The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-23

4
war comes he VIII not be caught nappiue
{ The government has proceeded upon tn,
y principle which the managers or well or
dered banking establishments follow: The,
are always ready for panic, for runs upoi
their cash, for trouble, even when least ex.
pccted II they do not prepare for such con-
4 tlngencies they are remiss in their duty.
Perhaps the country Will be glad 10 know
that the administration has fully met all It's
responsibilities in this direction. President
Mckinley and his cabinet advisers do not
want war. and they do not expect war. But
they have known for a long time that the
| Cuban situation was full OF great possible
ties, and they have considered II their duty
to the country to be ready for whatever
| may happen.
II the worst comes The United States Will
be able to move In the field of naval and
| military operations with celebrity, a COM
plctencss of organization, an effectiveness,
which will be likely to make the struggle
short, sharp and decisive one.
| 1t Is not secret In Washington that this
government has for several months been
preparing for any disaster that mil GIT come.
1t is true that the navy of the United
States is now practically on a war footing.
Not only have our fighting ships been
equipped with ammunition and fully
manned but every possible preparation in
the way OF coaling and opening of lines of
communication has been made. Our naval
authorities know now. and have known for
months Just how cable communication may
be established to various parts of the West
lndies, just what 1t Will be necessary to do
In case certain cables are cut and to Just
what points dispatch boats must be sent.
They know. too. about coal supplies, dry
docks, Qualifications, guns, depth of water,
etc. throughout Spanish America.
In fact, the navy department and the war
department have together prepared COM
plete military campaign. Every detail ia
arranged. 1t Is known just what the fleets
are to do. just what the army is to do, ii
war is forced upon us, There is nothing
sensational, but on the other hand some
thing very reassuring In this fact. Every
American must be glad to know that If
war comes--and probably IL will not come
the United States will need to lose M
time In preiminaries. No precious days
will be wasted in preparing the plan OF
campaign, in deciding what is TO be done.
All that has been attended TO- The plan is
NulhpitNc peTltCt. EVERY SHIP, every
regiment every transport, vessel every
man will be sent to its or his proper place
the instant the word of command is given
by congress. War is highly improbable but
there Is comfort in the Knowledge that il
1t can not be escaped Uncle Sam is ready
to leap with accuracy and intelligence of
trained and experienced gladiator into the
arena.
The preparations made by our govern
mont involve not only the navy and the
regular army, but the militia forces OF the
country as we'll, 1t can not have escaped
the observation of readers of the Times
Herald that for some time the navy do
partment has been gradually concentrating
our fleets in Southern waters. Ships have
been ordered home from all parts of tho
world, even from the far Asiatic station
The Mediterranean station has been ahan-
doned. Every American vessel has been re-
called from that sea and is now this side
OF Gibraltar Straits. RI the directors of the
spanish navy have had any hopes of CATCH
ing American warships in the trap of the
Mediterranean. where they might be cap
tured or destroyed at leisure. they have
reckoned without their host This country
now has no warshps in the Mediterranean
No one in authority here is alarmed about
The situation, but II there should be a war
The militia OF the various States would play
IN important part in 1t. Months ago the