New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-27
ALARMISTS REBUKED AGAIN
NO EXTRAORDINARY WAR PREPARA-
TIONS ON FOOT


sATIoNAL RUMoRs PUBLIC JUDO
MENT SHOULD BE. SUSPENDED"
STILL THE ADMINIsTRA-
TONS wATcHwoRD
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.1
Washington, Feb. 26-Neither the Army nor
the Navy is making any greater or more hasty
preparation for than both these branches
have been doing for the last year. Both Secre-
tary Long and Secretary Alger have recently
gore so far to reterate to Congress certain
recommendations OF their last annual reports
for increasing the efficiency of the two arms OF
the service which they superintend. and this
action is admittedly taken because the state Of
"unpreparedness" Is rendered conspicuous by
current events. but The Tribune has the au-
thorty Of both these officials for broadly and
emphaticaliy denying the sensational beiliger-
ency attributed TO them by the frantic news
papers OF the penny awful type.
The situation is declared 10 be grave enough
to induce thoughtful and calm consideration OF
facts without recourse to displays OF brazen
fiction calculated groundessly to inname or
alarm the people. The fact that the Navy is
repairing ships. finishing guns. buying coal and
asking FOR appropriations is not truer to-day
than 1t last year and every year for GEN.
tury but it has been greediy seized upon and
magnfed as a positive indication Of unavoid-
able war.
MILITARY AND NAVAL ACTIVITY EX-
Planned.
That the present preparations are extraordi-
nary Is not true. Not Navy Yard is busy at
night buster In daylight than it has been
a dozen times In as many gears; not an addi-
tIonal ship has been commissioned in the last
two MOI. hs. the enlisted force has not In
creased one hundred men In three months. for
the reason that no increase is authorized. and
not an order departing from the ordinary rou-
tine has been issued to any Office
Last December General Miles rc.eated his ap-
PEAL to Congress for an increase In the artillery
showing that the coast defences and their ex-
pensive weapons would rapidly deteriorate with
out a generous increase OF arterymen as care
takers and that the guns would be useless un-
less sufficient force trained in their ma
nipulation, and at last Congress IS showing
disposition to recognize the arguments. Six
months will be consumed in making the pro-
posed recruits familiar with the intricate bat
teries Yesterday four companies Of the 14th
Infantry started for Alaska. but the sensational
lists decline TO chronicle the news. because this
important movement Of troops was not in their
direction.
Thir,y-two finished 6-nch and 5-inch rapid
fire guns were ordered the other day from
the Washington Foundry where they could not
be stored for lack of room on account of the ar
rival Of rough gun forgngs. False reports were
promptly circulated that they were for reserve
merchantmen subsidized by the Government. II
was known however. that merchantmen are not
apt TO be trusted with 6-inch rapid FIRE guns
when not a battleship cruiser in the Favy is
equipped with such modern weapons These are
magnificent rifles. just completed, require sub
stantial mounting and are worthy OF some pro-
lection. The largest rapid fire guns the Iowa
are finch and the best cruisers have 5-inch.
although the Atlanta and all ships will
soon have complete rapid fire batteries Of all
calibres. After the ships OF the Navy have the
most modern means Of quickly firing ammuni
ton the question of providing light armaments
for auxiaries will come up for consideration
THINGS LOOKING BETTER MR.. LONG SAYS
When Secretary Long became aware that all
sorts Of nnammabe rumors were being scat
tered broadcast he abandoned his proposed rest
Of few days. and after good nights sleep
appeared in control of the Navy Department
to-day. He said 10 The Tribune corre-
spondent that he thought things look
ing better to-day; he said that the pub
hension with regard to naval movements; that
so far these had mostly been ordinary disposi-
tions which are made from time to time For
instance the shipping Of guns to New-York Is
TO supply the Chicago and other vessels which
are under reconstruction and would go In any
event The gun factory at Washington is where
they are made, and they to various
points as occasion requires SO. too. the call for
more men is simply the revival Of the recon-
mendation in his annual report.
Public opinion should be suspended" was
Captain Sigsbee's first advice. and as up to this
evening no trustworthy Information had been
received on which opinion other than that Of ac
cdent could reasonably be grounded. the appeal
OF the captain Of the Maine. penned at the su
preme moment Of the catastrophe is the watch
word of the Administration. This. In part at
least explains Secretary Longs idea that things
are looking better.
In this expression he is understood TO refer TO
the declaration Of Sehor Du Bose, the
strength OF official information. that not a mine
or other submarine defence existed in Havana
Harbor. This assertion has carried conviction OF
its frankness to Army and Navy officers who are
charged with studying foreign military condl-
tons and It has been accepted by the principal
officials Of this Government az unquestonably
truthful. From the first II was inconceivable to
stra egists that mines could have been laid in
aide a harbor which commercial vessels habit
uallv entered when the natural impregnability
Of it's long narrow entrance. commanded by ex
tensve fortifcatlons. rendered submarine works
wholly superluous
CONFIDENCE IN TIE COURT OF INQUIRY.
The continuance of the Court Of Inquiry
whole week at Havana without making any
mort Of it's discoveries has also reassured those
highest in authority. The Court has undcubted-
lv not found sufficient evidence which TO
base a conclusive opinion as TO the cause OF the
disaster Knowing the extreme tension Of az
fairs and that a speedy report was essential.
there are the best Of reasons for the belief that
thev would give preliminary warning TO Sec
re,ary Long IL they were convinced Of an exter