The San Francisco call., 1898-04-02
Governor Budd Remarks That "California Will
 Be in Line"
Extra Activity Is Observable at the Lime Point Forti-
 ficatiOnS.
READY TO LEAD TROOPS.
General Shafter Will Personally In spect the Defensive Works at
 Ballast Point, San Diego.

Officers and enlisted men of the United States army, who have contend ed all along that war might be averted by diplomacy, now consider that the chances of peace are remote and that an armed collision is inevitable. Men of the army, as a rule, talk little of war, but the subject nevertheless Is one that causes them to profoundly reflect. If a conflict comes history will repeat | itself. Those who talk loudest and breathe fire and blood in public will be at home or some other safe retreat when the supreme test of battle comes. When peace is restored they will be in front again, claiming honors, emolu- | ments and offices in reward for loyalty displayed when the nation was in peril.
 In all this war talk Governor Budd remains calm and contemplative. He does not care to be quoted as express ing any opinion as to what he shall do when the crisis comes. He says dis tinctly, however, that California will be in line with her sister States ready to perform any duty required for the maintenance of national honor and dig nity. The Governor has observed the proceedings of the New York, Ohio and Iowa Legislatures in appropriating means to be employed in the event of war, but the observation has not caused him to consider the subject of calling an extra session of the California Leg islature He remarked yesterday: No State in the Union is in better condi- tion than California"
 The Governor is we'll informed con- corning the strength and efficiency of the National Guard of this State. He knows also the weak places in the or ganiZation of the State troops and has taken into account the probable ser vice which the troops would be called upon to perform in the case of a war between the United States and Spain. He is also well posted regarding the ability and experience of individual of ficers and has in his possession the names of men who have signif1ed a readiness to lend helping hand in the organization and discipline of troops.
 Eugene P. Murphy, who graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 1867 and subsequently, resigned from the army to engage in business, has rendered his services to the Secretary of War. He believes that a regiment of resolute young Irish Americans could be recruited readily at the Mis- sion.
 Colonel John S. Mosby has recently received many letters from men who rode and fought with him in Virginia. They are anxious that he should lead a mounted expedition in campaign in Cuba and express desire t, follow where he leads. Colonel MoSby has offered his services to the Government.
 Several army officers stationed at the Presidio have filed with the depart ment commander, General Shafter, ap- plication for transfers to enable them to serve at the front. It Is the com mon belief among army men that San Francisco in the event of war between the United States and Spain would be remote from the scenes of actual bat tie. The command of a volunteer regi- ment is a prize which many a young officer contemplates and hopes to gain. General Shafter kindly listens to all the applicants and takes the applications into consideration.
 eral Wilson. chief of the Engineer Corps of the United States army, has received quite a liberal allowance Tor carrying out the plans adopted by the board of Notifications for the defense of the har- Dor of San Francisco. While the strict est secrecy is enjoined upon the engi- neer officers of this division the fact transpires that two hundred mechanics and laborers have been engaged to work at Lime Point
 The artillerymen now occupying the barracks belonging to the engineers have been asked to find other quarters so that the force of workmen under the direction of the Engineer Corps may be housed. Tents may be sent over to Fort Baker for the soldiers of that gar rison.
 The extensive character of the work in contemplation at Lime Point leads to the belief that an allowance has been made from the recent appropria- tion of 50000,000 for the construction of a new line of works at that local- ity. Obviously the Government intends to prepare to meet ap side complica- tion growing out of a collision with Spain. When war begins no one can tell where it will end and how many parties may be brought into the strug- gle. Should European or South Amer ican sympathy be strong enough to give Spain allies San Francisco might become an object of attack
 General Shafter the department commander, has decided to personally inspect the harbor defenses of San Di- ego. Accompanied by Lieutenant John D. Miley. Fifth Artillery aid and en- gineer officer, he will leave the city to- morrow for Ballast Point Additional guns may be mounted at the San Di- ego notifications and more troops sent to that point. One battery of the Third Artillery constitutes the present garrison. Special orders directing the inspection of the Ballast Point works and San Diego barracks were issued from department headQuarters yester day.