appalling.
 Strange as it may seem every great na- tion on earth is today making preparations for war. England, Germany, Russia, France Spain, Italy, Japan and the United States are all today involved in complica- tions of one kind or another which might any day result in war. Every one of these countries is today putting its navy in con dition for war. The Chinese complications are yet dangerous. The Cuban situation is more SO If the senate and house pass the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill with the Mason amendment, the dip- lomats must be active, else the dogs of war may be loosed any bright morning.