Show DRIFTING TO A CLIMAX thin THE situa situation of affairs regarding samoa is rapidly passing beyond the stage in which words words words are all that appear and it is quite apparent that unless something occurs at once to change the prevailing drift of things we might possibly but not very likely have a severe and it might be prolonged war with germany it is unnecessary even if the disposition existed to enact the role of scaremonger bold patent facts and the logic of circumstances cum stances have apparently brought us to the verge of a crisis it is already stated in the east without reservation that if james G blaine held the place occupied by thomas F bayard the flat fiat would have gone forth weeks ago that as soon as it was known at the department of state that our flag had not only been insulted but torn down trailed in the dust and destroyed by german soldiery in the very presence of the men it was supposed to protect there would have been a demand for reparation both substantial and sentimental made upon bismarck and he would have been given only so much time as was necessary to draft the one and count out the other and get them here by the most direct route this is of course idle and serves no other useful purpose than to show in what direction and form public sentiment in this country is 18 crystal crystallizing izing it is more profitable to discuss what the present administration may be compelled to do than to speculate as to what may be the temper and nation of its successor it is such auch a state of things that causes us to look around and see how well we are equipped for a passage at arms with a first claw class power there would be one apparent advantage in our favor we would 1 i be mu much ch nearer the bone of conten tion than our opponent would be 0 B 1 nearer by miles or counting from our west coast miles nearly a third of the earths circuit and a distance requiring many weeks to cover while germany was making her way to the theatre of the conflict the united states could easily take possession of the samoan group take the germans there captive confiscate their property and thoroughly fortify f the shores that would be so much but suppose germany should not see fit to make samoa the battle ground instead of fighting where advantages would be so greatly against her suppose she was to send half a dozen power ful war ships to new york city half as many to new orleans and half as many to san francisco and lay them under tribute for more than those pacific islands are worth how would that be and what effectual means of resistance could be brought to bear against such a pro gramme the contemplation of such a proceeding ce with the awful fact before us that neither of those cities is fortified and must suffer great if not irreparable ruin before the german vessels could be bought or beaten off is unpleasant but it is one of those painful things against which it is worse than folly to shut our eyes through the activity and persist ence of secretary whitney aided largely but not adequately by congress we have the inception of what may become a powerful navy it is in powerful now as far as it goes but it is ia only an equipment of the fourth class while that of germany is in or near the first class ranking fifth in order aider in that grade and on the water mailed vessels powerful in st every department and ample in number would give our nucleus a more uphill up hill fight than they would have at samoa in the late telegraphic reports are a number of opinions from statesmen and journals regarding the situation the burden of which is that while it is serious war is not inevitable perhaps the most significant ant feature in connection with the whole matter is glands En disclaimer regarding responsibility jointly with the united states this gives color to the belief pro pre but not widely existent that there is a tacit if not a definite una standing ferstanding der between germany and great britain regarding the islands of the south pacific and makes the fact of increasing english investments in the sandwich islands take on a very significant aspect meantime the news will doubtless grow in interest from day to day and will be looked for with corresponding pax anxiety lety |