Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-05-06
Invasion Of Cuba.

The invasion of Cuba by the troops OF
| the United States Is now believed to be
a matter Of a few days. The govern
ment has collected, in a very short time
considering the wide area W. which
they were distributed-its available
troops, those of the regular army, in
fantry, cavalry and artillery. Bodies of
men who a few days ago were far ont on
the plains and in the mountains and on
our northern frontier, some of them at
posts over a hundred miles from a rail-
road, have been concentrated at Chicka-
manga and Tampa, and are ready to
move to the actual seat of war. The
concentration of the army has been ef-
fected with a promptness and celebrity
which reflects credit OF the departments
of the service charged with the work.
The troops of the United States, as
they have moved through the country to
the points of concentration, have been
received with interest and enthusiasm.
The regular army is small, and many
Americans have never in their lives seen
a body OF regular troops as large as a
regiment at II time. To many Of the
people the sight of these United States
soldiers was a revelation. They had not
before formed an idea of the fine phys
ique of the picked men who compose the
army, of the simplicity of their sensible
uniform and equipment, of their dis
cipline and efficiency.
This army is soon to move. 1t has
been made ready with all the speed pos
sible, and when it starts for Cuba it will
move altogether. The government, for
the present, declines to inform the enc
my how many men and guns will be
transported to the Cuban coast and the
precise point of landing. 1t may be
taken for granted, however. that the
force will be sufficient for the work as
signed it. F..
The first army of invasion, composed
of regular troops of the army Of the
United States, will be Differed through
out by men who have studied their pro-
fession in the volunteer and regular
service of the United States and at the
military academy at West Point, prob
ably the best military school in the
world. A better trained body of officers
in the theory and practice of wal does
not exist. They will give an excellent
account of themselves.
When the army, whatever may be its
size, lands in Cuba 1t will accomplish It's
purpose-the occupation Of the country
and the defeat of any Spanish force
which may attempt resistance. For n
thing, it will show from the moment
the first shot is fired, its immense SUI
periority in the artillery arm. 1t will
infallibly go through anything or every
thing Spanish just as the regular and
volunteer forces of the United States
walked over everything between Vera
Cruz and the City of Mexico so odd
years ago.
Predictions might be ended here as
sufficient for the present, but n more
may be ventured. This regular army
will be reinforced shortly by u volunteer
army as large-no matter how large--as
the government may call for. In an
swer to the presidents call for 1875 900
men, 600, 900 responded, and there has
been much bitter disappointment be-
cause places in the ranks could not be
given all who are ready to 60. The pa
triotism of the American people and al
so their good sense, which teaches them
that 1t Is for their interest that tho war
will be q strong wal and a short war,