The Portland daily press., 1873-11-20
Our Readiness for War

The New York Evening Mail in discussing
the question of our readiness for war, says that
our objective point would be Cuba, while Spain
would rely upon her navy. This naturally
causes US to look to the condition of our sea-
coast defences. The Notifications along our
entire coast, from the extreme north to the ex-
IRENE southwest, are at this time, as rule, in
good trim Tor may speedily be made SOY to en-
dure the shock of war. Ever since our own lit
tie unpleasantness work has been going on in
recoustructing, repairing and general strength
eniEg our coast defences, and upon a well di-
gested plan which has been the result of expe-
rience and study, Where these plans have not
been entirely carried out, the work is,neverthe-
less, in SO forward condition that everything
is in good shape for defence, except the actual
placing in position of ordnance and armament.
With our active navy yards, vast iron works
and extraordinary transportation facilities. the
supplying of this deficiency is only question
of very brief time. AS respects our plan of
coast defences, we quote from the New York
Herald concise description which covers the
point in few words:
The plan adopted, after several years of ex-
pertinent and study, and partly completed, has
earth and sand, thoroughly protected by traver-
SEES; also to modify and strengthen the old bar
bette batteries to the point of enabling them to
deliver and resist the gigantic projecties of
the present day; secondly, to substitute gun
carriages that protect the guns and gunners for
carriages that expose both above the parapets;
thirdly, to literally use heavy mortars; fourth
ly, to employ torpedOes in the defence of chan
mel ways; filthy, to use distractions and float
ing batteries to detan hostile vessels under the
fire Of our guns; and. lastly, to substitute for
existing ordnance the largest and most powerful
guns that can be made and used
Thus prepared to withstand SPANS assaults
at home, we are next ready to contemplate an
invasion of Cuba; which, we may safely as
sumo, would furnish vent for popular indig-
nation against Spain, aud sympathy for op-
pressed Cuba, and thus attract all the voun-
teers who could profitably be used in such d.
rection The condition of the business and
industrial interests of our country at this mo-
ment would give to many thousands of our
people feeling of leisure and inclination for
the work in hand, and at the South especially,
call for Cuban volunteers would be welcomed
and enthusiastically responded to. Moreover
these latter would supply us with the fittest
material for an invading army, upon obvious
grounds, the chief of which are that our South
ern people are Injured to the climate of Cuba,
and within easy reach of the objective point.
There could be no lack of competent leaders
and officers for the invading forces. Our own
war added to what West Point and Annapolis
have done) has embarrassed us with wealth in
the line of military and naval heroes, all of
whom would be prompt to avenge the insults
heaped upon the country by naughty SPAN.
Perhaps the most difficult problem connected
with the proposed invasion of Cuba would be
where and how to land our forces and also how
to furnish them with regular supplies when
once ON shore. These, however, are ques tions
OF practical detail which the government must
take upon themselves to answer 5,