Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-26

Washington, May 20.-With every
disposition on the part of the execu-
tive to make the present war short,
sharp and decisive, it is beginning to
be realized that the short comings of
our military service are so many that
delays are inevitable and much work
will be Necessary to put the nation In
efficient fighting shape. Every day
brings forth some weak spot that has
to be strengthened, or some hidden de-
feet, such as the discovery at this late.
moment that every regular army of
fcer who has accepted a volunteer an
pointment would forfeit his commits
sion in the regulars and so become Ii
able to be let out Of service entirely
at the end Of the war. Few officers
cared to risk the future in that way
SO rush was made towards congress
to secure the necessary corrective leg
Islation. Again it has been found
that the equipment of the army, small
as it is in comparison with the great
army Of the rebellion, is sadly lacking.
Nearly month after the formal
declaration OF war the war department
has just purchased number of shell
ter tents and secured some hammocks
that experts say are essential in Cuba.
These preparations involve delay, so
that it is not remarkable that in spite
of the herculean efforts of the officers
of the army no positive start has yet
been made towards it's goal by the
hob -
this fact, rather than any unreadiness
on the part of the navy, that causes
the campaign to drag in it's inception,
for the navy department has an
nounced that it stood ready at any
moment to furnish conveys for the
transportation of troops, provided they
started for one point.
General Miles had an interview yes
terday with Captain CrowninshieId,
chief of the navigation bureau, and it
is surmised that this very subject was
under discussion. A rumor was afloat
that Miles with his staff was to leave
Washington last night for Tampa, but
this again proved to be premature.
To maintain an army of 100000 men
for six months will cost $4,000 600,
according to estimates prepared by
Paymaster General Stanton and the
leading officials are of the opinion that
hostilities may run along beyond this
period. The conviction is growing
on the part of some of the officers that
they must not reckon on any substan-
tial assistance from the Cuban rebels
in this campaign, and, moreover, must
meet the Spaniards in Cuba in their
strongest sphere, that Of the defensive
Work on the three monitors Maho-
pac, CannOnicus and Manhattan at
League Island has advanced so far that
the department expects to have them
nj service within week or two. These
monitors will be a valuable addition
to the coast defense ships.
The absence of official + ews of any
character from the fleets st tia Lavy
department gave the widest fiei for
speculation, and all sorts Of stories
were afoat as to the where ADouts CT
the vessels and the imninence CT an
engagement. The report from Madrid of
the bOmbardment of Santiago is re-
ceived with some credence, inasmIch
as it seemed to show that General
Greedy, chief signal officer, has set in
motion the machinery of the navy to
carry out his declared purpose Of cut
ting the cables that afford the last
connection between Havana and the
outside world and thus isolate Blanco.
1t is not believed that the lombard
ment amounted to anything more
than this.