Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-05

7F one might Judge the future by the
past, the present war will termi-
nate with victory for the allies.
The war histories of the beiligerents
show that the allied countries possess
a firmly hxed habit of winning their
fights. Whether precedent will have
any weight in this war. which has al
ready smashed SO many precedents,
cannot be foretold. but 1t is an inter
esting fact that the best records for
successful warfare are held by the
allies.
The United States. for instance. has
never lost a war. The revolutionary
war. fought when the country was In
swaddling clothes and against
trained. experienced army, was su-
preme test of fighting force.
The war of 1872. in which this coun-
try engaged. when the number of its
states was only eighteen. was also an
exhibition of youthful prowess Vet
eran troops of England. some of them
members Of Wellington's forces. under
the leadership of able commanders. en-
gagged an American soldiery undisct-
plined in military tactics and com
manded by young officers. But the de-
Oliver H. Perry. the conquests of Win
field Scott at Chippewa and Lundys
Lane and the defense of New Orleans
by Gen. Andrew Jackson are events
that speak well for the military quality
of the American nation.
*
/ In 1916 began the Mexican war
which. with a succession of victorie:
leading up to a climax, gave thirt
success to the country. The capture OF
Mexico City in September. 1914. by Gen
Winfield Scott, with its defeat of Santa
Anna and his force of $4,000 Mexicans
brought to this country the whole o,
Texas, New Mexico and Upper Cali
fornia.
The civil war indicates the marke'
presence of a fighting spirit in Ameri
cans which may be quickly and forciol.
aroused when their ideals of right ar
attacked. The civil war period is 1
demonstration Of this nations abilit.
to continue to the bitter end with 1t
view Of the fact that the present wa
Is a defense of abstract truths, the ma
tional tenacity augurs well.
The Spanish war. initiated by tn
destruction of the Maine in the harbo
of Havana, lasted only from April
1898. to the early spring of 1899. We
in that time the late Admiral Dewe.
destroyed the Spanish fleet off Manil
pay, san Juan was Stormed and tn
fleet commanded by Admiral Cerver
was vanquished in Cuban waters, lead
ing to peace with Spain. Through tn
acquisition of the Philippine Islands
which passed to the United States ii
the peace terms. new war was as
| sumed. The natives. long in revol
against Spain. did not want to yiel
to the authority of the United States
The government was not willing t
grant independence. SO President Nc
quell the revolts. The work of tn,
officers of the army and navy and tn
men of the rank and file showed tn
caliber of the American fighting force
to be developed to a high standar,
of excellence
Such record for unbroken victor
is nothing short of remarkable Eng
fish history does not reward scrutin
in this way. though her greatest cam
paigns were successful for the mos
part.
AS with all European countries, Grea
Britain's history goes back so far into tn
| past that it Is impossible in a short spac
to trace her wars Beginning with tn
seven years war, fought Just prior to tn
war with the American colonies, a doubt
full victory was gained by the British
Though their continental forces sided wit
Prussia and were compelled to surrende
| Hanover to the French, yet Give drov
quered Canada During the reign c
George III a war with France and Spair
| by a successful termination, added greatl
! to the colonial empire.
In 1893 England declared war agains
France because her Sympathfes were anti