The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-29
THE INTELLlGENCER.
WHEELING, APRIL 40, 1893.


Mas Nl ! iuE iot F2uGnccs u
Those who expected the war to be but
a question OF a few weeks are doomed to
disappointment. There never has been
a time when those in authority. either
nt Washington or in the army and navy,
believed that It would be a mere matter
Of going to Cuba and taking possession
within a few days and then debating
terms Of peace with Spain. There are
n great many things to be considered.
The government will not be Influenced
by impatient cries. but will proceed on
logical lines and with respect to the
conditions which prevail. The country
must make up its mind that now that
the war Is fnaugurated it must be pur-
sued to the end In a way that will make
sure the results that are to be accom-
pltshed What appears TO be delay Is
not intended to be unnecessary delay,
nor Is It unnecessary delay.
The Philadelphia Inquirer refers to
rome Of the cries OF "open up on Moro
Castle" Every days delay is a days
delay for SPAIN" "Timidity Is a crime"
&c, as absurd, and show a lack Of judg-
Inent ard consideration on the part Of
those who engage IN them. What the
Inquirer says Ii worth quoting in part:
We ehall go "oa to Havana" when the
time comes. Have patince and trust in
the President Every move on the
rhecker-board Of war will be made as
rapidly as possible. but we cannot sac
rifce the lives Of thousands OF our cltI-
zens soldiery for the mere sake Of pleas
Eng the unthinkdng and the impatient.
II u troops do not move upon the
Cuban capital tomorrow, next week or
even next month, there will be a good
. reason for the delay. The Spanish
troops have been slaughtered In Cuba,
not by the bullets OF the insurgents but
by the far more deadly attacks OF yell
low, fever and disease. It'would be sui
oida] to send a few thousand troops to
march to Havana When we take the
city.t It should be done by the power OF
overwhelming numbers in order that the
loss OF life may be as small as possible.
When we strike We must win Mt one
blow. Let us have patience. then, for
we are not ready to strike. First, our
grand army must be collected, trained
in camp life and to the h%ardshlps Of the
field, and prepare for the work ahead OF
them. This will take time.
These are things that should be con-
sidered. An army to be sent into Cuba
must be prepared for the hardships that
are to be endured and must have the
A-5.s +r,koS,- th,t q, ,a,o-e,-, rt Ill,
not be composed altogether of tried vet
erans, but for q great part of volunteers,
wto not only have had no experience in
sucha campaign as they will be obliged
10 face. but who are unacclimated. The
blockade Is complete and there Is no in
dication that a successful effort can be
made to break It. Provisions and other
supplies have been shut OF from the
Spanish troops IN Havana by our squad
ron and the insurgent forces ore keeping
them pretty well penned up. It may be
necessary to hold the blockade for some
time yet, until the rainy season is over.
perhaps.
In the meantime the starving people
in Cuba will be fed; the insurgents will
be furnished with supplies and ammuni-
tion, and everything made ready for the
sending OF an overwhelming number Of
American troops to the island. The
President has everything we'll In hand
and is acting on the information and ad-
vice of those uho are tn touch with the
situation and familiar with the condi-
tions In Cuba. II Spain's feet comes to
attempt to force tho blockade, It will be
at complete disadvantage. The artI-
Gle above quoted also Gays:
The best way to make haste come
dimes Is to move slowly. Let criticisms
cease, then, and let nll patriotic Ameri-
Gang put entire confidence in; the Presi-
dent and the leaders.
This Is good advice. 1t is no time for
criticism until It is warranted. At pres
ent It is entirely u~nwarranted. The war
which, has been entered upon is a seri-
GUS one. Those who thought it was to
be nothing more than a little exercise
Cor the army and navy, will ind that It
means a great deal more than that.
Every element in the situation is evil
IDENTIFY being taken into nccount at
Washington. The men at the head Of
affairs are better posted on these things
than the readers OF sensational yellow
Journals.