The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-06
world now built or to be constructed can
get in without pilOt
SECRETARY LONG AGAIN.
Semi-Oficial Declaration that Uncle
Sam Is Preparing for War.

CHICAGO, March 5.-A Washington dis
patch to the Times-Herald says: 1t is
an interesting coincidence that on the first
anniversary of the Inauguration of Presi-
dent Mckinley a semi-official declaration of
the possibility of war with Spain should be
made by member of the administration.
Such declaration was made to-day by Sec
rotary Long, of the Navy Department who
said for publication ut is only fair to say
that while the United States is not seeking
war, and is hoping to avert war, the gov
eminent is nevertheless energetically pre-
pairing for anything that may happen"
This statement contains no news. 1t SIM
ply voices a truth which has been made
known to the country by the newspapers.
Some newspapers have sought to convey
this information to the public in manner
hysterical and alarming, while others have
endeavored to present it with dignity and
composure. But as to the fact there has
never been any doubt, and the news tele-
graphed weeks ago that the government
of the United States was actively and sys-
tematically preparing for a possible war
with Spain now has official confirmation.
Secretary Longs statement was not made
idly or without method and purpose. There
are two questions at issue, or soon will be,
between Spain and the United States:
First-Will Spain promptly and properly
meet her responsibility for the destruction
of the Maine in case the verdict of our
court of inquiry fixes responsibility upon
her?
Second-Will Spain accept our interven-
ton for the purpose of restoring order in
Cuba, submitting the matter to negotiation,
These are the problems upon whose solu-
ton hangs the issue OF war or peace. The
statement made by Secretary Long was in,
tended to be heard in Madrid and it will
doubtless be published in all the leading
Spanish newspapers tomorrow morning.
1t is the answer of the United States to the
dispatches from England that Spain has
just bought two cruisers built for Brazil
by the Armstrong;. 1t is considered high
ly desirable Spanish statesmen should fully
realize that if they have any thought of
going to war with the United States they
must be prepared to meet a nation that is
thoroughly ready for war; Our active prep
arations have been making for long time.
If Spain crosses swords with us she will
There is an impression in administration
circles that Madrid may not realize how
thoroughly in earnest the United States
is, and that perhaps the best way to secure
Spanish compliance with our demands is to
give them peep at our guns.
There is no cessation of the preparations
which our government has for weeks been
making for an emergency. Each day marks
some new step toward a state of complete
preparedness one Gay IL is a mllllOn dol
lars worth of new projectiles, another it is
an order to place in commission as soon as
possible all naval vessels at navy yards;
then it is a request for new artillery regi-
ments and for an increase of the navy;
again it is an order to get all the old single
turreted monitors ready for harbor defense.
To-day a board was appointed to organize
the naval auxiliary service, which means
the securing of ships for transportation of
troops. And at the end of all this Secretary
Long says. semi-officially, "the United
States is preparing for anything that may
happen"