Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-17
THE WAR OF 1912.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

Ninetynine years ago today, June IL,
1872, Congress passed a resolution declar-
ing war against Great Britain. Two days
later the declaration was signed by Presi-
dent Madison and the second war for
independence was formally begun. The
war was terminated by the ratification
of the treaty of Client, February II,
1915. although the treaty of peace &C
tually had been signed in the previous
December, before the most important
battle of the war had been fought at
New Orleans January s.
AT this particular time, when President
Taft is urging the negotiation of an all
comprehensive arbitration treaty with
Great Britain; when preparations have
been begun for the celebration in 1919
great English speaking peoples. and when
efforts are being made to bring the
United States and Canada into closer re-
lationship, 1t is interesting TO consider the
fact that the progress of civilization ana
the improvement of transportation and
communication facilities has been SO
great that in the light Of modern knowl-
edge the war of 1872 was abSurdiN foolish
and entirely unnecessary.
AS nearly century has elapsed since
the end of the war. and as the last sur
vivor of the American forces participant
ing in it, Hiram Cronk of New York, has
been in his grave for six years. it is per-
haps now safe 10 admit that the record
Of the struggle is not altogether glori-
Gus one for the United states.
Strange as il may seem 10 us. our
cousins of Canada have the impression
that the Yankees We're eNerlastnSiy
whipped in that war and that the whip
ping was administered by Canadians. In
the pageantry of the festival of the en-
pre now going on in London. the Ca
nadians decided to omit the picture of
the battle of Chateauguay because ii
might wound the feelings Of American
visitors to he thus reminded of their in
glorious defeat. As not one American
in ten thousand has ever heard of the
battle or the defeat. the action of the Ca
nadians is particularly generous.
\: x
AS a matter of fact, the United States
itary sc e.
American Ships although vic
Searched by British. w. The war
was caused by the unwillngness of Great
Britain to accord to her late colonies the
full rights OF a sovereign nation. The
boarding of American ships for the
search and seizure of American sailors
to be impressed into the service Of the
British navy under the doctrine once an
EngIishman always an Englishman, was
the immediate provocation for the war
The grievances of the young nation
were painted in lurid style 10 the voters
OF the country by clique of Young pol
iticjans desiring to gain control OF the
government among whom were Henry
Clay, John c. Calhoun and others of al
most equal ability. New England was
opposed to the agitation, resisted the
declaration of war and was lukewarm
during the struggle.
II there had been able under the At
lantic, or even such thing as swift
steamship. the war OF 1Sl2 never Wouh
have been begun. Before Clay ana MS
CORY young republicans mad mustered
sufficient strength to declare war the
British parliament already was discuss
ing the abandonment of the objection
able practices of which the Americans
complained II that fact had been known
in Washington the action taken by Con-
gress ninety-nine years ago today would
have been made impossible.
When the peace commissioners met In
Client in 1914 the Americans were willing
to accept peace on terms most advan-
tageous to Great Britain. The American
arms had been VIGOROUSLY unsuccessful
on land, and, although the naval victories
were most glorious. the wiser heads of
the Madison administration were ready
TO quit. The capital had been captured
and sacked. the public buildings burned
and the President forced to fee into the
The land forces had proved to
be most incapable. and there had been
after scandal in the army.
Therefore the American commissioners
were willing to sign a treaty Of peace
which said a great deal about the bound
ary between the United States and Can