The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-21
PERTAINING FOB EMERG ENCIEs
The Goverument Carrying Ont Itu Plans "a
Provide Tor the Nntisnal Deresoe.

WASHINGTON. Fob. 2O.-As told In TIL Sun
this morning. the military and naval branches
OF tho Federal Administration have been
making preparations for several months to
meet any emergency. Some OF these prepa-
rations have been recalled to public attention
since the Maine disaster. and great significance
has been given them by those who did not know.
or. IL they did know, had forgotten what had
been dono In the past. But enough preoau-
tions have been and are being taken to
justify tho assertion that II war should
come the United States will not be unprepared
and there need be no fear on the part OF the
patriotic public that the Government. however
much It desires TO maintain friendly relations
with all the world. is not doing its utmost to
provide for tho national defence.
When tho Navy Department issued orders for
the North Atlantic squadron TO resume in the
Gulf OF Mexico tho regular programme of win
ter exercises, which had been suspended for
three years on account Of Spanish quslms, little
significance was attached to the news.
There was nc great reason why the orders
should have been regarded as more significant
than any ordinary precautionary measure. 1t
can be stated on high authority that the Ad-
ministration, when It decided to send the squad
ron to tho Gulf. had no thought Of war with
Spain.
hVery oHOrb was OoinU "duO " pE0Veub buCu
o contingency. There is overy reason to believe
that Secretary Long hoped that the presence of
the big ships in southern waters would have
the effect of emphasizing that this Gov
eminent had no Interior purpose toward
Cuba and would relieve the strained situation
for which tho Cleveland Administration was
responsible. But It was in the minds Of those
who determine Elective policy that q crisis
might arise which would call for the presence
Of American warships in Cuba, and an easier
feeling prevailed In official circles after the
squadron had reached the Gulf.
Since then developments have shown that the
Administration did o wise thing in concen-
trating a strong feet within striking distance
Of Havana, and now there Is no denying that
Admiral Sicard's armorclads and cruisers
are being held subject to orders which
may be issued Immediately after the
report of the Maine Board of Inquiry is in pos.
session of the Navy Department. The depart
ment always keeps in touch with Its ships
throughout the world, but never 80 close since
the Gillian scare as at this time. 1t is true that
the armored cruiser Brooklyn has been noti-
fed within the past week to carry out tho
itinerary arranged last month. and she is
now on her way from st. Thomas, West Indies.
to La Guayra. Venezuela. But tho Brooklyn is
q fleet ship. and can make good time in getting
anywhere that emergency demands. The Gin
cinnati and the Castino are being held at Rio de
Janeiro. instead Of cruising around in moro
remotel South American waters. The San
Francisco. the Helena, and the Bancroft
are at Lisbon. and will probably be kept there
until there is some definite development in the
existing state of affairs. The Terror and the
Puritan are to remain in active service instead
OF going into reserve. 1t is admitted that they
will be sent to join Admiral Sicard in order that
the efficiency Of the North Atlantic squadron
may not be impaired by tho loss Of the Maine.
These things mean much or little. according
to the way they are considered. From its very
outset the present naval administration inaugu-
rated the policy Of keeping the service up to
the fullest state Of efficiency in all its
branches. without regard to the chance
of war. and the activity displayed
since and Immediately after President McKin-
10y entered the White House is consistent with
what is being done. Common sense will show
to everybody. however. that the Administration
is not blind to the seriousness Of international
affairs. and that 1t 10 doing in behalf OF tho coun-
try what any prudent man would do II he had
reason to fear an encounter with o dangerous
person with whom he was not on the best of
terms.
In the army there has been the same regard
for the protection of American interests. While
Col. Lamont was Secretary of War prepare.
lions for seaboard defenoes were actively
carried on, and they are being contin.
ued by Secretary Alser and the present
acting head of tho War Department. Mr..
Meiklejohn. The anticipated crisis over the
destruction Of the Maine has not caused any
greater activity in the military branch. 1t has
for months been putting the country into q
state OF defence, and greater effort could not BIO
made even II war were actually in sight.
1t will DO hard to make people understand
that the order telegraphed on Friday to the
Commanding Generals of all military depart
ments in which new sea coast Notifications have
been erected. to garrison these posts without
delay, was not due to tho possibility threatened
by the Maine disaster.
As a matter OF fact 1t was intended to send the
order by mail and not by telegraph. THE SUI re-
porter has absolute knowledge that the decision
to garrison the new Notifications was the result
of suggestion that damage was likely to M to
the valuable ordnance already mounted on some
of the new defences II adequate protection
were not given. At some OF these forts there
WAS not even a Waterman to look after
the big guns, which require the greatest
attention by experienced artillerists to keep
them In perfect condition. The exact meaning
of the orders was told THE SUN representative
tonight by one of the highest ~oficials. What
he says may be accepted as absolutely correct.
These orders to increase the force at forts
where modern guns have been mounted" no
said. "were given because the guns are OK.
tremely valuable and more mon are needed to
give them proper care. Those orders have not
been called forth by the events Of last week.
Preparations have been making for some time
to increase tho efficiency Of both our army and
navy, and those orders are part of that policy,
which was determined upon as much
as six months ago. They cannot DO
rightly ascribed to the disaster to the
Maine. But" no added. II may say
frankly that our preparations have not been
retarded by the fact that our relations with
Spain have been for some time strained, and
that recent. events have sharply emphasized the