The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-05-04
A Good War to Forget

The 10th anniversary Of the declaration OF war
ON England in 1912 is close at hand. The nature ana
SIGNIFICANCE OF this conflict is suggested widely by
an amusing and illuminating article on present-day
English attitudes toward the War Of 1912 by Margaret
wilson in the Atlantic Monthly
Miss wilson well known as brilliant American
novelist recently married Englshman and has
gone to live in England. She was surprised one
morning to md an English expressing the
view that Americans had no use for naval vessels
that we are not q sea going nation
She mentioned the fact to her husband and asked
if Englshmen knew nothing Of the War OF 1917.
Even Miss Wilson'S husband thought the War OF 1872
began in 1776
This sent Miss Wilson to the library to get his
torv to prove there was War OF 1912. With Diff
Guilty she found one which gave the war three lines
she had to consult twenty wel-educated Englishmen
before she found one who could Identify the War
Of 1912.
When she referred to the burning OF Washington
one man thought she was accusing the British OF
burning George Washington: ct know we did burn
Joan of Arc But George Washington-that's bit
thickl"
The British have shown better sense on this matter
than we have The War Of 1872, Old Ironsdes not
withstanding, is fine war for Americans to forget.
In the first place, we were in the wrong over most
Of the diplomatic disputes which preceded the war
We tolerated even nursed along the abuses over
which we protested
In the second place, it was an unnecessary war:
The orders in council, which were the immediate
justification alleged by the United States in declaring
war were ordered repealed on June l6, 1872 We d-d
not declare war until June 80
In the third place. it a hunliliating and an
insignificant war Clay and the war hawks thought
they could bring England to her knees in short order
Clay declared Il trust that shall not be deemed
presumptuous when state that verify believe the
militia OF kentucky alone are competent to place
Montreal and upper Canada at our feet"
But ali the militia Of all the states proved quite
incapable OF getting any foothold in Canada. The
United States won but one considerable land en-
counter and that after the treaty Of Client had been
signed.
The naval engagements have stimulated much
patriotic prose and poetry but they were Insignificant,
even If compared to the battles between the coast
guard and the rum runners Of New Jersey and
Florida in 1881
The wping out Of the st. NIihel salient cost more
American lives and ammunition in single day than
we're demanded by the whole War OF 1872. The Battle
of Lake Erie required great bravery the Battle
of Jutland, but it was an encounter Of hlliputian
order.
In short, the war of 1912 was petty war, even
when compared to the Spanish American war.
Finally, the War Of 1912 promoted treason and
disloyalty. Massachusetts,, Rhode Island and Con-
necticut refused raise their quota of troops but
modified their militia against the federal govern
ment instead.
Most Of the provisions used by the British army
in Canada reasonably were shipped in by New York
and New England. Timothy. Pickering called con-
venton at Hartford to plan notification and secession
Let us not remind England of the unpleasantness
Of isl2vlsl5 -