The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-03
0 TO CUBA,

The invasion Of Cuba is a main
topic just now in the public press.
While there are many editors who are
restless and complaining because our
troops are not moved to Cuba, there
IS a cautious, rejecting part of the
press that is awake to the dangers
from disease and from the Spanish
enemy, in embarking a nall army at
this time. The invasion of Cuba is no
small affair, a mere holiday junketing.
1t Is as serious as war. The smallest
estimate of Spanish strength is lao, 900.
Many other estimates place the number
at quite 200, 900. Suppose it is not more
han $50, 900. Is it safe to put 5000 or
$4,000 against that array? Who be
aieVes the Spaniards will not fight val
fantly? Is it proper and right to COM
pei our troops at the outset to fight
against such great odds.
Then again, most of our troops are
not properly drilled, disciplined, hard
ened to camp life, much less to a cam
paign in a hot country in a rainy sea-
son when sickness and death are put
ting in their surest work? The govern
ment is no doubt doing it's best to get
ready. When war was declared this
great country was in no condition
whatever for such IN arbitrament, for
arms and all other things were lacking.
Instead of the arSenals being filled with
modern guns and all necessary ammu-
milton, they were barren and empty.
FyJ-
were the old style guns of forty years
ago. Even clothing and blankets were
hacking, in a land too of such
as this. The government is hard at
work trying to raise an efficient army.
The point pressed is-Do not move un-
Til such an army is properly trained,
equipped and commanded for the fierce
ordeal ahead.
The conservative and ably edited
Philadelphia Record discussing the
eagerly pressed invasion a some jul
dicious reflections. 1t says:
Until the force required shall be in
esse there will be no justice in the
charge of delay brought aginst Our
military commanders and the execu-
tive; on the contrary, undue, precipi-
fancy IN their part would he criminal.
Twelve companies Of able-bodied men
whose military experience has been
confined to armOry drill and target
practice do not constitute a regiment
of soldiers, nor do aggregations of reg
fments thus recruited constitute an
army The artisans and clerks of
whom the volunteer regiment consist
may he splendid raw material for
troops; but they need to undergo the
hardening process which can he obtain
ed only on long marches, carrying a
load of fifty pounds of baggage. before
they can become soldiers whom it would
be safe to put through the hardships Of
an active campaign. How many militia
organizations ever trudged ven to a
state camp in heavy marching order?
The great mass of the volunteers will
nave to he practically made over so
TAR as their power Of endurance is con-
cerned."
Get ready before marching. The
present gathering of soldiers will not be
ready in some weeks If the army
regulations are faithfully observed, and
all the invading force is properly
equipped for a campaign in an enemy
country. The trouble is editors are
alike ignorant of war and war demands
and regulations. So they fire OF hot
words in censure, like incompetent pol
fticians in the congress many of whom
are carpet knights. The Record gives
some much needed information that
shows what equipment for a campaign
is necessary. and may not be disregard
ed with safety. Tt avs
I'm his respect it is doubtful if a
single state militia organization enter
ed the federal army we'll equipped. The
standard of equipments and supplies
for field service established by the war
6epartment requires forty-nine wagons
or IA pack animals, for each regiment
of cavalry, and twenty-five wagons for
each regiment of infantry for the car
uiage of tentage, reserve ammunition
and rations, and fodder for the lima
altogether amounting in We1ght 10
between 5000 and 1000 pounds per
avagon. Nearly 5000, 900 pounds of bag
gage and 1,4O0 wagons would be reauir-
ed for an army of $4,000 men. Suitable