The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-29

do this would require a considerable
land force, for Spain has 100000 men
ON that island OF course the United
States forces would have the fighting
Cubans aS allies, but il is not at all
certain that they could be used to any
advantage in pitched battles.
Then again what we did we would
have to do quickly We are now at
the end of March; soon the dry season
ends and the wet season begins. Ger
tainly it will set an by the time We can
land n large army in Cuba fully equip
ped for service. This means that we
would have to count upon large sick
list to start with and fearful mortality
among the sick. Between Spanish bull
let's and an unhealthy climate fearful
havoc would be wrought in our ranks.
1.-THE Spaniard on the other hand,
has already become acclimated and be-
sides he has Learned the topography Of
the country.
"That is why j say Il war with Spain
may not, after all, be any holiday ex-
cursion."
Rev. Leak (colored). says he's most
too old. but if necessary he too Will 20
to Cuba to battle for her independence.
'fCan YOU raise a negro company here
to go with your
''Oll, yes sir--,a big one"
"Would YOU let Jim Young join it,"
THAT / would and I'd put him right
i'm front of the battle, like David did
Ur;ah."
| ventured to express the hope that
the Parson would not have the same
ultimate purpose in view in placing Tire
King of the Manure Pile where there'd
be no doubt about his being killed, as the
King of Israel had in putting Uriali
| there.
In reply to this the Parson shook his
head and blandly smiled.
The naval reserves of North Carolina,
as well as of the other States, are now
ready for active service and are daily
expecting to be called out. The total
! number in the organization in the United
States is 4,44J. The ten single turret-
ed monitors which are to be used fot
barber defense at New York, PhiIadel-
phia and Boston are to be manned by
members of the reserves under the com
mand of officers detailed from the navy
and as soon as the vessels can he made
ready for service it is expected that the
reserves will he called out.
But not all the naval militia will be
| needed for this purpose. The Others
will he drafted into the navy and as
signed TO duty in some of the sea-going
| ships. in all probability to the lighthouse
| tenders or revenue cutters which have
| Just been ordered for war service. The
| decision to call out the naval reserves
| before there is n certainty of war rs
| made necessary by the inability of the
regular naval force to man all the vessels
now being put into commission.
The monitor Nantucket is now al
Southport, n. c., which she makes hci
base of operations. She will be manned
| by some of the go men of the North
| Carolina naval reserves, while Others
will be assigned to smaller steam craft
as soon as the latter can he prepared
| for their new service. The contracts
| for the building and other equipment fol
| the signal stations to be established al
| Oregon Inlet, Cape Lookout and Iapt
| Fear have not yet been awarded, as th'
| bids are not all in; but TINS work is tC
| be pushed with energy, and 1t Wlll no
| he long before this important branch
of the service will present another fine
| Opening" for the North Carolina lie
| serves.
| #
| 1t was reported here yesterday tina
| two Spanish spies had been arrested IL
| Wilmington. But this rumOr like so man!
others OF a like nature since the Maine
disaster proved to be without fOunda
| ton.
| The report came here in private LET
/ ter and was made in most positive
manner. The News and Observer a
once telegraphed to find out what trutl
there was i'll it, After careful investiga
| ton its Wilmington correspondents wired
'ECan trace the report of Spanish sple'
to no reliable source"
Thus persisted another of the lurl'
fakes Of u day of fakes and excitement
All of which proves that, at such times
it will not do to trust even what pur
ports to be well-founded rumor unless
you have it verified.