The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-04-30
BRAVE VOLUNTEERS
MAy NEVER SEE CUBA

WASHINGTON, April 29.-The volun-
teers must learn to be patient and
learn the lesson now. They will not
see active service for months to come.
They will remain in dom, site camps
while the regulars pave the way, and
It is even possible that not one in ten
may see Cuba. There is abundant
reason for these admonitions.
In the headquarters Of the army the
thought of exposing large bodies Of
United States soldiers to yellow fever
Is one that cannot be endured for
moment. General Miles has carefully
collected statistics from army surgeons
and Others and has learned that IL the
army is sent TO Cuba at least 30 per
cent OF the army will die from fever
For this reason he has advised agains I
an immediate campaign and the eau
tion which he displays has communi-
Gated itself TO the other officials OF the
department.
Even the president is fully acquaint.
ed with the danger that threatens an
invading army A few days ago Sena-
tor Mallory, OF Florida, who knows
from experience what yellow fever
means, was asked by the president as
to the advisability Of sending an army
TO Cuba at this time.
at would mean" said Senator Nal.
lory, "the death OF one-third of the
men,"
"Is that possible9" said the presi.
dent
"Not only possible, but true, was
the reply. "Even persons who have
had the fever are not exempt. / have
| had IL myself twice in eight years.
There is no immune save a dead man. "
This being the case the volunteers
will be sent en- masse to Cuba at this
time. The present program is TO
gather them at camps in the various
states and keep them there for five or
six months, during which time they
will become injured to camp life and
accustomed to the discipline of the
army. 1t will be long period Of in
action, but IL is deemed the best
policy.
Even IL immediate operations were
advisable, it would be some weeks be
fore the troops could be assem- bled
and moved. The work of mastering
the volunteer forces has just begun,
and IL will take some time for the
regiments to be formed, their officers
TO be chosen and their rendezvous at
the state ca nps fully established.
After all this has been accomplished
there would still be the chRrtering of
transports to convey the men to Cuba
so that the work cannot be done in a
day or a week.
Besides all this there is still hope
in administration circles that perhaps
II the invasion can be postponed until
next October, the time suggested by
the president to the Spanish govern
ment, something will happen to re-
move the necessity for it's occurrence.
There Is still hope OF the successful
influence of the powers upon Spain u
cause her to withdraw from the
island.
On the other hand, it is true tha'
very strong protests are made agains
any plan OF campaign which will place
an insignificant number of troops OF
. the island to act in conjunction will
so much of the Cuban army as can b'
concentrated for a joint campaign
Naval officers protest against any plaI
OF campaign at the present time whicl
. will compel the holding of the fleet 70
, keeping open communications betweei
this country and Cuba while the Span
ish feet at the Cape Verde islands AM
: the cruisers supposed TO be now max
ing their way toward this couutr,
must be looked after.
They believe that a naval engage
"a mt should open the war, Spain
fleet be driven from the seas, and then
S by Joint action of the military an
naval forces, the Spanish flag be force
from the island OF Cuba.
Meanwhile all the work of organiza
: tion relating TO the volunteer force
? progresses steadily.
= At the war and navy department
today there was no abatement In th
activity which has been so merlSe
I during the past week. The main ei
. forts of the former were directed I
the perfecting Of arrangements for tn