Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-19

moment when most OF the mischief
which Spain could do has been done.
that the President has finally yielded
to the advice of members of Congress
who are criticising the management of
Of the war. particularly the idleness
of the fleets in Cuban waters, which
have been cruising around with silent
guns while the Spaniards have been
extending and improving their de-
lenses. and has ordered the Key West
feet to attack the Notifications OF
Cuba
If the President had yielded to this
advice even as late as ten days ago,
when it was possible for a man to
land at almost any point on the Cuban
coast and make his way to the insur-
gent camps, the Spaniards would rot
have been able to prevent us sending
arms TO the insurgents as they did in
the case OF the transport Gussie, when
was compelled to return with ner
cargo of guns, ammunition and troops
to Key West because the Spanlards
had every point along the coast
guarded and she could not land.
Owing to the Presidents peaceful
blockade policy now the entire coast
is patroiled and whenever a boat ap-
pYoaches an unfo1tified spot it is met
by a shower OF buliers or a squadron
OF cavalry. From reliable sources it
is learned that during the last three
weeks Cen B.anco has had $4,000 or
SO, eco men at work strengthening his
fcrtifications and getting ready for an
attack. All of which could have been
prevented had the administration lis
tened to common sense advice at the
beginning and at once attacked and
invaded Cuba.
The country has been generous to the
administration Partisanship has re-
Trained from pointing out the situation.
Preparations which. might have been
made a month ago are only now under
way. Yet there is no expression of
harsh judgment Dewey was sent to
destroy the Philippine feet and no plan
was ready to complete the work if he
succeeded or TO rescue him if he failed.
1t has been about three weeks since
Dewey's victory and not a ship nor
regiment has been sent to his aid yet,
although it is we'll known he has not
sufficient force to occupy the place. The
only dangerous weapon CT Spain, her
home feet. lay at st. Vincent for weeks,
and our government was totally with
out means of finding out when or in
what direction it sailed What is a
military secret servive for. unless for
such controlling Emergencies? Mean
while Spain knew every movement Of
our vessels, which information should
not have been allowed to leak out.
The President would not have risked
any loss of public admiration if he had
early called about him the ablest mil
itary and naval organizers in the coun-
ty W Ii the frankly expressed inten-
ton Of relying upon their cdyice in the
conduct of the war.
Mr. Mckinley is rot, and has never
professed to be. qualified to deal with
affairs Of war. This is not reproach.
High skill in any part of the two great
war engine~-the army and the navy
is attained only through years of con-
slant professional training. Nor has
the President a trained man in his cab
met. He has not even man who has
acquired familiarity with military at
fairs in Congress. A cabinet meeting
on an acute war crisis would be 40
more valuable or impressive than
meeting of lawyers on a capital surgical
operation.
1t would not hurt the President or
the cabinet to admit what everybody
knows. The country is not foolish
enough to expect spontaneous military
hrlliancy to arise in body of men
whose minds have matured with no
thought of ever being called to such
duties.
If President Mckinley has strong
hand, his best way of proving the pres
ence of that necessary executive gift is
to firmly set aside all advisers who are
not practiced in military and naval or
ganization. The routine detail of the
departments is business enough for cab
met officers who were called originally
to deal with routine on peace basis
The President may be quietly pursuing
this course. If he is not. he would bet
ter begin before some blunder finds an
army in the wrong pace or great OPP
portunity lost.
Here is a pun that is going the rounds
in London: what are the United
States reasons for going to war;" An
swer: Maine and humane" Not so
IN,,rr i-1,