The record-union., 1898-06-23


troops Within week, even if it should
be necessary to construct entrench-
ments and abbattis every few miles, in
order to beat back the Spaniards.
With the beginning of the military
movement, the navy withdrew inshore
to pound away at the forts at the en-
trance, and to draw the Gordon Of war
ships SO closely around the mouth as to
make it impossible for Cervera's YES
sells to escape, even if they are disposed
to take the most desperate chances.
News has reached here that 1900
tons of coal is being loaded at VAL
$1S ton there, the purchase excited
great curiosity here, and it has been
suspected that it was being made on
Spanish account. If this should prove
known, it would seem to indicate a
purpose on the part of the Spanish ma
val commander Camara, to carry that
celebrated Cadiz fleet around in Pa
supply the fleet with COAL In this case
the object of attack probably would be
the west coast of the United States, in
stead of the Philippines, but after all
mere conjecture.
The European stories published this
morning of alliance among the Powers
against the United States, and of the
reported purpose of Germany to lease
the Philippines from Spain, are receiv-
ed here with amusement for it will
appear clearly from the place of origin
of these stories, Madrid, if not from
their substance, that they We're inspired
by a desperate wish on the part Of
Spain to involve US in trouble with
Germany.
The Secretary of the Navy to-day,
speaking to an Associated Press report
er of the general satisfaction that has
been expressed with the Navy Depart
ment said that in justice it should be
borne in mind that the navy is always
in a state of mobilization, although the
coming of the war had necessitated a
vast amount of special preparation and
a large increase of vessels and naval
forces.
The Secretary added: Il notice that
sometimes / get word of praise, and
sometimes Mr.. Roosevelt, who was my
assistant Secretary, and who certain
ly deserved it, as does his successor.
But let me tell you that there are men
entitled to special gratitude and rec
ognGtion who never will get half the
praise they deserve. These are the
chiefs of the various naval bureaus.
They have borne the real burden of
preparation. When war became immi-
nent they We're given large power, and
We're told they would be held respon-
sible for having the work in their bu-
reaus done properly and efficiently.
That work they discharged with the
utmost ability, efficiency, theroughness
and success. There has been no quess.
tion of supply of provisions, of coal, Of
ammunition and ordnance and muni-
tions of war, of clothing and food, of
details of officers and men, of hospital
stores and outfit, of the construction
and repair of ships and of steam engi-
neering supplies.
1T is one of the misfortunes of ev-
cry great era like this that many of
the men who do the work and bear
the burden are rarely mentioned, and
never get the credit which belongs to
them. If l can do anything to secure
these men just appreciation, I want to
do it. They are all experts and men
of experience in their various lines 1t
is pretty hard, too. for some of them,
who know that the glories of war are
won, not in bureaus, but at the front
in battle. They have sometimes plead
ed hard, and it was not easy for the
department to refuse their requests for
active service, or for them to accept
the necessity of remaining where they
are.
MORE TROOPS MOVING.