 |
| Gen. William Ludlow. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Thursday, June 2, 1898.
PORTO RICO IS TO BE INVADED.
Plans of
the War Department Officially Revealed.
LETTER
SENT TO CONGRESS.
Seventy
Thousand Men to Be Sent to Cuba Alone.
WASHINGTON, June 2.—For the first time since
the beginning of hostilities there appears to be something in the nature of an
official statement of the plan of campaign of the United States government.
This is contained in a letter of Secretary Alger to the speaker of the house,
transmitting certain recommendations and statements of General Ludlow which
disclosed the purpose of the war department to send 70,000 men to Cuba, 20,000
to start at once and the remainder just as soon as they can be made ready for
departure. Then there was an estimate for establishing electrical
communications in connection with the army, "in Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines,"
showing for the first time officially an implied intention on the part of the
government to land troops in Porto Rico.
Of course all these movements have been
anticipated by the press, but nevertheless a strong element of doubt existed,
and therefore the official statement of the government's purpose made even in
this indirect fashion created a profound sensation here. The three are to go
together—Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines—and pass into the military
occupation of the United States troops, inasmuch as the secretary says that the
second contingent of troops is to go forward as soon as they can be prepared.
A great deal of interest is attached to an
order that was made at the war department providing for the organization of the
75,000 additional volunteers called for. The order officially established the
statement heretofore made in these dispatches that a large proportion of the
new men are to be used to fill up the existing regiments of volunteers, which
are in most cases deficient in number. It is to be presumed from this order
that the volunteer regiments collected under the first call will be detailed
until they are filled up in this fashion so that the order has some bearing
upon the plan of campaign.
The war department received a dispatch from
General Brooke, in command of the forces in Chickamauga, setting at rest the
reports as to inadequate food and water supplies there.
END OF
THE WAR FEARED.
Spain's
Financial Crisis May Put a Stop to Hostilities.
WASHINGTON. June 2.—The statement from
Madrid, in what seemed to be almost semi-official form of the acuteness of the
financial stringency there and the plain intimation that the Bank of Spain, and
consequently Spain, were nearing the end of their financial resources, was
regarded at the state department as of more real significance than many of the
stories of battles on land and sea that have been coming over the cables for
the past few weeks.
The effect of this notice may be to hasten
the operations against Porto Rico, lest the prize slip from our grasp through a
sudden and unexpected termination of the war.
PAGE
TWO—EDITORIALS.
"On
to Cuba"—When Ready.
A little more than a month ago war was
declared against Spain, and Spanish rule is not yet broken in Cuba! Some
newspapers treat this as a fact burdened with reproach for the authorities at
Washington. They say an invading army would have encountered no opposition at
many landing places in Cuba a month ago, that Havana's defenses have been made
formidable during the time our war department has "done nothing."
They have called on the president to "act," to "emulate Dewey's
way of making war."
Of course, the way to make war is to make
war. But to do that requires readiness, and it is doubtful that any
country—excepting China in the late war with Japan—ever entered upon war in a
condition of greater unpreparedness than that of the United States in this
instance. Instead of criticism that nothing has been done, commendation is due that
so much has been accomplished.
When congress declared war the United States
army numbered less than 30,000 men and officers. These were quartered in
regiments and companies, thousands of miles apart. If it had been deemed wise
to put the entire regular army on Cuban soil as quickly as possible, weeks must
have been consumed in the movement. Transportation is not kept ready in the
United States to respond to war calls. The government has been diligent chartering
ships to carry its invading force, and at this time has not more than enough
transports to carry 30,000 men, with the equipment necessary to war service.
An invasion of Cuba promptly following the
declaration of war was impossible. The United States is not like the "armed
camps" of Europe. It requires time to get ready to fight. Time has been improved
by the enemy to strengthen his defenses, and threaten the invader's water line
of communication. To call out, equip and drill enough men to make invasion safe
and effective was a work the magnitude of which none realize who have not given
the matter thought. The national guard in few states is as well prepared for
service in the field as New York's. Yet of New York's volunteers from 15 to 20
per cent failed to pass the mustering in examination. Mobilization and drill
and equipping for army life and service required time.
The guard of some of the states is yet without
proper clothing for the service, and without arms even as serviceable as the
cast off Remingtons of the New York militia. Would the critics of the administration
invade Cuba with an army half shod, not uniformed, practically unarmed? Whose
fault is it that citizens called on short notice to assume the business of
soldiers, are not clothed in regulation suits, armed with a magazine rifle and
drilled in all the movements and duties of a soldier? Not the national
administration's, nor the state's, nor the individuals. All have been pursuing
the paths of peace. War is not their vocation, and congress has held
persistently that preparation for war in unnecessary till it comes.
Much has been done in a month toward
constructing an army, making soldiers of raw recruits, supplying them with
arms, organizing a commissariat, hospital stores, etc. Great progress has been
made. A state of readiness has been achieved in part. For this, and for
refusing to expose an undisciplined and ill-equipped mass of patriots to the
dangers of an invasion of Cuba, the authorities have proved themselves fit to
possess power, and equal to the responsibilities that are theirs.
◘
Any European country, even
though it is prejudiced in favor of Spain, must admit the magnanimity and
generosity which Admiral Dewey exercised at Manila. The effect of the fight in
Manila bay was to leave the city entirely at his mercy. Indeed he telegraphed
to the department at Washington, "I can take Manila at any time." He
was unwilling however, to precipitate conditions which he knew would follow the
capture. Such capture would have been the signal for the wildest demonstrations
on the part of the insurgents. They are only half civilized anyhow, many of
them, and they would have run amuck in the streets of Manila, looting,
butchering, torturing not only Spaniards, but other Europeans. If the admiral
had had troops enough to not only hold the Spaniards hut also the insurgents
themselves in check, he could have held Manila in an orderly way without any
attendant scenes of robbery and murder. But he did not; therefore he refrained.
Dewey showed himself not only a brilliant naval commander, but a humane man.
 |
| USS New York firing on shore batteries at Santiago de Cuba. |
THE SANTIAGO
CAMPAIGN.
ARMY TO CO-OPERATE
WITH THE NAVY VERY SOON.
Schley Was Simply Making a
Reconnaissance—Vessels to be Sunk in the Channel to Prevent the Escape of the
Spaniards if Cyclones Compel the Americans to Seek Shelter—Land Campaign to be
Pushed.
NEW YORK, June
2.—A special to The Tribune from Washington says: Commodore Schley's reconnaissance
before Santiago bay, as far as its results are known to the authorities here,
fully confirms the impression of General Miles and other military and naval
officials last week that from the moment Cervera's squadron entered the harbor
the co-operation of American land and sea forces would become imperatively
necessary in the conduct of an effective campaign against him, unless he
undertook to force his way out of the trap before he was surrounded and
overwhelmed. It is true that Commodore Schley's exchange of shots with the
shore batteries has demonstrated that they were weak affairs at best but it is
not believed that he would attempt to send his ships in single file up the narrow,
tortuous channel, perhaps thoroughly mined, in order to destroy the Spanish
cruisers, when that result may be readily accomplished with infinitely less
hazard.
Having
satisfied himself of the impotency of the land fortifications, it is considered
probable that he will now block the channel by sinking one or more worthless
hulks at the entrance. That he did not follow up the tremendous advantage he gained
in the utter demoralization of the Spanish land forces is taken as an indication
that he had this object ultimately in view, for the naval authorities had
informed him that vessels to be used as obstructions were already on the way to
him and should arrive in a day or two at the latest.
It is
hardly thought possible that Spaniards will venture on an aggressive movement,
but will rather remain at anchor in the upper harbor, trusting to the
scattering of Commodore Schley's vessels by the terrific hurricanes which are
to be anticipated on this season of the year. The knowledge of this danger will
probably hasten the placing of obstructions to navigation in the channel at Santiago
in order that the egress of the Spaniards may be completely blocked should the
American fleet be forced to seek shelter at Mole St. Nicholas, which is the
nearest harbor of any security.
The
approach of the cyclone season and the necessity for speedily relieving Commodore Schley of his vigil are of incalculable
importance in their effect on the military invasion, as it will be impossible
to land troops at the most convenient coast point in stormy weather. Whether
all the military force with which it is proposed to invest Santiago has left
Tampa or not, army officials at Washington declare frankly they do not know,
and with the rigid censorship now exercised at southern ports, which
effectually checks the dissemination of the desired information, it is
impossible to speak with certainty.
Secretary
Alger has admitted to the members of congress who control appropriations that
an immediate invasion had been ordered and that operations in Porto Rico would
promptly follow. The orders which were telegraphed to General Shafter last Sunday
have been divulged by the president to no one except Secretaries Alger and
Long, and Generals Miles and Corbin, and it is extremely unlikely that these
officials would abuse the confidence reposed in them. It is not necessary that
any other government officials should be informed of such affairs, as they are
charged only with sending supplies forward to Tampa, when their jurisdiction
and interest are supposed to end.
It is known
that most of the pioneer force, including siege gun trains, the engineer
detachment and a good sized force of cavalry and artillery, could have passed
beyond Key West by this time without anyone on shore having been the wiser. The
guns and engineer implements have been loaded on the transports for several
weeks and the men to handle them have not been near the general camps. Several
infantry and cavalry transports were ready for departure last Sunday and if
these vessels have not slipped away it is difficult to explain why they were
loaded so long ago. The Panther, with nearly 800 marines aboard under the
command of Lieut. Col. Huntington, has been under steam at Key West for fully
three weeks, and with this nucleus reinforced by Calixto Garcia's army of
insurgents, who have long controlled Santiago province, so formidable a force
would be assembled as to prevent any aggressive movement from the little body
of Spaniards hemmed up in Santiago City.
It is strongly intimated that the first
important news of the invading army will not come from Tampa or any other
American point, but from Santiago itself.
The army,
as well as the navy, has suddenly lost interest in Havana and
Philippine affairs, and even the alleged movements
of the Cadiz fleet has ceased to cause any apprehension. Interest at this time
is centered exclusively in the Santiago campaign, and confidence is general
that on its prompt and successful conclusion depends, more than anything else,
the future course and limitations of the war.
 |
| USS TERROR (BM-4). |
ON THE TERROR.
Interesting Letter From the
Brother of F. B. Nourse.
We are
permitted by Mr. F. B. Nourse to reprint a letter received a short time ago by
his father at Ithaca from his brother who is on the torpedo boat Terror in the
Cuban blockade. The letter is as follows:
CARDENAS,
CUBA, MAY 1, 1898.
U. S.
S. TERROR.
To Geo. F.
Nourse, Ithaca, N. Y.:
MY DEAR
FATHER—We arrived here just one week ago to-day and declared the blockade on.
At that time there was an English and a Norwegian steamer here. These were sent
to Key West, and their cargoes sold.
Last Sunday
we captured two schooners and Monday a Spanish passenger steamer with a part
cargo of bananas and other fruits and $70,000 in gold. These were sent to Key
West with prize crews on board, their own crews and passengers being sent
ashore here.
On Monday
night we overhauled a Norwegian steamer loaded with coal for Cardenas. This was sent to Key West.
About the
middle of the week we caught a big tramp steamer with a crew of forty-five men
and a general cargo from Liverpool for Havana. Yesterday we got two schooners.
This big tramp tried her best to get away but when her compass box and the man
at the wheel had been shot away she turned to.
Altogether
our prizes amount to about $700,000 including ship and cargoes. Besides the Terror the gunboat Machias and torpedo
boat Foote are also here.
The city lies
about twenty miles from where we are now and is all enclosed by keys and small
islands. The water is too shallow for us to go in. There are two gunboats and a
torpedo boat inside but they keep in where we cannot get at them. The Foote has
been in several times and has been fired on by the gunboats and also by the
fort but not injured. The other day we had a prize ship and no way of sending
the men ashore. The Foote went in and in about two hours came out towing two small
schooners.
During the
day we generally lay at anchor between the two islands on one of which is a
lighthouse which, by the way, has not showed a light for four days past. At
night we do patrol duty up and down the coast. The fleet is scattered all the
way around Cuba doing duty the same as we are, and nearly all are getting a
good lot of prizes. The Mangrove, a lighthouse tender, not as big as the
Frontenac, caught the Panama, a steamer of nearly 6,000 tons.
The
insurgents are quite lively about here from all reports. At night there are
always big fires on shore and sometimes in as many as four or five places from ten
to twenty miles apart. Now that we have shut off supplies coming by water the people
in the city are getting in a pretty bad way.
Meat cannot
be had at all and fish sells as high as $1 per pound.
We have
only had one mail since we have been here. I will send this as soon as possible
and shall have to send it without a stamp as there are none to be had here. We
have not had any men injured at all yet and all are in good health.
I shall try
to write as often as there is a mail, but that will be seldom. If you don't hear
from me you may be assured that everything is all right with me, for if I
should be injured at all you would be notified by the government.
Direct all
letters to Key West, as our mail comes from there.
Your loving
son,
RALPH.
While I
have been writing this the Foote has brought in an English tramp steamer with
coal for Havana. She will be sent to Key West.
BREVITIES.
—County
correspondence will be found on the third page to-day.
—New
display advertisements to-day are—Peck's Handy Grocery, page 5.
—Mr. Albert
Allen of Cortland, who is now the purchasing agent for the Manhattan Beach and
Oriental hotels at Manhattan Beach, has established his office at 192 Broadway,
New York City.
— Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr.
Frederic Lowman MacDowell of Cortland and Miss Katharine Hurlburt Starr, which
will occur on Wednesday evening, June 15, at 8:30 o'clock at the Church of the
Holy Trinity, Brooklyn.
—Mr. Wm.
Bell is this afternoon celebrating his 75th birthday anniversary at the home of
his son who lives on the O. U. Kellogg farm, 3 1/2 miles west of town. Among
the guests invited will be schoolmates and friends of Mr. Bell who were associated
with him in England.
—The New
York Herald notes the sudden death in that city on Monday, May 30, of Mr.
Lebbeus Edgerton of that city at the age of 60 years. Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton
were for several years residents of Cortland and are well remembered here. The
burial is at Carbondale, Pa.
—The house
and lot, 31 Clayton-ave., was this morning sold at mortgage foreclosure sale at
the courthouse by Judge S. S. Knox, attorney for the assignee of the mortgage.
It was bid off by Burnett E. Miller for $1,179.26, which amount just about
covered the mortgage and the costs of the foreclosure proceedings.
New Teachers Engaged.
The board
of education has engaged Miss Perle M. Skeele, who is now teaching at Glen
Ridge, N. J., to succeed Miss Williams, resigned, as teacher in the Central
school for the coming year.
Miss Anna
M. Sharpe, who is now teaching at Walden, N. Y., has been engaged as an
additional teacher to have charge of the new room to be fitted up in the third
story of the Central school building. Both young ladles are graduates of the
Normal, and have been very successful in their work.
TWO BICYCLES STOLEN.
Dr. F. W. Higgins and Charles S. Mead Looking for Ramblers.
Two Rambler
bicycles of the 1898 pattern, both having been used but a few weeks, were
stolen from racks on Main-st. at about 10 o'clock last evening. One belonged to
Dr. F. W. Higgins and its
number is 2,682, and the other belonged to Mr. Charles S. Mead and its number
is 3,950.
Dr. Higgins
rode up to the Wallace building a few minutes before 10 o'clock and left his
wheel standing in a rack in front of the store of McKinney & Doubleday,
while he stepped upstairs to his office. He was not gone fifteen minutes, and
when he returned the wheel was gone.
At just
about the time that he began looking for his wheel Mr. Mead came out of the
National bank across the street, where he had been busy for a short time, and
looked in vain for his wheel which he had left in a rack in front of the bank.
The two men
quickly ran across each other and exchanged their mutual sympathies in their
losses. The police were notified and kept a short lookout for the wheels all
night, and to-day have been watching for them, but so far no news has come in.
The gentlemen have each offered a reward of $5 for the recovery of the wheels
and have sent notices to the police authorities and wheel clubs in all neighboring
cities, but it is likely that the wheels are far away before this time. The thieves
knew good wheels when they saw them and took possession of them.
A report was
in circulation that Dr. and Mrs. W. J. Moore had lost their wheels, but such did
not prove to be the case. Their son Arthur saw the two wheels standing idle and
took the opportunity to borrow them to take a friend riding. They were returned
almost before the parents noticed their absence and got anxious over them.
All
wheelmen will no doubt do all in their power to watch out and help these two
unfortunates recover their wheels, for if thieving once begins and the thieves
are not quickly caught and brought to justice one may never know where the
lightning will strike next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment