The times., 1898-04-28
GUARDING THE GOLD.
Every Precautian Taken Against
Surprise in New York.

Surprise in Ncw York.
New York. April 27.-Now that it is
rumored there is some possibility that an
attempt Will be made on the part of the
Spaniards to lombard New York bankers
brokers and other citizens are wondering
what would be done in case an attack
was made upon the sub-treasury; what
arrangements have been made to protect
the building in which there are so many
millions of gold and silver coin.
No one need worry Months ago, when
war with Spain was first broached, when
the news of the murder of the sailors of
the Maine was first cabled to this city.
Gen. Miles formulated plans for the pro-
lection of New York and all that 1t con-
tains. And especial arrangements were
made to ward off any attack that might
be made on the riches in the vaults of the
sub-treasury.
The instant Spanish fleet appeared
anywhere near this port a guard Will be
formed and numerically and in every
other way this guard will be ample to
save the precious metal in the treasury ;
vaults. Every approach to the building
will be guarded in such Il manner that it
would not be possible for any army of
The main body of the soldiers will be
formed in a hollow square surrounding
the building, and covering the block
bounded by Wall, Nassau, William and
Pine Streets
But that is not ALL
The high buildings that are about the
Treasury building will be fine points of
vantage, and they will surely be brought
into use
Mon will ba CT n toned on many of them
and these men will be armed with those
great life destroyers-dynamite bombs.
Allowing that the Spaniards succeeded
in passing the guards, how long would
they exist under the horrible fire the
men stationed on the tops of buildings
would be able to pour into their ranks?
The Treasury building itself would al
| so be protected in a manner calculated
| to keep the Spaniards a a distance.
Cannon would be placed on the roof of
the building which is so constructed
! that it can properly accommodate at
least ten pieces. These could be pointed
| in any direction.
If you have noticed the top Of the Trea-
| sury building, you have seen that il is
| built like fort; that is. that the walls
are several feet above the roof. This
| was done so that in case an attack was
made on the building the men who were
|
| the bullets of the enemy.
| A any time, but especially now. any
| one who succeeded in getting inside the
| Treasury would make rather a rich haul.
There is more than $129 coo 600 In coin
within its vaults. Besides the coin. there
| are gold and silver bars and notes enough
to bring this balance up to more than
| $1e4 coo 600.
| Considering Spain's financial condition
it is not to be wondered at if she does
| contemplate an attack on the Treasury
1t would be a desperate undertaking, bur
Spain needs money.
A man prominent in military affairs
| said today:
II do not think an attack on the sub
| treasury building is at all likely, but il
one is made we will be ready for it. Al
sorts of preparations have been made foi
it, in fact, for. of course in times such
as these it would not do to take any
| chances.
with comparatively small number OF
| men we could defeat the whole of Spain
army. and navy. too, for that matter.
Gen. Miles and other officers, as l saw
published in your paper some time ago
made arrangements to protect the build
ing when war was first spoken of