The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-04-05
&c THE PIRATE !"

these mines is a well kept government Sc
cret but it is known that they are planted
In narrow channel which the enemy's
fleets would DO compelled to keep in for
depth of water. No Spanish warships will
ever pass this plant of explosives. If they
get that far, they will meet there the fate
which overlook the Maine in Havana har-
Dor
Those mines were but recently placed in
position, and what has been done hero has
been done at every seaport along the At
lantic coast. Both by land and sea the
United States Is now ready to meet the
Spanish attacks In the last two months
our war and navy departments have ac-
complished large part of the work which
should have been attended to years ago
and would have been attended to had CON
gress given the department the money.
Wonders have been accomplished in the
last 80 days, or since the $50, 900, 900 APP
preparation bill was passed by congress.
Naval and military authorities tell me no
other nation in the world ever achieved so
much in so short time toward getting
itself in thorough readiness for war.
Recent Preparations.
A month ago, had Spain attacked us
then, she would have found us Ill prepared
for war. Our coast defenses were not
manned, and there were not enough skilled
men to work the big guns. Now the guns
are in place all along the coast, and the
men are there trained to operate them to
best advantage. Thirty days ago our naval
vessels were short of powder and projec
tiles. Then the majority of the ships could
not have fired more than two or three
rounds. Now their magazines are full
Thousands of tons of ammunition have
been procured, large number Of guns
were bought In Europe, four ships were
purchased In foreign yards and 1000 men
have been enlisted.
This is rapid progress on big scale, but
it measures only part of what has been
accomplished. A month Or more ago in
formed the readers of your paper Of the
preparations for war that had then been
made. Our government has been fore
handed. 1t has been at work for many
months. 1t was early determined by the
officials of the administration that they
would not be caught mapping. The great
est activity, of course, has been in the last
30 days, but II 1t had not been for the pru-
dent forethought which brought our ships
home from foreign stations and which
fastened work on all vessels out OF CON-
mission tne euOrtS VI tne id5o iboneh oouiu
not have been 50 effective.
The resources of the country have been
drawn on in sweeping fashion. Not only
have revenue cutters and lighthouse tend
ers been turned over to the navy depart
ment, for use as dispatch boats, but the
government has purchased - fast tugs,
Ave or six yachts and three torpedo boats.
All of these are now available, and the
greater part of them are today attached to
one of the big fleets, either ut Key West or
Hampton Roads, or will DO mt their post
within day or two.
The Navy.
Our navy is now stronger than It ever
was before Not even In the days of the
civil war did IL possess so much elective
ness, though IL was then composed OF
greater number of ships. The only part
of the world where we have ships, save
within striking distance of Cuba or along
our own coasts, Is on the Asiatic station,
where Il seems only prudent to keep feet
Of reasonable power. All our ships. a.