In spite of our sensational newspapers, which had done their best to
spread the "war scare," our country has acted in a thoroughly sensible
and praiseworthy manner in relation to the disaster of the _Maine_. The
best of our newspapers, moreover, had also shown a willingness to avoid
sensational news for the sake of encouraging peace. This shows that we
are a much less aggressive nation than we have hitherto been thought to
be.

In this connection it is worth while calling the attention of the
readers of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD to the immense influence that our
newspapers may exert at a time like this. If all of the papers had
behaved as disgracefully as some have done, we might now be really on
the verge of war.

In other words, it is of the highest importance to us as a nation, with
an absolutely free press, to have for journalists men and women who
possess not only ability, but character and discretion as well. So much
that was false was published in some of the papers that their reputation
for reliability has been entirely lost, and now no one pays very much
attention to what they say. They have certainly now a well-established
reputation as monumental liars, and this reputation will stick to them
for a long time to come.

* * * * *

In the minds of the public the question as to whether the _Maine_ was
blown up by accident or design seems to have reduced itself to the
question whether the harbor of Havana is fortified with subterranean
mines.