The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-29

is a Lieutenant in the United States
Navy on the war vessel "Ncw York, ;"
which is now at Santiago de Cuba.
Mr. Richardson has kindly given us
permission to publish it, and we know
it will be read with interest by all Of
our readers
t. s. f. S. New YoHk,
SANTIAGO DE CrBA, June u, 1898.
M Nw F"ther have written
you an account of The hombars!mcnt Of
Santiago. but the letter has not left
the ship. and will not leave until to-
morrow. While we are lying here
suffering from the monotony Of in
action, can pass the time in no more
pleasant way than giving you my
views on the situation
People may talk Of battles but fight
ing is easy compared to doing nothing.
Everybody is fractions and dscon-
tented. from the captains TO the lands
men. The ships are forced to remain
in practically the same position from
day to day, and the heat together with
the sultry weather causes one to feel
about half sick. However, Admiral
Sampson keeps in good spirit and he
said to-day: II had rather lose my
head than to let one Of Admiral Ger
vcra's ships escape The Navy
understands the difficulties that en-
cumber the army and we have no
complaint to make against it. 1t
seems thai Il great many people glory
in criticising .hc policy Of General
Miles. lie is tricl officer, and from
long experience and successful battles
thoroughly understands his business
and knows exactly what to do. On
paper the Spanish army in Cuba con-
sists of 10000 men, $4,000 of whom
are in good fighting trim. Then to
land our army in Cuba before it is
fully equipped and disciplined would
be serious mistake and would result
very likely in an inglorious defeat.
Whereas if we wait until we get 1O0,-
O00 soldiers ready, easy victory will
be assured. While it may seem hard
to wait the pc ,ple cannot complain Of
The delay and expense, because they
arc entirely to blame; some say the
arc at fault, but not so;
they represent the will of the people.
Then let our country profit by this
and have regular army large
enough for any emergency America
has grown and developed in every way
since the time of Washington. 5000
men may have been sufficient then,
but We must now keep pace with the
other nations and should have regu-
lar army of at least 100000 men.
Then to turn to the other and more
important branch of the service, the
navy. What shameful neglect do we
see? Will the American people remain
blind to the needs of our navy? Let
us hope not. If we had met first
class power our navy would certainly
have fallen far short Of the cxpecta-
tion Of the people Too much conf
dcncc is had in our navy. While there
arc brave officers and men in the SER
vice, patriotism cannot win battles
where forces are very uncvenly match
ed. There is no doubt that the
Americans would fight their ships to
the last conqucring equal forces, or
maybe superior forces, but with
first-class naval power our vessels
would have to disappear from the seas
for long time, and the Government
suffer many indignitics. In the end
we would win. but the war would be
long, for it takes at least Two years to
build battle ship and fit her properly.
Then let US be up and doing; profit by
the mistake of the past, and follow
the old rule:
'In time Of peace prepare for war.
the present war is going to be of great
value to this country. 1t will educate
the people. Naval officers will be
able to determine the practical value
of the types Of vessels and guns now
in use and make such improvements
and changes that are necessary in the
new ships that are to be built. There
are many defects already discovered.
The policy of our Government is
now on the eve of change. The
greatest problem that has ever con-
fronted us is now to be solved, that is
the annexation of territory. Up to
tho present time the territory in
America has been sufficient for our
necessities, but as we have grown in
wealth, population and commerce, it
is necessary to establish coaling sta