What Conflict With Spain Actually Means.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2095, 19 April 1898, Page 2

What Conflict With Spain Actually Means.

STRENGTH OF THE. AMERICAN AND SPANISH NAVIES DULY COMPARED. Paris, February 1. The ‘ Herald’s ’ European edition publishes the following: Lieutenant Mario Rubio Munez spoke golden words in an article written for the Spanish ‘lllustrated El Mundo Naval,’ which the‘Herald’ reproduced. He says: ‘lt seems, it is, in our opinion, well to form comparative data with other navies as the best means of appreciating the relative value of - national forces.’ Wars are precipitated by ignorance. Had the people of France realised the preparedness of their enemies in 1870'they would probably not have shouted * A Berlin r so vociferously. The Northern States cried *On to Richmond,’ and it took four years to get there. Now it is just as well for the United States to face a Spanish crisis with its"eyes open. A war with Spain will not be a walkover, nor will it be ended in a month. The data given in the ‘ Herald ’ yesterday are very instructive. They show that Spain is also getting ready for a fight which the jingoes of both countries are doing th6 ; r best to hurry on. The table which Lieutenant Munez gives satisfies him as a naval expert that Spain is not as defenceless as some people imagine. A well-armed man will put up a good fight even under disadvantageous circumstances and though Spain mav be weaker at many points than the United States she also sees that on the other hand America too has a vulnerable side.

If, therefore, war does take place, both sides will suffer. American jingoes have decided that the United States should meddle in Spain’s domestic affairs, and Spanish jingoes have been egging on their Government by the very same • method that, their brothers in the United S ates have been using. Now, if the people decide to back up this senti ment, rightly or wrongly, it is as well that their eveg should be open to what they have to fight. Spain has a navy of which some vessels, according to one of her experts, _ ‘ are absolutely superior to other foreign antagonists/ ‘Eloquence of figures/ he says. ‘ should be sufficient to calm even the incredulous and pessimistic and close the mouths of those who so freely critfcise the resources of our country/ On the other hand American experts think that the United States navy is superior and that it would have an easy time of it with Spain This remains to be proved. What icertain is that if war does break out t few cities will be laid in ashes, and whether they be Cadiz or New York Barcelona oy Boston, the officer who does it will carry off the panache of glory.