The Record Union

An Object Lesson to Europe.

This war is a wonderful object lesson to European nations in many ways. But more than all it teaches them as nothing else can certain latent elements of American character. They knew that we were cool, calm and deliberate but that we possessed the old fashioned personal courage they doubted; many believed that individually the Spaniards were braver than we. The Merrimac affair, however, has probably convinced them of their error. They were amazed at the performance of the Oregon and the immunity that our fleets have enjoyed from all accidents, in spite of the strain to guns and machinery that the war vessels have been subjected to; and they were still wondering in what direction the world would be astonished next when the Carranza letter was taken from under the very nose of Senor Polo's tried Lieutenant in Montreal and transmitted to Washington. Now, if there is one thing that Russia, France, Austria, Germany and the Balkans pride themselves on it is their political spy system. Necessity has caused apparently the best detective talent in the world to be employed in it. It is doubtful if the Government police abroad ever heard of the United States secret service. We read a great deal about the intricate spy systems over there: the subject has been fascinatingly handled by novelists. The United States secret service is not romantic, neither is it extensively advertised: its members are peculiarly hard working, silent men. We can imagine, therefore, the astonishment of the European Chiefs of Police when they heard of the fine piece of detective work performed in Montreal. They will have to go far back in the records of their departments before they can find its equal. We believe that for real, Simon-pure press censorship the gentlemen who are at the head of the organization which is keeping the news of the army and navy movements from getting into circulation can give points to those monarchs of Europe the very continuance of whose reigns depends at times upon a complete suppression of news. Our press censorship is regarded in Europe as most extraordinary. People over there cannot comprehend how such an institution can suddenly develop such absolute power, especially in a republic. But in their utterances of wonder and praise they seem to forget that the only ones here who would send compromising dispatches are the thoughtless, the indiscreet or the traitorous. And these, fortunately, are in very small numbers. Hence, it is unfair to compare our humble press censorship to the elaborate system abroad. After all, it is the American spirit of patriotism that does the work that myriads of paid creatures of monarchy fail to accomplish.-New York Times.