Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-24
PREPARATIONS MADE.
American Troops Could he Landed
i'm Cuba I'm Ten Days.
washington Evening Star, 23dl

| Wv dSlllHStOn EFenlnS Star, I'D
1t is said that preparations have been
made so that within ten days. or about
| mat time, $1,000 American troops can be
landed In cuba. According to reliable
| Information, nothing remains 10 be done
! out 10 issue orders for the movement or
| troops. 10 MAKE up the force new en-
llsImentS Will DE unnecessary but the
militia regiments will be mustered I'm
Just as they stand. The preparations for
this have been made. The matter OF
transportation, military stores, and all
that, has been provided for, and IT re-
mains only for orders TO be issued when
the occasion arises.
SPAIN CAN DECIDE.
IL now lies with Spain to decide whether
the troops are 10 be put in motion. Every
opportunity consistent with the dignity
ana honor OF this government will be
given Spain TO avoid the clash but the
general conclusion is that an end must
be put to the barbarity in Cuba: that the
famine ana devastation called war must
cease, or there VIII be real war. which
Is expected to be sharp, short. and de-
clsiVe. 1t is not the intention of the mill
tary authorities, it is said, to tolerate
such delay as Will render military opera
0npninU
or the rainy season.
Loops Of the telegraph companies have
been placed In the War Department. so
mat they can have free use of the wires
directly to any point in the United States
Where wires are strung, without the de-
lay or sending messages through the
main ofces. Every point where troops
are assembled, regular or militia can be
reached almost in an instant with perfecf |
secrecy.
INTERVENTION OF CHARITY"
The suggestion made last Friday that |
the President had in contemplation "an |
of charity" sending relief 10 |
the starving people OF the entire Island
OF Cuba, within the lines OF the insur-
gents, as well as within the fortified
towns controlled by Spain, is confirmed
by the intimatiOns the President has
since given men in Congress with whom !
he has discussed the situation. Dis
patches in morning papers announcing
this policy to-day miss the point i'm not
stating that the relief is proposed 10 be
sent TO all parts of the island and not
merely to the reconcentradOs
SERIOUSNESS OF PROPOSITION.
The seriousness of the proposition lies
n that. Relief is already being sent to
he reconcentrados with The assent OF
spain. The difficulty anticipated is I'm |
setting Spain to assent to the distribution !
# this relief outside the provinces where
he Spanish authorities are in control.
( is minated that the administration
S going TO persist in this plan, as A
ogical development of the inauguration
# the relief movement Charity. IL is
leld. cannot be restricted to the LOYAL
parish subjects, but must be extended
o the starving women and children. no
natter in what part OF the island they
anguish nor under what flag their
athers, brothers, or husbands serve
SOME DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. ,
There is some difference of opinion In
ongress as TO the wisdom Of this policy.
ONE men in both houses say that a more
irect Intervention would be better, and
/ present Il looks as il there might be
'me discussion over any proposition
commended by the President FOR an
preparation 10 carry out relief mea-
Tres. IL Is thought that Spain would he
ready 10 withdraw heT troops from l
lba as TO submit 10 this governments
nding food and clothing To any part OF I
e island within the insurgent lines. IL :
thought therefore, that IL this is done :
will have 10 be- done by force and
suit In direct armed Intervention IN the
ID. Ii is settled conviction that the I
ADMINISTRATION policy, whatever course |
detail it may take, will mean but one |
ing-the liberation OF Cuba: and the y
titude Of Spain leaves little hope that
ar can be averted Information among
e best-lnformed men in Congress is IN
at the military authorities all agree y
at war is almost certain. aud that the
operations that are made are with the o