The times., 1898-02-13
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY Is. 1898.
Modern Naval Warfare.

In dealing with the possibility that
~ may have what officially would be
considered a war with Spain, it is i'm
possible for national journal like The
Times not to call indignant attention
to the advantages which the policy OF
the Administration has given TO a
possible antagonist. For two years we
have been confronted by an interna-
tional question, the solution of which
al any time mp TO within a few weeks
would have been easy and without
danger. If the Administration had not
entered into practical alliance with
Spain for the benefit of the Spanish
cuban bondholders, and had recognized
the belligerency Of the Cuban republic.
the whole matter as far as we are con-
Cerned. would have been settled upon
the precedent established by Spain in
1Sel
AS long as the country of WeyleV
and Sagasta believed that the Repub-
lican party and its Administration
could be counted upon to suppress
American patriotism, and as long as
the new American navy could be util-
ized at the expense of the American
people TO act as the blockading fleet
nf Spain that power was well content
But the moment it appeared that the
American sea power was TO be used for
national and not for Spanish purposes,
matters We're not as pleasant and
Spain, with feverish haste. began the
task Of securing navy competent TO
whip the one which had so kindly been
lent to her previously.
That work is still in progress. and our
authorities are likely to let it go on un-
til completion. Perhaps they hope that
it viii result in compelling America 10
accept any sort of insult and TO refrain
from fighting. Possibly the idea is to
allow Spain TO secure a superior posi-
fion on the water. and then TO dictate
terms Of settlement Of the Cuban war
in the interests Of the bondholders who
may think that their control Of the
American power is no longer sure
enough to be depended upon.
AS above remarked, ii is exasperat-
ing to observe the complacency with
which operations having for their pur-
pose war against this nation are treat
ed by the Administration. The very
idea involves unfriendliness to the peo-
pie who stultified themselves and post
poned, if they did not destroy, their
prosperity to put Mr.. Hanna and Mr.
Mckinley in power.
To-day the American navy is supe-
rior to the Spanish by, say, 40 per cent
in practical lighting power That is
only a nominal expression, based upon
displacement, armament and speed.
When We come to consider the differ
cree between graduates of Annapolis
and trained Anglo-Saxon seamen on
The one hand, and the superficially ed
ucated and degenerate officers and sail
ors of Spain on the other. the chances
in favor of an American victory in a
sea fight are not doubtful.
Notwithstanding that factor, the out
come of the first naval battle between
modern warships is as likely to be set
lied by chance as by science or tactics.
Nothing of the kind has been seen as
Yet. The nearest approach to it was at
csc war. and that. as well as the 9TH
er pseudo sea fights, was lamentably
lnconclusive. Indeed. it is not at all
certain that the naval evolution of our
generation has not proceeded upon mis-
taken lines. A first-class warship of
the day is wonderful, a powerful a
complex and a most delicate piece of
mechanism; liable TO be put out of
gear, control and action by a trivial ac-
cident, or almost a shot from a mus
let ball, if delivered upon the right
spot Skill, drill and courage viii al
ways count in a contest where other
things are equal, but, after all we
must give respect to the factor of
chance.
The tendency in war. like other things
is evolution followed by revolution. A
century or less ago armies fought in
masses. Three centuries ago they
fought in masses and as individual
ironclads. Both armor and mass have
been abandoned. and the science of war
has brought us back to the natural ard
effective orgapiZation. and the extended
containing lic." tf the Sioux Indian
So it is possible that it may be in The
case of the navy. The coming trouble
with Spain may develop the proposition
that the old wooden line-of- battle shin.
which used to be able to stand UP and
be shot full Of holes. broadside TO