The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-03-10
TIE SITUATION.


THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE presented
the matter clearly and correctly, imme-
diately upon the reception of the news
of the Maine disaster. Recognizing the
intense gravity of the situation, and the
patriotic duty of doing nothing to add
to the excitement of our people, until
the facts should develop beyond doubt,
we still pointed out the improbability
of that disaster having been the result
of an accident. We said at the time
that if it should prove to be an accident
the sooner that we and all other Nations
stopped building war-ships the better,
for it was simply unthinkable that we
should be spending hundreds OF millions
on naval machines that under the most
favorable conditions were liable to
destroy themselves, and nearly all the
ill-fated men On board.
The Administration did wisely in at
first giving strong support to the acct
dent theory. In the meanwhile effort
was made to put the country in the best
condition for war. Enough of the prep
arations made has come to the public
knowledge to give substantial confidence
as 10 the result should Spain be foolish
enough TO provoke hostilites. We
appear to have all our Atlantic and
Gulf ports pretty thoroughly protected
by high-power guns in battery, torpedoes,
submarine mines, and monitors. We
have two powerful fleets disposed off the
western tanks Of Cuba-one in a good
position TO threaten Havana, and at the
same time prevent any Spanish feet
from reaching our Atlantic seaboard.
The other lies off the southwest of
Cuba, threatening If, and at tie same
time guarding the Gulf coast. Other
powerful ships are placed in good
strategic positions in the Bahamas and
the Caribbean sea, so that the island is
entirely surrounded, and if hostilities
ensue it can be ompletely cut off from
communication with Spain. and every
port on it attacked simultaneously.
At the same time our feet on the
Asiatic Station has been concentrated
and placed in easy striking distance of
the Philippine Islands, where a blow
could be struck that would hurt Spain
immeasurably.
The gun, powder, and projectile works
Of the country are being pushed to their
utmost capacity, the navy-yards are
working night and day with all the
men they can employ, great contracts
have been made for coal and other sup
plies, our regular troops are moving
from the interior to the seaboard. with
noticeable trend toward the Southeast.
the Commanding General of the Depart
ment Of the Atlantic is now inspecting
the Florida posts, and there is a general
note Of readiness among the National
Guard Of the several States.
Out Of our total effective of $4,000
in the Regular Army, We could pos
sibly make movable column Of 10000
men. Jan. !, 1898, the National Guard
reported total of 113, 460 officers and
men present for duty, drilled, armed
and uniformed. This force could be
doubled by calling in men who have
served enlistments, and would be clad
to return to the ranks, if promised
active service. The Naval Reserve
Militia has 1871 men. This could be
readily quadrupled with frst-class ma
terlal inside of a week. Altogether,
the Government Las right at hand about
a quarter-ofa-million of men of the
best class in excellent shape for immedi-
ate service. In the event of war they
would be abundantly able to take care
OF matters until the Government could
get ready to utilize the exhaustless