Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-10
The Price of Pence.

Those citizens who do not believe in war
or the maintenance of the means of making
war may with profit take to heart a little
object lesson which has just been afforded
by the acknowledgment by the Sultan of
Morocco of long-due indemnity to the
United States. The claim arose out of the
maltrea tment of certain American citizens
In his realm and, while completely establish
ed. was ignored by the sultan until this gov
eminent sent the cruiser Chicago into the
bay OF Tangier. Inspired by this menac-
ing presence the sultan yesterday FASTENED
To assure the American representative of
prompt payment. While this episode is
being contemplated a glance at history will
show a striking parallel in the war with
the Barbary states which followed the war
with England in 1S12 After the revolution
a sentiment arose in this country that a
navy was useless and a dangerous ap-
pendage to republic which did not pro-
pose to maintain other than the most dis
tant relations with the other powers. AS n
result of the policy pursued practically no
additions Were made to the naval force for
several years, the craft in service were not
kept in repair. and the war with England
found the country in sad state of naval
unpreparedness. Meanwhile the American
had fallen prey to the Barbary pirates 50
often that at length, in 1877. this govern
ment entered into treaty with the Dey
of Algiers and the neighboring monarchs
which virtually made this country subject
to those petty states. Heavy ransoms were
paid for captured citizens and annual tri
butte was sent to these piratical potentates.
After the war with England, the Dey of
Algiers having violated the treaty, it was
determined to punish him and an expedi-
ton was sent out under Commodore De-
catur, who defeated the Algerian navy and
compelled the dey to write a new treaty,
of an entirely different character from that
which he had broken. As a result Of this
stroke American commerce was once more
free and safe on the seas and Congress
entered upon a more liberal policy in the
maintenance of the navy.
Suppose now the universal peace advo-
cafes, modern prototypes of those citizens
who. century ago. sent the republic into
humiliating state of vassalage by their in
sistence upon small navy. had their
way and destroyed all the war-mak-
ing department of all the governments
on earth. Is there anything in the
records OF the past or the present or in
the horoscopes of the future to warrant
the belief that there would be no more Sui
tans of Morocco or Deys of Algiers? Rather
would there not be many more. encouraged
by the opportunity thus afforded for free
pillage and piracy? The world would soon
be in chaos and the dream of the peace
men would vanish in the twinkling of an
eye. War tools would speedily be made
anew and great armies would again spring
into existence. War is an evil necessity
at times. yet a necessity. 1t is, however
not an end, but a means. 1t leads to peace
to better understandings. TO more honesty
between the nations. War materials are
the guarantees against war and plumber
and disorder. Every town has its constable,
every city it's police force, every govern
ment its army. There are Sultans Of Mo-
rocco in the hamlet and the metropolis
They must be held in check and forced to
pay or to obey the laws. The fear of pun
ishment alone keeps a certain percenta ge
of men TO the mark of uprightness.