Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-04-28
MAY CROSS THE ATLANTIC
Naval Officers Expect to Cross the
Ocean to Compel Spain to
Come to Terms.
NEW ARMY UNIFORM FOR THE TROPICS.
Forces Sent to Cuba VIII BE Clothed In In
dia Khsrki-Rear Admiral Sampson Has
Asked Permission to Shell Hsvana's
Forts-The Regular Army to- BE In
creased TO 10000 Men.

WASHINGTON, April %. Startling
changes in the plan of campaign
against Spain may be made necessary
soon by developments expected any
day. After Havana falls and the island
is practically under the flag of this
country it may be necessary TO trans
fer the scene of operations to the other
side of the Atlantic The United
States may have to go across the
ocean to compel Spain to come to
terms. Naval officers high in sthe
service make no secret of the fact
that they expect to fight across
the water. They point out that this
country is making quite too extern
sive preparations for a war to be
fought on this side only. They say
that, if we did not expect to fight
Spain later on in her own territory, it
would not be necessary to put in COM
mission the great number of auxiliary
vessels, or to secure at high prices the
big transports and tugs which the ad-
ministration is buying every day. The
fact that coal is to be contraband of
war is alone an explanation of why
Spain has planned to make the United
States fight her abroad. 1t is simply
compelling this country to do shat
which Spain could not possibly do
to carry coal, provisions and supplies
5000 miles from her base of supplies
to wage war with.
Army Uniforms for the Tropics.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-In few
days the quartermaster general will
receive the first lot of 10000 new uni
forms for the army on duty in the
tropics They are made Of 4 material
entirely new on this side OF the At
1antic. 1t is East India kharl1i In
appearance 1t seems to be. an ex-
tremely fine quality OF canvas
of a dark brown hue; IN fact,
just the color of n Colorado claro
cigar. 1t is very light in weight,
strong and flexible. 1t is used by
officers and men in the British army
on field service in Africa. Indian and
in Egypt. The coats are trifie
shorter than those now worn in the
army. The uniforms for Officers and
men are made alike. Except in shoul-
der straps there is no distinction. A
soft campaign hat OF the. same color
goes with the uniforms. Our army
will look very businesslike ia its new
clothes, while flannel underclothing
and wooden socks, with the broad
soled army shoe, viii complote the
outfit of the Cuban American army.
All the troops will be supplied with
this outfit as fast as 1t can be made up.
sampson Wants tn Bounbard S8avfna-
WASHINGTON. April 27.-Rear Admir-
al Sampson has asked permission to
shell Havana's forts and the navy de-
partment has the request under con-
sideration. A number OF cipher dis
patches were received yesterday from
Sampson. The department. has begun
to feel that it cannot maintain a
peaceful blockade much longer, and
uneasiness is manifested on that ac-
count. The challenges that come
| from the forts at Havana, it is known,
cannot long be iIresisted by Sampson.
| 1t stings his pride, as the department
is aware, to allow the:Spanish gunners
to fire at his fleet without being at lib
erty to return it. The administration
| is opposed to bonn bard;nent until it
must come, and then only as defen-
| sive fight. But no one here believes
the bombardment can be much longer
| delayed.
To Increase Regular ArmyS
WASHINGTON. April 27.-One effect
of the declaration of war issued yes
terday will be purely domestic. It
! had a bearing on the action of con-
| eress. What is known as the army
| reorganization bill has now passed the
house and senate. 1t provides fer the
increase of the regular army from 27,-
600 to 10000 men, but this can only
I take place, according to the provisions
after there has been a declaration of
war. As a result of the declaration
| yesterday the president can and will
at once proceed to make the regular
army GO, 900 strong.