The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-04-28
MAY CROSS THE ATLANTIC
Naval Officers Expect to Cross the
Ocean to Compel Spain to
Come to Terms.
NEW ARMY UNIFORM FOR THE TROPICS.
Forces Sent to Cuba WIN BE Clothed in In
ola Kharki-Rear Admiral sampson Has
Asked Permission to Shell Havana's
Forts-The Regular Army to BE In
creased TO 10000 Men.

WASHINGTON, April 90. - Startling
changes in the plan of campaign
against Spain may be made necessary
soon by developments expected any
day. After Havana falls and the island
is practically under the flag of this
country it may be necessary TO trans
fer the scene of operations to the other
side of the Atlantic. The United
States may have to go across the
ocean to compel Spain to come to
terms. Naval officers high in the
service make no secret of the fact
that they expect to fight across
the water. They point out that this
country is making quite too extern
sive preparations for war to be
fought on this side only. They say
that, if we did not expect to fight
Spain later on in her own territory, it
would not be necessary to put in com
mission the great number of auxiliary
vessels, or to secure at high prices the
big transports and tugs which the ad-
ministration is buying every day. The
fact that coal is to be contraband of
war is alone an explanation of why
Spain has planned to make the United
States fight her abroad. 1t is simply
COL LHiS COuntTy 10 do lldG
which Spain could not possibly do
to carry coal, provisions and supplies
5000 miles from her base of supplies
to wage war with.
Army Uniforms for the Tropics.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-In a few
days the quartermaster general will
receive the first lot of 10000 new uni
forms for the army on duty in the
tropics. They are made of material
entirely new on this side of the At
lantic. It is East India kharki. In
appearance it seems to be an ex-
tremely fine quality of canvas
of a dark brown hue; in fact,
just the color of n Colorado claro
cigar. 1t is very light in weight,
strong and flexible. 1t is used by
officers and men in the British army
on field service in Africa, Indian and
in Egypt. The coats are a trifie
shorter than those now worn in the
army. The uniforms for officers and
men are made alike. Except in Shout
der straps there is no distinction. A
soft campaign hat of the same color
goes with the uniforms. Our army
will look very businesslike in its new
clothes, while flannel underclothing
and wooden socks, with the broad
soled army shoe, will complete the
outfit of the Cuban American army.
All the troops will be supplied wit h
this outfit as fast as 1t can be made up.
Sampson Wants to lombard Havana
WASHINGTON, April 26.-Rear Admir-
al Sampson has asked permission to
shell Havana's forts and the navy de-
partment has the request under con-
sideration. A number of cipher dis
patches were received yesterday from
Sampson. The department has begun
to feel that it cannot maintain a
peaceful blockade much longer, and |
uneasiness is manifested on that &C
count. The challenges that come
from the forts at Havana, it is known,
cannot long be resisted by Sampson. |
1t stings his pride. as the department |
is aware, to allow the Spanish gunners |
to fire at his fleet without being at Iii |
erty to return it. The administration |
Is opposed to a bonn bardment until it |
must come, and then only as a defen- |
sive fight But no one here believes |
the bombardment can be much longer |
delayed.
To Increase Regular Army.
WASHINGTON, April 26-One effect |
If the declaration of war issued yes
,erday will be purely domestic. 1t
lad bearing on the action of con-
yress. What is known as the army |
reorganization bill has now passed the
house and senate. 1t provides for the |
Increase of the regular army from 81
100 to 10000 men, but this can only |
AXE place, according to the provisions,
after there has been a declaration of
var. AS result of the declaration
yesterday the president can and will |
IT once proceed to make the regular
.rmy $4,000 strong.