The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-12

"HE CABLE told us the other
day that Berlin was some
what exercised over a
prbphecy alleged to have
been made by Rear Admiral Taylor, to
the effect that the United states could
expect a naval war with Germany not
later than 1907. 1t brought fop moiG
than one German source the polite sug-
gestion that high officers in the Ameri-
can navy ought to be in better business
than suggesting possibilities of strife
when the aim of craftsmanship in both
countries is to cultivate amity and
good will.
OF course Berlin overestimated both
what Admiral Taylor really said and
its intrinsic Importance. 1t is no secret
that the studious observers of the trend
of international movements, especially
in naval circles, are agreed that there
is more likelihood of clash between
Germany and the United States at
some indefinite future time than be-
tween the United States and any other
foreign country. This does not impute
deliberate i'll will or overlook tenden-
cies toward peace; it simply takes into
account sequence of facts and drifts
which force that conclusion. Admiral
Taylor said no more than Admiral
Dewey once said and doubtless yet be-
lieves. Neither expects war, but both
foresee that unless we are prepared for
1t, war may come, and that the best
recipe for continued peace is naval
power so highly developed that neither
Germany nor any other foreign nation
will have any desire to court battle
test.
The New York Tribune's Washington
correspondent explains what was in
Admiral Taylor's mind when he made
to naval companions the remarks at
which Berlin SHES. "He is thoroughly
alive" that parsonage writes. "to the
steady set Of current which is carry
ing the United States and Germany
along converging lines in many parts
Of the globe, and bringing these two
nations into closer rivalry every
where" He recognizes, furthermore,
that by 1906 the German navy will have
reached a stage of formidable strength,
with its officers tugging at the chains
for a chance to try the new fighting
machines; that by that time, in all
probability, Germany will have abb
sorbed the Netherlands, thus introduce
ing contention over the Monroe doc
trine as affecting the Dutch West In
dies; that conditions in Cuba will like
ly be critical while other West Indian
islands, owing to economic causes, will
clamor for American annexation, to
avert bankruptcy; and that Germany's
colonial designs on South America, if
real, will call for decisive action before
the completion of the Panama canal.
And while he does not question the
wish Of the German emperor for peace
nor impugn the sincerity of his recent
friendly overtures, he cannot, as a
fighting man whose profession it is to
prepare against contingencies, shut his
eyes to the contrary possibilities.
But, of course, his prophecy Is specu-
lative. There is no i'll feeling in it. 1t
is akin to the frequent setting Of dates
when the world is to come to an end.
These millennial representations, many
Of them buttressed by plausible show
of argument, have each and all missed
fire, to the satisfaction of most of us;
and there Is the same chance with re-
gard to Admiral Taylor's forecast.
Our German cousins should not become
excited about it; they should strive. in
stead, to penetrate the mysteries of
American midsummer humor and to
learn that not every Yankee means
literally all that he says when in the
flood tide Of free speech.