The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-29

MI. RlcnarQSOn mas hluuly given oo
permission to publish it, and we know
it will be read with interest by all Of
our readers:
u. S. F.S. New YORK,
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 21, 1898.
My Dear Father: [ have written
you an account of the bombardment of
Santiago, but the letter has not left
the ship, and will not leave until TO-
morrow. While we are lying here
suffering from the monotony Of in
action, / can pass the time in no more
pleasant way than giving you my
views on the situation.
People may talk Of battles but fight
ing is easy compared to doing nothing.
Everybody is fractious and discon-
tented, from the captains to the lanes
men. The ships are forced to remain
in practically the same position from
day to day, and the heat together with
the sultry weather causes one to feel
about half sick. However, Admiral
Sampson keeps in good spirit and he
said to-day ~ had rather lose my
head than to let one of Admiral Ger
yera's ships escape" The Navy
understands the difficulties that en-
cumber the army and we have no
complaint to make against it. 1t
seems thai great many people glory
in criticising the policy of General
Miles. He is tried officer, and from
long experience and successful battles
thoroughly understands his business
and knows exactly what to do. On
paper the Spanish army in Cuba con-
sists Of 100000 men, $4,000 Of whom
are i9 good fighting trim. Then to
land our army in Cuba before it is
fully equipped and disciplined would
be serious mistake and would result
very likely in an inglorious defeat.
Whereas il we wait until we get 1O0,-
600 soldiers ready, easy victory will
be assured. While it may seem hard
to wait the pc ,ple cannot complain Of
the delay and expense, because they
are entirely to blame; some say the
Congressman are at fault, but not so;
they represent the will of the people
Then let our country profit by this
mistake, and have regular army large
enough for any emergency America
has grown and developed in every way
since the time of Washington. $4,000
men may have been sufficient then,
but we must now keep pace with the
other nations and should have regu-
lar army Of at least 100000 men.
Then to turn to the other and more
important branch of the service, the
navy. What shameful neglect do we
see? Will the American people remain
blind to the needs of our navy? Let
us hope not. If we had met first
class power our navy would certainly
have fallen far short of the expecta-
tion of the people. Too much conf
dence is had in our navy. While there
are brave officers and men in the SER
vice, patriotism cannot win battles
where forces are very unevenly match
ed. There is no doubt that the
Americans would fight their ships to
the last conquering equal forces, or
maybe superior forces, but with
frst-class naval power our vessels
would have to disappear from the seas
for long time, and the Government
suffer many indignities. In the end
we would win. but the war would be
long, for it takes at least two years to
build battle ship and fit her properly.
Then let US be up and doing; profit by
the mistake of the past, and follow
the old rule:
''In time of peace prepare for war.
The present war is going to be of great
value to this country. 1t will educate
the people. Naval officers will be
able to determine the practical value
of the types of vessels and guns now
in use and make such improvements
and changes that are necessary in the
new ships that are to be built. There
are many defects already discovered.
The policy Of our Government is
now on the eve of a change. The
greatest problem that has ever con-
frontcd us is now to be solved, that is
the annexation of territory. Up to
the present time the territory in
America has been sufficient for our
necessities, but as we have grown in
wealth, population and commerce, it
is necessary to establish coaling sta
tions throughout the world if we ex
pect to become great commercial
nation. Then it remains with the
people to decide this question. Let
them weigh it considerably and care