The times., 1899-02-12
Four books on the War.

these volumes have already appeared. Per
haps the most useful thus far is The War
with SPAIN. by Charles Morris. author of
THE Nations Navy" and other works of
the same nature. At any rate this book is
likely TO find larger public than any 9th
er which has yet appeared, for it is con-
else, careful history of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, with several maps and numerous
illustrations; dealing not only with land
and naval battles but with political causes
and results, and comprised, withal, in
volume of modest size and price. Al!
though the work has necessarily been done
quickly. there are no evidences of undue
haste and Mr.. Morris has treated his sub
ject with calm impartiality, showing no
tendency TO shield incompetence on the
one hand or condemn without a fair hear
ing on the other. This is a book which
seems likely TO be popular and TO preserve
its popularity for some time.
In reading this history one is inclined to
think that the writer must have begun it
almost as soon rs war was declared and
continued his work with the progress of
events, subiecting it all finally to careful
revision and correction. Here and there
lAt udS nuoASu newspaper uiSAldlNutS yer
batim, but there is much less of this sort
Of thing in his book than in some others
dealing with the same subject He h s
contrived 10 impart n realistic air TO his
narrative without using other msn's words
TO any great extent. Naturally. there is
not much in the book which has not ap-
peared in the newspapers or magazines at
some time or other. but il takes 4 skillful
hand TO sift the immense mass Of such ma
terial aand extract the matter of real
value In this work of selection, coEden-
sation, and arrangement Mr.. Morris is
extremely able. He wastes very few
words. and yet his style is not too laconic.
The first five chapters, or about one
fourth Of the book, are devoted TO the his
tory Of Cuba under Spanish rule, from the
discovery of the islands until the begin
ming Of the year 1898. There is a detailed
account OF the various Cuban insurrec-
tions, and the policy Of Cuban and Span
ish leaders though there is little attempt
al biography. Here, again, is a point in
which Mr.. Morris differs from some other
writer's on this subject. He does not at
tempt to give the personal history of any
of the men concerned in the war with
Spain. Those matters Will receive atten-
ton in the encyclopedias. All that he
docs is TO indicate the relation which these
various men bore 10 the events with which
he deals; and this is exactly the plan
which should be adopted in any general
history. The recording of events is one
thing and biography is another; and the
artistic quality of a book is much better
if the two things are separated. One rea-
son for this is the utter impossibility of
writing biographies Of score of men who
have played prominent parts in an inter-
national drama like this. the war with
Spain, and still preserving the impartial
attitude. MIR. Morris has done wisely in
= 60 i g.F
praise where he could and let events speak
for themselves.
PTefacss are frequently worth but ! tile
attention. but this is not the case with the
introduction to this book. II cov.rs oaly
two pages and is brief and strong stats-
Inent Of the cause and possible results Of
the Spanish-Ameri war. In i the au-
thor makes three important points: first
that this country, though naturally psacs-
ful in its policy, was forced into war by
the fact that it had to deal with medieval
methods in Spain; second, that although
increase of territory has come to US as one
OF the results of the war, that was not the
end originally In view; third, that the land
and naval battles of The summer Of 1898
have given the world an important object
lesson regarding the power OF modern
weapons and the importance OF the man
behind the gun" The final aph is
as follows:
Europe has suddenly discovered that we are
than Raiion II slgopkccpers; that we are
people who can strike sircwdly for the right
and that Is destined TO he a leader in the
VAN Of human progress; an example TO the
world al the value of free institutions peaceful
industries, high aspirations, and moral eEer-
gies.
Another paragraph of considerable i'm
portance occurs al the very end Of the
book, and elaborates this idea. Mr.
Morris sums up the effect OF the war on
Spain and the United States in these
words:
Spain has lost all, or nearly all, her remain
ing colonies, but whether this is likely TO prove
an injury or al advantage 10 her, it remains
for time decide. The colonies Of Spain for
several centuries immensely exceeded in ex-
tent thOse Of any other nation vet history
yields evidence that any benefit was ever
derived from this VIst colonial dominion. Even
IN the early days. when gold flowed
in rch streams iuto the Golfers Of
Spain, this wealth served 10 enrich
the commercial nations surrounding her-n6t
herself. IN fact, her colonies proved a deadly
incubus. draining of her energy, and yielding
nothing oi value in return. Absorbed in the
government Of these distant POSSESSIONS the
home interests Of Spain were sadly neglected
industry remained stagnaHi- commerce undcvel-
oped, and while the nations around were max
Ing immense strides forward ia prosperity Spain,
once foremost among them all, sank steadily
colonies Viii prove To her blessing. instead
81 cJlr=o- Having no Interests TO care for
abroad, She may devote attention 10 her
iHduatries q home, and develop her natural
sources -I-il IN time she TegIins something Of
her old rank among tie nations
A. regards ,hc effects ol thc war upon the
United Static. they are likely 10 be much less
important. The was but a passing incl
dent IL The history Of the cOuntry-nOt vital
IfFr sFfT4 an IF,sE
odge ot our strength and resources and won us
and high respect in Europe. but has ad-
dcd little 10 those powers and resources II has
gwen ~ island colonies hut what benefit these
are likely 10 bring u II l. too soon TO say. We
have stepped into what designate dan
gcrous imperial position, bat this simply means
that growing interest in the concerns Of
the world has been unmssked 10y the eyents Of
the var; not that these three months Of hos
tilities lave brought MS any new strength or
higher importance They have hut swept away
the mist OF misconccption, and revealed our
real Importance to the powers of the world.
u must soon have manifested itself, in any
eveut.
Two results may I,c spoken Of. The war has
had a valuaile effect IN removing the shrccs
OF iliecinE fcmaiUinE between the North and
the South, and welding the two sections II our
country into one strongly comcntod Union; and
II has aroused 4 strong sentiment Of affinity
between the Angio-SlNUu PEOPLE OF the earth.
which may ~ tho cnd prove a leading factor
IN the histories oi the nations The English
speaking peoples have grown mighty and all.
pesyad.ng with the lassage 81 the years and
with Joined hands they would be all.powcrful.
But II is in peace. not in war. that The great
Republic ~ the West ) destined 20 prevail.
il may again be forced into war. as IL has been
forced ly Spain. but peace is its mission. in
dllsty lis interest, prosperity its goal; and the
invasion oi the world which, in the future il
s. destined 10 make, viii lie that a commerce.
not ot arms; of thought. not Of force: Of the
tenei, nj products Of the soil and the mill, not