The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-27
FRIDAY. MAY q, 1898.
KEEP YOUR HEAD. MIR. PREsI
DENT.
TIMES BUILDING
TENTH AND BANK sIKEEiS'
pIfsIl AnND. VA.


We referred briefly yesterday TO
statement lord Wolsolcy. commander-in-
chief Of the English army has just made
in reference TO our war with Spain, but
the statement contains SO much food for
reflection that we produce it in full this
morning. lie said:
THE United States would make mis-
take I'm attempting To- invade Cuba with
volunteers who are not fully~driled and
disciplined. If that WAS done the Jniiei
States might expect heavy reversos when
those troops encountered the trained
spanish troops ON land. IL would DE "a
grave error TO underestimate the strength
Of the adversarics of the American
troops. j would regret TO see the Ameri-
cans even temporarily beaten, as all my
eympathies are with them
at Is fortunate for the United States
that this war is not with firs,-class
Power, for IL is evident that in such an
encounter they would be badly beaten
at the beginning though I believe the
Americans are able TO defeat any nation
On the long run.
Lord Wosley Is one OF the finest sol
diers living; he is our true and earnest
friend and what he says here is uttered
fn the sincerest hope that it operate for
one good rather than harm.
There are a set Of noisy, clamorous
newspapers that have been bounding
the President for a month or more I'm
the endeavor TO drive him into invading
Cuba at once. whether our preparations
Justify the immediate invasion or not.
u. a. cr "a
clamorous Of these. and for a week 1t
has been each day rchearsing the chief
events Of Napoleon's principal battles,
Illustrating the well-known facts with
view 10 impressing upon the President
the Importance Of prompt action in milf
tary affairs.
The Times has repeatedly said. and It
now repeats. that this IS a matter with
which the newspapers have nothing 10
do. and 1t hopes the President Will shut
his eyes and ears to them ana 80 ON
with this business according TO the die
tetes and suggestions Of common sense
and human experience. The New York
world knows no more Of the actual con-
6liion Of this case than we know. and
we know very little more than can be
sif,ed out Of sensational and exaggerated
statements made by such men as serve
the New York World with its pretended
news by which It is every day mislead-
ing the public and disseminating false
statements. The administration is i'm
position TO get the most reliable informa-
ton that Is TO be had. and II IS far
more capable OF judging when
The invasion should be made than
sensational editor. Lord Vols
ley Is right in saying the United
states would make grave error
to invade cuba with an undrilled ana
undisciplined army. Such body OF
men. however courageous the individual
soldiers may be. Is not TO be relied on
in the clash Of battle. Organization. DIS
cpline. and the habit Of obeylng orders
without a murmur, are absolutely es-
ecniial to the successful handling Of SOL
diers upon the field Of battle, ana these
are not 90 be had. except by patient
practice through considerable period OF
exercise. The administration IS right
therefore. TO move slowly. ana 70 post
pone the invasion Of Cuba until the
commanding officers OF each corps re-
por. that their men have been drilled
until they understand their duties. and
can be relied upon 10 move IN concert
under fire
General Miles course towards Mr..
Davis has made him a very unpopular
man IN the Southern States. put We
must be careful. nevertheless. that we DO
him 10 injustice. lie certainly served
shroughou, the war with credit as
soldier. and what We are most iaieresteI
ia now Is soldlefly qualifications IN tho
man who Is 70 command our armies.
within the past few days he mas made a
public statement which gives as better
opinion Of him than anything else we
have seen or heard Of about him put
together He said:
.With regard 10 the invasion Of Cuba.
have nothing 10 say, except that the
United States viii ia due time bring
Cuba under It's control by. judicious
methocs and without useless waste OF
life. The United States Is TOO great too
strong. aud too powerful 20 commit any
foolish ac, In connection with the pro-
posed invasion. As for myself, / have
only 10 say that no officer Is ut 20
command troops who, from any motive
whatever. would needicssly risk the life
OF a single soldies. either from disease
'Aor TIE bullets Of the enemy have never