The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-14
The Hidden Terror .ratu.

First Secretary Root, then Lord Sails
bury, and now Senator Lodge. all piping to
the same tune of the hidden terror that is
about TO appear from somewhere and do
hideous mischief to somebody! What does
it all mean? The note of alarm sounded
by the British premier We can understand
well enough. Under modern military and
transport conditions it is beyond doubt
theoretically possible for force of
eighty thousand men, with the neces-
sary artillery, to be thrown across the
English Channel if that body of water
can be controlled in the interest of the in
vader for twenty four hours. In the pres
ent lack of any considerable military force
the peril of the United Kingdom is tan
gible IL not an imminent one. But how is
IT about the menaces to our own peace and
dignity to which Secretary Root and Sen
ator Lodge have SO pointedly and feelingly
referred?
Are We to take these gentlemen serious
ly? Have they knowledge of real dangers.
or is all this lingo business to be accepted
as part of the Administration plan to blind
the American people to its real determine
ton to surrender the Monroe Doctrine?
There is an apparent Inconsistency in the
prophecies Of two of the chief Spokesman
for MI. Mckinley when they declare that
before long we shall have to fight to main
tain historic policy which, at the same
moment, the Administration is doing all 1t
can to abandon through the agency of the
proposed Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. Let the
President withdraw that peridious agree
ment and rccede from any secret alliance
that may have been formed with one or
more of the foreign powers, and then
Americans will be more ready to believe
his prophets Of evil.
We are willing to admit that the gloomy
outlook presented in the speeches OF Mr..
Root at the Grant anniversary dinner ard
Dir. Lodge in the Senate en- Friday, may
be justified by facts within their knowl-
edge, but OF which the public is ignorant
1t is possible. also. that they may know
OF an sntention on the part of the Admins
tration to forego Its designs upon the Nom
roe Doctrine, to capitulate to national
opinion in the matter OF the canal. and 10
reafIirm the old policy. In that event Mr..
Mckinley cannot be too quick about show
ing his washed hand.
The country may not be well informed
1oses of possibly jealous States. 1t is
thoroughly so as to the dangers that would
surround US II the Monroe Doctrine were
10 be jettisoned in the ratification OF the ]
Hay -Pauncefote Treaty. Then the United ,,
States would have no right to complain IL |
Germany occupied and fortified the Danish |
West India islands, or established an i'm |
perial crown colony in Southern Brazil. |
The very existence of the proposed Hay |
Psuncefo:e agreement. as an Administra-
tion measure. has been notice to the word |
that the Monroe Doctrine is about to so |
by the board, II the executive power over |
the Senate is powerful enough to accom-
plish that feat.
The close synchronism OF the Salisbury
with the American Cabinet and senatorial
is interesting and perhaps sig
coincidence. Perhaps thou is a common
peril overhanging the alice Governments.
Possibly one Of those great world move
ments which occur at intervals and
change the course of or destroy civiliza-
lions may be in process of preparation.
Who knows but that when France crosses
he channel TO sack. London, the rest OF
Europe may seize the opportunity to jump
The Atlantic and drive US out OF Cuba and
Porto Rico,
Whether such contingencies be worthy of
or not, we are in complete
.grcement with Senator Lodge In his con-
ention for a strong navy and Its construc-
lon without any delay whatever: only. !