The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-26
vINDICATIoN OF PREPARATION.

1t is a fitting occasion to call attention to
the formation and progress of the expedi-
ton to take Santiago Before the declara-
ton of war the department began to con-
centrate the regular army at towns on the
Southern coast Many persons who know
nothing of the extensive preparations for
putting fully equipped army on board of
ships at once became impatient for an at
tack on Havana
At that time the gov eminent did not con-
troll the ships necessary to transport five
thousand men to any part Of Cuba. 1t had
ct the necessary siege trains and ammuni-
ton. It had to obtain clothing and rations.
All the minute preparations had to be made
for the landing of troops. The clamor of
few newspaper warriors made many people
impatient. Day after day they watched for
the sailing of the expedition, only to be dis
appointed. The army said the grumblers,
was being held back because of the fear of
"a phantom fleet of Cuban gunboats." The
military authorities were not influenced by
clamor but quietly and diligently contin-
ued the work of perfecting the details of
preparations for so great an undertaking.
When all was ready, when the war ships
arrived for escort the expedition set out.
General Miles knew that the army put on
board the ships was disciplined and
equipped. General Shafter, in direct COM
mand of the expedition, had the confidence
of the knowledge of full preparation. Adj
miral Sampson, instead of being impatient
for the arrival of the army. had spent days
in carefully accommodating the coast to dis
cover the available points for landing. The
landing of marines at Guantanamo bay, a
point forty miles east of Santiago, indi-
Gated to the Spanish leaders that it was to
be the landing place of the army and it's
base. While the Spaniards had been di-
verted to Guantanamo, Baiquiri, seventeen
miles from Santiago, had been selected for
the place of debarkment. BY bombarding
other coast points the attention of the en-
cmy was drawn from Baiquiri and the land
ing of the army and it's equipment was
made without real opposition. The weather
was favorable, but the most difficult task
of landing so large an army in the enemy S
country was accomplished with entire sue
cess The army was landed in good condi-
ton. and the point where it could have been
resisted most effectively has been passed.
1t is now closing in on the doomed city.
There have already been engagements in
which several valuable lives were lost and
there will be more fighting and greater loss
of life; but the great undertaking has thus
far been attended with degree of success
that may be said to be without parallel.
The officers in charge of the operations by
sea and land have displayed that high ca
pacity for war which entities them to the
confidence of the American people. An ag-
gressive war is always attended with loss,
but there is every reason to believe that
regiments will not be wasted by being
hurled upon well-defended Notifications.
Slaughter is not war unless it brings cor
responding results; it is a science when by
strategic and tactical superiority and mod
ern equipment the enemy is forced to capt.
uate.
| Thus far the policy of delay for prepara-
tons has been indicated. The kind
hearted method of making war at which
the New York World and even better pa
pers have rallied has been vindicated in the
saving of the lives of American soldiers and
in achieving, by careful preparation, great
success.