New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-08
A MILITARY CRISIS.

Though the war Is happily over. these are
lively. not TO say perilous. times IN local mill
tary circles. A few days ago General COILS, 70
whose administration Of the Public Works De-
rartmcnt uncomplimentary references had just
been made by Mayor Van Wyck. sent brief
note 10 thar eminent pOtentate announcing mat
In case Of probable contingency he should seek
Lis remedy by the nearest possible course. The
ambiguity OF this message. which the Mayor
with unusual courtesy at once gave out TOT pup
Iica,ion. did not conceal its martial spirit ana
considerable apprehension mixed with an un-
holy Joy, was felt lest the General should en-
cage the Mayor I'm personal combat In the City
Hall Park. The tension had scarcely begun TO
hc relieved when It was suddenly revived ana
Increased by news Of another message delivered
TO the Mayor yesterday over the name Of Cen
c,nl Coils containing an explicit and unc1uivo-
cal declaration Of the atter's intention to inhict
severe and public chastiscment upon the former
in case he dictated any further unjust refec-
lions 10 the newspapers This looked Ike seri-
Gus business; but events moved rapidly. for
while the populace was still surging toward the
City Hall the Generals son, with filial prompt
ness. announced that this second ultimatum was
n forgery and the busy hum Of commerce again
this particular matter rests. though we hope no
pains will be spared to detect and punish the
forger who perpetrated q heartless and cruel
Jest
But an asIta:ing day was not destined to close
In peace No sooner had public anxiety for
one of our veterans been allayed when the
announcement was made that three more of
them were involved IN dangerous proceedings,
hoU form a o.
manded that Colonel Asa Bird Gardiner should
be removed from Office for dispensing with the
services of one Flood, relic Of the Civil War.
Additional interest. moreover, Is impaired to
Colonel Jeromes action by reason of the crcum-
stance that Colonel Gardiner is now understood
10 he on the verge Of asking the Grand Jury to
indct General Coils. and the General IL there
fore likely at any moment to take sides with
Colonel Jerome against Colonel Gardiner In be-
half of Corporal Flood Furthermore. the Com
mander-in- Chief of the National Guard of the
State Of York, considerable military fig
IRE at times, though ordinarily immersed in
civil pursuits. Is the individual to whom in his
capacity as Governor the application Of Colonel
Jerome respecting Colonel Gardiner has been
made IT Is indeed an extraordinary and omi-
rous condition Of affairs
One possibility or rellef occurs 10 ue III COiO-
mel Jerome, who seems 10 have appeared upon
the scene Of his own volition and for his own
personal diversion, should withdraw his de-
mand for Colonel Gardeners removal from the
office Of Dstrlct-Attorney the situation would
be considerably alevIated. IN that case the
Commander in Chief. the Corporal and one Of
the Colonies would instantly drop out Of view,
and IL is conceivable that the General and the
other Colonel would be in a measure tranquil
liZcd. II not notified. We earnestly recommend
this course to Colonel Jerome. 1t couldn't do
any harm and II might possibly do some good.