Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-19


of preparation ! would hesitate In
making even rough estimate OF cost
1t is like asking the length OF string
1t depends. All l can say is that the
cost of war is enormous-the greatest
one item of cost known
The foregoing words were spoken by
General Joseph r. Hawley, United
States senator from Connecticut, when
asked to estimate the probable cost OF
a war between the United States ana
Spain, General Hawley was speaking
solely upon the financial side OF the
question; his opinion was asked on
this alone. The amount OF treasure
which would be eaten up in any KIND
OF conflict with any nation was the op-
iect aimed at. The reply was possibly
as accurate as could be made by any
man. General Hawley not only hnd
experience in the field as II soldier
during the greatest war the wofiu mus
ever known, but he has had years OF
study has become familiar with the
problems which confront govern
ment on the brink of armed conflict.
But conservative estimates of men
expert in such matters fix the cost OF
beginning war on the part Oh the
United States at S2000OD,0OO. The same
authorities estimate the cost OF main
tenance for six months at $500 ,oooVVo'
Few persons are so inflated with the
belief In the invincibility of these
United States as to give voice to the
opinion that war with Spain would
terminate in less than six months. on
this computation of time and money,
therefore, It would cost this govern.
ment $500 900, 900 to go to war and
keep II up for the shortest time any
one informed believes to be possible.
This is merely the first cost and does
not include the loss of life. the sorrow
OF thousands of homes and the result
ant cost OF pensions, etc, for the
widows of the dead and for the
MANNED whose injuries would be the
direct result Of the war.
FRIGHTFUL COST OF WAR.
The authorities drawn upon for the
foregoing estimates are men who are
conyersant with the requirements.
They know the detailed cost of ordn-
ance, commissary and quartermns-
ters stores, equipment and trans
portation. They know that all of
these things have fixed prices and
given the number of men to be en-
ployed could figure the cost of begin
ming and maintenance down to cents.
These same officers, heads of bureaus,
ETC.. fix the cost to Spain at about the
same figures. They declare that 1t
would cost tne uOn l,uuV,NVU,UVV ptstths
to begin war and 1900. 100000 to carry
II on for six months. AS II peseta IL
about 20 cents, 1t would be seen that
In his discussion of the subject Gen
eral Hawley mentioned the experience
of cost OF war Many other military
authorities base their ideas on the prac-
teal experience which that conflict af
forded the American people. 1t was a
lesson not only In the assembling OF men
and supplies, but in the best methods
TO be followed in raising great sums of
money for emergencies.
When President Lincoln called on
Congress for 100000 inen he also asked
for s400,00O 000 This was at the rate of
$1,000 for every man called into service.
His message to Congress stated also
that the sum asked was "less than one
twenty-third part of the money value
owned by men who seemed ready to
devote their whole" This gives another
percentage-one-twent -third-as ba-
sis of calculating what amount of the
wealth OF a country should be sum
moned to aid in It's defense.
Secretary Chase, then ut the head OF
the treasury. estimated 800, DOC, 900 as the
sum required to begin the war. This
proved to be short of the requirements.
The army appropriation bill passed by
the extra session of Congress after the
firing on Sumter carried <2OI ,O0o.nnn
The navy appropriation bill carriei,
UVV,uuu. lntst tStlIiidttr uBbl -
lions were made. II must be an
bered, with no conception of VIII he
war was to be, and with an 4 Iat
at most 1t would close six
months, The first estimates % ,r are
usually under rather than o. -. what
the cost proves to be.
With this experience at hand. some
general idea can be had OF the cost OF
going to war at the present time. The
circumstances are much different, and
yet this Is the only experience OF the
United States In modern warfare from
which lessons can be drawn. II any
thing, the elements of cost are greater
now than then. In n war with Spain
the conflict would he essentially differ
ent from that between tine North and
South in that Spain and the United
States would be fighting across an ocean
instead OF hand-to-hand In one coun-
try.
This would make It essentially n naval
warfare and n war on commerce. and to
that extent the elements of cost would
be different from land warfare. Blu,
with both countries having long linc~
land conflict, the elements of proviG,
for the cost of land warfare would he
hardly less that that of the marine
struggle. Prudence would also dictate
that the scale of preparations would
take into account the possibility. even
probability. of Spalns forming alliances
"'hh ittipp'hii P'NNiE ny WHICH Hfl
fighting strength on land and sea would
be largely augmented.
COST TO SPAIN
As to Spa first cost in going to war
with the United States It must be borne
In mind that Spain is now practically on
,. war footing. and has been since the
Cuban struggle became serious. The
war footing of Spain is 1880 men. and
this footing has been reached. IL not ex-
ceeded, In Cuba alone. The forces there
have hrctuated. but the cfficial figures
year ago gave l2l 1876 men in Cuba.
Adding the reserve force In Spain and
those In the Philippines and Puerto
Rico. the total is fully up to the war
footing of Spain. The same is true OF
Spain's navy. which is and has been on
a war footing, This, then would give
her the advantage of having her organ
ization OF war in actual operation,
whereas the United States would he
precipiated from state of peace into
one of war. Doubtless n war footing of
Spain capable of dealing with Cuba
would have to be very materially en-
larged in dealing with the United
States, but Mt least 1t would serve as n
nucleus-it would save that extraordin-
airy cost OF "A first start. Up to this time.
however. Spain has shown no need of a
war footing beyond that above given,
which, In detail. is as follows:
iniantry 80. -. ..'..... ......132O 900
Artillery ......... ... 80. 49, 10 1856
Enginpers ~ oo-