The record-union., 1898-03-13
A STATE OF PREPARATION.

An old-time army officer speaks in the
San Francisco Bulletin" with sucn
calm wisdom and convincing force con-
corning the state of the country in the
matter of preparedness for war, that his
modest paper ought to be read and
pondered on by every citizen.
The article is strongly confirmatory
of the position taken by large body
of the press Of the United States dur
ing the past three or four years con-
corning coast Notifications. the strength
of the army and navy, and the enlarge
ment of those means and devices by
which attack and defense are best
worked out in case Of war But all
suggestion in these directions has been
met first by the plea in objection of
the need for retrenchment, and second
by the silly cry that all such advances
are dangerous to the rights of labor
and industry, and subversive of the
liberty of the individual More illog-
zeal and unreasonable objections
could not be made. since in a free gov
eminent the people themselves consti-
dute and are the source and spring of all
that makes and maintains government.
The officer referred TO declares that
the present situation proves that the
United States is not ready for war. and
that very considerable time must of
necessity elapse before it can be made
ready irs rpadinacc &c
ment comparable with that of Spain.
though it is true that in naval eo,1in-
ment we are her equal, if not her su-
perior.
The present excitement therefore
serves good purpose in bringing home
no us knowledge Of the actual condi-
rions Of the country relating to prepar-
edness for war, and readiness either 10
Geclare hostilities or to respond to an
assault from abroad This state ~
mnpreparedness is not due to want of
activity in the War or Naval Depart
ments, but TO lack OF money appropri
ated to carry forward those works h.
Eolutely necessary. We have not al
=
Client to even mount and equip the
guns We have with those modern appli-
anees needed and contemplated In ON
plans. In this connection, as single
instance of unpreparedness, he saws.
Any person who has been on board a
modern battleship must have realized
The completeness Of the means of com
f~ar h.
all the parts of the great, complex
lighting machine. A harbor thorough.
sy equipped for war, to attain its hest
results, should be manipulated in q
manner much the same as a battleshfn
Though wide apart the different ha+
0eries and range-finders, etc. Of bar-
Dor defense must be as comDlefelv
within the immediate direction OF ths
Tort commander as are those of a shin
VI course the guns already in place ca
he used for direct fire, and with n,rch
destructive effect. but the efficiency q,
which they are capable can he AZ,
FAMED only when the equipment is az
1t should be.
The short duration of modern wars
has conclusively shown thai a natGa-
which expects 10 acquit itself with non.
or must be prepared at the outbreak =,
q war TO use its war strength and ma.
derlal promptly. The nation that folIovs
the maxim Of not doing in time ~
peace what can be done in war tins
stands losing chance when the wa,
comes
All the nations of Europe. Including
Spain, are, in these respects. i'm n nucl
better state Of preparation for wa,
than We
There can be no successful denial o.
these propositions, nor can we oscar,
The force OF the apt Illustration giver
by this military authority. While ON,
navy would be abundantly able 10 TAX,
care OF the Spanish navy, We are no
an other respects prepared for war. Thi.
We think must now have been mad.
apparent to all the people. Our har
bors with rare exceptions have not beer
equipped as they must be, the force O.
artillerists is so smau as TO be ridieu
lous: we are so short of naval ammuni
zion and ammunition for heavy guns on
land as well. as TO place us il the mos
humiliating attitude. In case of
sudden declaration of hostilities W
xrould be compelled to reserve our fore