Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-24
ON A WAR FOOTING
Military Forces Being Prepared for
Action.
NO MEASURE WILL Be NEGLECTED
important Developments Expected
in the Near Future.
BELIEF OF OFFICIALS

Important developments are looked fer in
the near future. There is no longer any at
tempt to conceal the fact that the military
forces of the United States are being put
a war footing for immediate action. The
preparations fer a state of war-ofensive
and defensive-are beng made on an elab-
crate scale. and no measure that will con-
tribute to the military strength of the
country has been neglected. The entire
available force of the army and navy has
been called into requisition, and every eff
fort is being Inasle to add to its efficiency
All the warships in condition for service
have been put in commission, and naval
vessels have been purchased from foreign
governments wherever possible.
The merchant marine has also been called
upon to supply vessels for service in the
auxiliary navy, and complete arrangements
have been made for the possible use in
naval operations of all the available YES
sells OF the revenue cutter service, light
house service, the coast survey and the
Ete-savfng establishments, IN addition to
which negotiations have been practically
closed for the immediate construction by
domestic ship builders OF a large fleet Of
torpedo boats and torpedo boat destroyers.
Orders have been issued for the completion
or all gunboats and torpedo boats Cow IN
der construction. as well as those in pro-
cess of repair.
Work ON Coast Defenses.
The army has kept pace with the navy in
Its preparations for the national defense.
work on the coast defenses has been
rushed. and the Notifications and the min
ing of harbors have been put in the best
possible form of efficiency. The artillery
branch of the army has been increased,
and batteries distributed among the forti-
fled points along the Atlantic and gulf
coasts. ARRANGEMENTS have also beep made
for the prompt mobilization of the entire
military strength including infantry and
cavalry. at points where they can be used
TO the best advantage in the execution of
the plar- of campaign decided upon in the
event of an outbreak of hostilties.
The employment of the National Guard
of the states and territories has also been
considered as probable contingency, and
arrangements have been already perfected
whereby the citizen soldiery can be utilized
for the national defense on short notice.
Plans for supplying them with arms. am
muntion and military stores generally
have been perfected, and nothing remains
To- be done to enable this branch of the
amy to go into active service at once. All
these arrangements have been very eXDen-
sive. and have absorbed the great portion OF
the emergency appropriation of sJ0OOO,OO3
SO promptly voted by Congress.
Belief in Omcial Circles.
The great and increasing activity of both
military departments of the government
indicates pretty clearly that national
crisis is imminent over the Cuban affair,
ard that the United States government has
practically determined upon a policy for
Its settlement that will probably entail the
exercise of force.
1t Is known that the President has con-
cluded that the time has come at last for
ending the present deplorable condition of
affairs in Cuba, but the exact details OF
his policy have not yet been fully dis
closed. 1t is generally believed In official
circles that the proposed plan involves the
armed Intervention of the United States
for the restoration of peace in Cuba-a
step that will certainly result in conflict
with Spain unless that government is dis
posed to peacefully concede the independ-
ence of Cuba, which is not regarded as at
all probable 1t is contended that no other
course is open to the United States for the
ameloration of existing conditions in Cuba.
Recognition of Independence.
According to an official verse1 in inter
national law, the existence of independence
Is a matter of fact which Is not affected
by its recognition or non-recognition by
another government. 1t can hardly be
maintained, said he. that the Cuban insur-
gents are independent, when. as fact,
they are hemmed in by Spanish troops and
have no intercourse with the outside world.
He admitted, however. that if the United
states should recognize the independence
o. Cuba, whether it a fact or not at
the time. such action would undoubtedly
serve to bring about that result in the flu
ture, but hardly then, in his opinion, with
cut the active assistance of the United
States. Under existing conditions Spain
would undoubtedly regard the simple act
OF recognition of Cuban independence as an
unfriendly act, practically equivalent to q
declaration OF war, and could scarcely be
expected to accept it submissively without
loss OF nonor and prestige among the ma
items Of the world.
FOrcibIc Intervention
The majority of the members of the dip
lomatic corps are incliEed to the belief that
the United States cannot forcibly intervene
in the affairs of the Spanish colony with
out making itself liable to the charge Of
having provoked Spain into a war in de-
Tense of its sovereign rights. 1t is said
thdt the President and the members of
his cabinet concede the correctness of this
conclusion. and consequently hesitate to
take the step indicated. On the other hand
IL Is asserted that they have concluded To
accept the fun responsibility for such a
course OF action on the ground that it is
the only possible method of solving the
Cuban problem.
Tour of Inspection.
Capt w. p Duval 9Th Artillery, military
aid to Secretary Alger, will leave the CITY
tonight for the south on tour of inspec-
ton The mission is regarded as an i'm
portant one. Capt. Duval has been director
OF artillery practice at the Fort Monroe
Va. school. and was very recently ordered
to Washington for special duty in the Sec
retarys office. His thorough acquaintance
with all branches of the artillery service
makes him especially competent to deter
mine the needs of the services and the inn
provements necessary to sea coast fortifi-
cations The officials decline to make pub
lie the itinerary of Capt. Duval's trip hut
II Is assumed that 1t will include many of
the cities and forts on the coast.
The officials of the ordnance bureau Of
the war Department have already deter
mined the manner in which the additional
si,ODiwo which has just been allotted to
That branch of the service out of the $50
cpOvp emergency fund, shall be expend ed
ASIDE from a few unfmportant items all the
money Will be used in the purchase of
rapid-fire guns and ammunition and car
rlages for the same. The department is
making an extraordinary effort TO secure
al the rapid-fire guns it possibly can for
the fortifications OH the coast and the addi-
ttcnal allotment made available will assist
very materially In that direction The
Maxim rapid-fire guns. about twenty or
more in number. which have been pur-
chased abroad, will be shipped to the United
states at the earliest practicable moment
and will be distributed to the poiats where
Rre test S-it