The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-02-17
HE IS SLOW TO WRATH.
The President Is Patient, Long
Suffering and Cautious.
OUR GOVERNMENT READY FOR WAR
VIII Act Quickly When the Time Comes.
A Perfect Naval and Military Programme
Mapped Out-Can Capture Cuba In Ten
Days.

Mapped Out-Can Capture Cuba In Ten
Days.
WASHINGTON, Feb 17.-[Special. THE
letter written by Dupuy De LONE, the late
Spanish minister here, has been the sensa-
ton of the past week. Its echoes will be
heard for long time to come. Without
doubt the general effect of the letter and
of the long delay which ensued in getting
satisfactory expression from the Spanish
government has been to hasten some de-
cisiye steps on the part of this nation in
behalf of Cuba. In and out of congress
the feeling is becoming stronger and
stronger that the time has come for action.
Any aggressive movement made by the
president would be warmly supported in
congress without regard to party lines.
President Mckinley is VIGOROUSLY slow
To wrath. During the most irritating
hours of this Dnpuy De LONE episode he
was the coolest man in Washington. He
has never borne any resentment to the dip
lomat who insulted him. In this connec-
tion 1T is only proper to say that the con-
duct of the president through this matter
has been in consonance with his character
and record. He is patient long suffering
cautious, but when he does move he moves
quickly and with all the force at his COM
mand.
He Acts Quickly.
"I have known William Mckinley 90
years" said friend of mine from Can
ton, o., today. ~ have watched him
closely. He is the most patient man l
ever knew, but when he makes up his
mind the time for resentment or action
has come, he is a man to be feared. When
he moves, it is with lightninglike rapidity,
with terrible force. We had an example of
| that In the coal strike in our state when
Mr.. Mckinley was governor. For time
| he seemed to every one to be too slow, too
cautious. 1t took time to convince him
| that 1t was necessary to act. But when he
| did move, you will remember how quickly
he ordered the troops out, with what ener-
| gy he directed their operations and how
effectively and rapidly he suppressed the
mob spirit. Unless miss my guess Spain
| will wake up some fine morning and learn
| that President McKinley's patience has
| come to an end and that he Is on the move.
| When that hour comes, it will be no laugh
ing matter for Spain"
Readers of these dispatches will remem-
Der that said some time ago the United
States was ready for war. The truth Is
| that for several months this government
has been preparing for possible hostilities
with Spain. The preparations which we
have made do not necessarily signify that
the president and his advisers have thought
war inevitable. In fact, they have, on the
contrary, believed that peace would be pre-
served, mt least for some time to come. But
they have felt it their duty to prepare for
contingency which some accident or
change of the situation might bring on.
They have assumed that lack of prepared
-. asal
negligence on their part. The result Is
that if war comes the United States will
be ready for it.
Military Preparations.
Our preparations have extended to the
I army as well as the navy. Months ago
agents of the war department were sent
out to make careful inspection of the mi
litia in the various states. Each of these
agents made two reports, one for publica-
ton, one for the secret information Of the
authorities. The government knows now
just how many troops could be had from
each state, their state of discipline, their
equipments how long it would take them
to get aboard the cars, the ability of theiI
officers and all the other facts which were
needed to arrange thoroughly scientific
; military programme
The result of these inquiries has demon
strated that within five or six days, count
ing the regular army and the militia to-
| gether, this government could mass 100,
600 armed men at Key West. Within "a
, hours after the orders were issued 5,OOl
men would be at the seaports. They woult
, arrive at the rate of about 10, 600 day
during the next two days, and then at The
rate of 20, 900 or 80, 900 day till all were
j mobilized These would not be new re
cruits, but drilled, disciplined men, thor
: oughly equipped, ready to take the field a
! moments notice.
The government has also made elaborate
inquiries Into the question of transport
with which to convey part of this fore
to Cuba. 1t knows just where the ship
are and Just how long it would take to &c
them to Key West, to Tampa, to Charles
r ton, to Mobile, to New Orleans and othe
I places Of rendezvous.
The Programme Complete.
; violate no confidence, but speak by au
thority, when say this government has
: perfect naval and military programm
i, mapped out. 1t has been carefully arrapge
: by aid of the best military minds we hav
! at our command, and If war comes tn
United States will be able to move quick
ly and effectively.
/ do not pretend to know the details Q
: this programme, and II 1 did would no
: publish them. But do know that tn
J, plan is thoroughly modern and compre
J. hensiye. That it contemplates the strikin
of quick, hard blows and that within te
DAYS after declaration of war we shout
: without doubt be in possession of Havan
:. and other important Cuban seaports. Th
. plan has been largely arranged by Score
> tary Long and Assistant Secretary Roose
!. Welt of the navy department, assisted b
bureau chiefs and the president Of tn
t naval college at Newport, the last name
r having been ordered here for that purposs
8 General Miles was the chief representatiy
of the army at these conferences at the n
quest of Secretary Alger.
Our naval preparations are complete
The programme Is laid out so CAREFUL
that 1t Is already arranged Just what eac
u -l-<.--. a.. laLaax. "a non