The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-03-17

ever existed. Upon the reception OF the
news of the disaster to- the Maine very
natural wave II passionate Indignation
swept over tie country. The innate be
lief of all civilized peoples IN the lneradl-
tahle treaclaeTy of the SpanlaTds. which
has keea grounded and nuTtured by CEN
turies of faithIessneSs and barbara cruelty
in dealing with other peoples, rendered any
other conclusion difficult
Bat the administration, acting on the
fundamental principles Of our law, which
preSunes every man innocent until he
has, been convicted of a crime. strongly
upheld at first the accident theory. 1t
began the most active preparations for the
awful consequences OF the other alterna-
tive but sent a Board of Inquiry, com
posed of naval officers of high rank. to
Havana TO make an exhaustive inquiry
into all the circumstances attending the
catastrophe.
No definite step should lie taken until
the Board made It's findings known. 1t
was 10 be Grand jury of the American
people upon whose findings hung peace
or war. This places US IN the best pcs
sibe position before the public opinion of
the world with which we must Justify our
selves in any war upon Spain. Had we
followed our natural inclinations and BEGUN
a war Immediately upon receipt of the news
OF the daStardly blow struck at US. we
would have lett room for complaint that
IN our desire 10 possess Cuba we had
f.fe facts Now the whole world admits
or will admit when the Board reports,
that we have ample reason for the sever
est course toward Spain, and anything
that we may choose To do will be fully
Justified.
GETTING ~ SHAPE FoR WAR. i
While the Board has been pursuing its
Investigations the most energetic action is
being taken 10 put the country in shape
Il
long line of cpast from Portland, Me-. to
Galveston, Tex, II being pat IN excellent
shape TO effectively repel any assaults
from either single ships powerful fleets.
We seem To have built a suf1:eiency of
high power guns and mortars which have
been mounted. are being mounted in
forts that command the approaches to our
ports. These are reinforced by torpedoeS,
torpedo boats. submarine mines, and other
protective devices.
We have a number Of monitors in various
stages of modernization. hut all Of them
capable OF being very helpful in seacoast
defense. as even the oldest OF them. carry
ing nothing Lut + inch smooth bore guns,
- not an antagonist 10 be deSpised by a
modern battIeship. These are being got
ten into effective shape, and disposed of at
points where they can render the best serv-
ice
All the private works in the country.
capable OF making proiechles, powder
ceiycd contracts, and hurry up" orders.
The navy yards are working day and night
with three shifts Of men. extensive orders
have been gwen for coal. and 50 on through
ali branches Of needful preparation.
srATIoSING SHIPS.
The fighting vessels OF the Navy have
been placed ia the most advantageous
positions from which 10 strike or defend
A very heavy Geet has been assembled at
Key West. which Is but 81 miles from
Havana. Another hes of the Dry Tortu-
gas, where il can defend the Gulf coast or
attack tie southwest fanil Of Cuba.
Cruisers are stationed in all Ahc ap
prodches 10 Cuba through the straits of
the Antilles. To the northeast. east and
southeast and there are others farther
south, in the Caribbean Sea. Any YES
sels sent cut from Spain 10 Cuba can be
intercepted
Other vessels lie of New York. the
entrance to Delaware Bay, The entrance 10
Chesapeake Bay, Wilmington Charleston
and Savannah. ready To defend those
points, or Join the feet before Hauana, as
occasion requires
In addition TO this has come the nm
looked for intelligence that a blow is planned
on the other side 81 the world. The ships
on the Asiatic Station have been quietly
concentrated at Hong Kong, in easy strili-
ing distance oi The Philippine IsIa nds.
Inis Is a threat ,hat may wei make spain
shudder The Philippine Islands are al
most as valuable possessions as Cuba
They have about 9,0C0.G Geo people. and an
export trade of about SO GOG, COO annually
Spain has oppressed them. as she has
Cuba. and they have risen in rebellion.
winch has been giving her am immense
amount OF trouble. She has practiced the
same barbarities there as, ill Cuba
With the assistance of the strong feet
That we can send there there will be no
trouble IN their throwing off the Spanish
yoke One OF the latest pieces OF news is