The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-30

\ TOT until the city Of New York
n was actually surrendered did
the people Of the middle West
and the far West become
startled into a really acute perception
OF the catastrophe that had fallen on
the whole country.
Though they were fiery with patri-
otism and anger, and though they
were giving not only lavishly but ex-
~travagantly of their wealth and men,
they were free, unconquered and I'M
touched. They had seen no invader.
With a suddenly freshened realization
OF the hugeness OF the country, they
had attained the conviction that there
was little danger that any foe pos
sibly could reach them from the At
lantlu.
They were willing to defend the
East with all that they had. They
were willing to toss to the air all their
roya! plans for the splendid future
that was all but built. They were the
real America, and they were willing
TO ruin themselves and die for Amer
lea. But the men Of Chicago were
a thousand miles from an enemy.
Three thousand miles separated the
men of the Pacific from the armed
enemies in New England.
So their customary life and their
business had continued. They con-
tnued to work and barter and plan.
The loss Of the industries of New Eng
land had made itself felt at once. but
there was an enormous land left. Even
the locking Of all the Atlantic and
Gl.f I. rfS with tho atfandan nj ca1a mi
ties could not wholly shatter Their
great web of trade.
Their commerce could go and enter
through their own ports unimpedeJ,
Tor happily in this crisis there was
no danger threatening from across the
Pacific, They needed not to fear that
they would be taken in the back.
Therefore. though the surrender Of
Boston had shaken them, IL had not
teri fed them. The great inland coun-
try clung TO the belief that the army
nd do something. During the
enemy's slow movement through Con-
hectIeut in the advance toward New
York, the people Of the West remained
INSPIRED by that hope. as men in past
age, stricken dumb by a darkened
heaven and a smoking mountain. still
chung TO the belief hat a kindly mir
ac!c would interpose to save them.
though the earth Of their market
Places was trembling under their feet.
That spiritual self-defence with
WhIyh men armor themselves against
inevitable fates had not given way un-
VI IN" Administration announced the
surrender OF the city Of New York and
us Two great forts, with the state
ment:
The PRESIDENT assumes full respon-
so1l.'v. After a careful examination
VI Inc situation in person, he issued
ordofS' as commander in chief of the
armed forces of the United States,
ha' the army in the field should offer
no OPPOSITION"
Then the West began to fear with a
great fear that It's Pacific coast was
nor '2fH after all. 1t thought, APP
palI'', mat an enemy so formidable
ana S1Doessful, confronting opposition
~ l"'''e, might succeed In breaking
'"e d%"i"nces Of the Panama Canal as
eas!!y as he had broken the defences
OF the Atlantic. :
bul me Panama Canal was being
ned The United States fleet, having
a''ed 10 prevent the hostile landing
On tho New England coast, had turned
AT ONO 20 defend the one vital spot
ma could protect even against
superior numbers. That was the Car
'no'a' "ntrance to the canal.
II !-""l there under forced draught.
~ sun. .s"d and destroyed a. inferior
.orce or c'ulsers and battleships that
u' 90 ny had stationed there for
BLOCK 100.
Aga It was mathematics. The foe,
!orc'. 10 assure himself against at
tack g. his transports of the New
nhP!1Hi coast, had held all his power
,u' S"'rs north Of the American fleet.
me "r'ker blockaders in the south,
a''ht .Ins OF superior range. ships Of
suh'i.' p"c5 and superior volume of
h+'' i', went down TO destruction
S'lA'' even the satisfaction Of biting
"at4 % they died.
80" he country that had been sick
WIN initiation because it's navy
"ou'o not fight, thanked Heaven that