The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-07
Army Is Believed TO Be Vastly
Superior to SPANS.
NONRESIDENT RECEIVED NEWS

iDulCatinR sOIne lnOct liuportunt ihSOoio VA
the situation. One Of these Is that Ameri-
can gunnery and naval tactics are surely
superior to those Of Spain. IL will be re-
nembered by readers of these dispatches
that some time ago pointed this out as
one Of the reasons why tho Americans
would be sure to whip the SpaDiards
Confirmation of that view, which was Civ
en- upon the authority OF naval experts,
has come very suddenly. The first engage
ments of tho war have demonstrated Its
accuracy. Not only at Manila, but at
Matanzas and In every skirmish between
the contending forces, have the Americans
shown superior skill and management.
What is true Of the naval forces Is true
without question of the military arms of
the two nations. As soon as a serious COL
lision comes between the armies of Spain
and the United States 10 will be found that
the soldiers of the latter country are very
much the superior Of those of the former
in marksmansbip, In care of guns and
equipment, In discipline and morale. 1t is
not meant by this that the soldiers OF
Spain are utterly worthless. Far from 1t.
The Spaniards are a fighting people, as
history shows, and our most conservative
military men agree that II the troops which
Spain now has In Cuba were led by able
men and by honest and courageous men
who knew how to train their men and get
the best out of them, they would put up
a severe fight against the United States AZ
soon a. the occasion arises.
Cause Of spsin's Decline.
But what is to be said of an army in
which there Is such vast gulf between
officers and privates that no emergency Is
ever permitted to bridge It; where the
commissioned officers take no interess
whatever in their men, their physical con.
dition or the state of their arms and equip
inent; where guns are allowed to become
rusty for lack Of care; whore the soldiers
are 30 little trained that I'm an engagements
half of them point their weapons In ths
air, and it IL believed many Of them shut
their eyes before pulling the trigger;
where organization Of hospital corps, COM
missary trains, camp outfit, everything
pertaining to the ramifloations Of an army
excepting only those things which make
for the comfort of the officers Is neglected
day after day and month after month?
What can be expected Of an army that Is
poorly fed and that has not been paid for
nine months?
1t has been suggested by members OF
the diplomatic corps who know Spanish
character that the secret OF SPANS rapid
decline among the nations Of the earth Is
found In this very fact. Neither her OWL
nor her military affairs are administered
with the energy, honesty and skill which
characterize tho public administrations of
America, of Great Britain, of Germany,
of France and Russia. The Spaniard as
q man of affairs Is successful only In
private capacity when guarding his own.
He Is a failure In public service, and even
In corporate activity he Is not a shining
light. Many of the largest corporations
in Spain are of foreign organization, cap-
ital, officers and managers. It has heen
found that In order TO secure honest and
effective administration Of affairs 1t Is
necessary to employ Englishmen, Germans
or Frenchmen. This does not mean that
all Spanisrds are dishonest or Incapable,
but they have not the adaptability to or
ganisation, fidelity and executive work
that characterize the Anglo-Saxons.
am told that President Mckinley was
the bappiest man In Washington when the
news camo Of the victory mt Manila. OF
course ID Is no seoret that tho president
went into tho war reluctantly and with
many misgivings. Onco In 1t bis greatest
desire was to secure results that would
make for peace with tho smallest possible
loss of life on either side When Admiral
Dcwey's fioet destroyed the encmy's ships
at Manila, the president In common with
many other public men hcre concluded
great and not very costly step toward
peace had been taken.
Manila Made Mckinley Laugh.
"I was at the White House when the
news from Manila reached tho president,
said one senator to me, and on that ocoa-
sion, for the frst time In several weeks,
heard henrty laugh from tho presidents
lips. His face showed what a relief the
news was to him. Ever since tho tidings
of the victory came no has been ndinerent
man. suppose you know that for cou-
ple of weeks, while tho crisis was at its
height, Mr.. Mckinley was pretty neavly
worn out. He could not sloep, and ability
to sleep under the most trying circum-
stances and thus TO regain his strength
has always boon bis strong point. havo
known him for many years, and 1 can re-
member number OF occasions when ho
would retire to bed while every one around
him was wildly excited and In fow min
utes be fast asleep. have known him to
curl up In tho corner Of q seat In an ordi-
nary railway coach, while bands OF music
and shouting crowds were making the
wolkin ring, and 20 of to the land OF nod
as II everything WIS calm and peaceful
around him. But this Spanish crisis, un-
I'll the die was cost and congress bad taken
Its final action, SO stirred tho president
that slocp did not como to his pillow. lilo
told me the other day that In the course
Of some 20 hours he did not sleep five
hours, and that he was moro nearly worn
out than he had ever before been In all
his long career ms n public man and as q
cnmpaiener."
The happy effect Of the naval triumph
Mt Manila npon the president IL charao-
teristlo OF the effect 10 has had upon al
most every one here In Washington. In
well informed circles tho talk II all TO the
effect that Manila marks the beginning
81 the end. With ono more good victory
either on land OF sen II h believed Spain