The San Francisco call., 1898-03-08

NEW YORK, March IA WaSnlnSt ton special to the Herald says: In view of the strained condition of affairs be- tween the United States and the Span ish Kingdom the actual status of our representatives in Spanish ports in the event of war being declared by either nation becomes matter of timely interest. It seems somewhat ex- traordinary, but it is fact Of history that many wars, and among them some of the most important in history, have been inaugurated without the formality of a declaration of war on either side. Not infrequently the nrst intimation one of the belligerents has had of a state of war has been the blockade of a port, or the capture of a peaceful merchantmen on the high seas, or some other overt act lnolcat- ing that a state of war had material ized.
 From present appearances 1t seems that any declaration of war must or necessity come from the Spanish side of the controversy. It is impossible to fcresee just how state of war Will be indicated. whether by an attempt to blockade some exposed portland 1t may be asserted without fear Of con tradiction that our coasts are full or just such places-or by the seizure or some merchantmen in Cuban port, or perhaps the spark may be lighted in the harbor of Havana itself by an at- tack on some small warship flying the Stars and Stripes in that port. In whatever shape the outbreak does be-
 %I,n TTr,if cd Q O Government will be to see that the various Consuls, Ministers and others in our diplomatic service are insured safe conduct to their own country, to- gether with such records and papers as they may see fit to carry with them In case of an outbreak of hosti1t1es between the two nations there is not much doubt that the first papers sub- mitted for action by our Government will be presentation Of the passports of Consul General Lee at Havana Should war be unavoidable there will probably be seen a sight such as his tory will search in vain for precedents: our numerous Consulates and other diplomatic stations will undouDteoIy be turned over to the care and custody of Englishmen holding a similar posi- ton nearest at hand. It has come 10 be the feeling throughout the world these tions should shake hands Tn the race or all misfortunes which may come to either nation.
 A declaration of war is not a neces- sity for that expensive game to pesin, for just as soon as either side to the controversy feels that forbearance naS ceased to be virtue so soon d state oS war will exist. For political pur- poses nations of Europe have generally exerted their efforts to. make the 'other feller" begin the fight officially It will be remembered with what suav- itv rhe German Prime Minister egged on the French Emperor to nnal acc Iaration of war just precedent 10 the tremendous struggle which has gone sa,,,,, to history as the Franco PruS- sian'' war. Events which have ma tarialized within the last few days 1n- dicate beyond a doubt that Tn case oi war with Spain the United states Will strike a sudden and heavy plow at Snanish possessions in the Philippine IsIands And it goes equally without saving that the signs of the times in- 5icate a willingness of Japan to assist us. morally at least, in that part Of the world with an eye to the immediate future of those productive islands as an extension of its policy with regard to Formosn. Of course it is easier for a King to declare war than it is for a constitutional President, but our Pres ident has shown such good sense in this. as in other important matters, that the country stands prepared to unhold him in whatever he shall deem best for the country's good. And what is vastly more to the point, Congress will fall into line in the same direc- ton. In this case whatever the Presi- dent does is right" It may be stated that prudence will dictate the speedy home coming of our various Consuls