New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-09
GEN. NERRTTT'S PLANS CHANGED,
HIS TRIP SOUTH INDEFINITELY POST
PONED-OPINION AT GOV
ERNOR'S ISLAND

An unexpected change made by Ma1or-Gen
erai Merritt yesterday In his plans for visiting
the South Atlantic states to make his annual In
spection of the seaboard forthcations. lie re-
ceived a dispatch from Washington to meet Prince
Albert OF Belgium upon his arrival. and extend
10 him the official welcome OF the United Siates.
This made it necessary FOR him TO postpone his
plan Of starting for St. Augustine at noon yester-
day.
'I have been Unexpectedly delayed to-day" said
General Merritt to a Tribune reporter, al Gov
ernors Island. "and now do not know when l
will 60 1t will depend upon advces from WASH
ington. I may postpone my trip for some time
The addition of TWO regiments Of artillery 10 tho
Regular Army may require me to be here 10 ar
range for the disposition of the men. The appro-
prlation of 100000 for National defence by Con-
cress will make no difference 10 my department
until more guns are mounted and turned over 70
US The War Department will deal directly Win
providing any additional forthcations. As "
now we are well equipped with defences on lana
at nearly all points. and with more men we WIN
be able TO make good showing as could Do
desired
At Department Headquarters It was said tha'
the customary routine not disturbed ny ue
prospective increase in the artillery bFancn Oh '"'
Regular Army. I'VE assign the new men "
their duties in an hour and half after ihey are
enlisted" said an officer. "Our system Is such
that it would be a mere incident 10 add sixteen
hundred sixteen thousand men 10 tne l1Ise NV
In our barracks fancy that II tI ng S"O coss,
one OF the old regiments Will he transferred W
Pacific Coast. where new guns have oeen tl0 0nns
at inportant points. 1t Will cost ABOUT Sp.pv9.s
year to maintain this addition 10 the Army Wn'.aa
Will now number about tWenty-seVeh 1nous ~
men, pretty nearly equally divided between ~. NV
three branches Of the service. infantry '"'a"'
War viii be declared in less than six weeks
said Army officer from Mas ;iH ypSrofe.sea
10 be in the confidence OF those pest qus ,t ~
know the real situation ana 20 aNe preS 10 soms
we-known business men. one OF them saiu
Army and Navy officers are the %orsl au s,o,
in the world in such matters ~ ne outbreak Of
hostilities upon the slightest possloe prov sar
Especially the younger nyss are n opportunty for
energetic action and promotion .ut,t,s Ia.
The possibility OF an outbreak or hos'',te ssss1
tween the United States and SPAN was .yornor's
Island and the Army Building feslerueS nrosIect
eral satisfaction was expressed Over nrohsbie ao-
nronriation Of NOOOG0 for additional deiehvss
''As the interest OF New workers. Is uhh.S &c az
cerned with the amount OF Pro's,T rnv oeicer The
owners OF property may like 10 know that ls'e n
practically danger thai an ariio'eu 80 Nil ,hs
get into position from which she Sopu 49, or
scatter death and destruction IN the Inc gr,at
heaviest armor aioat coud mo. 10 mis- harbor
both from the sea and the SOUND ia. INA
are not armed with guns which have greater s cy
than those ON land and the outskirts OF unnv1,,sS
are defended by batteries OF morats ana oantsyng
rifles all within the city limits, Du' 0nnricIpai.
range far beyond the ooHnSarles ,S U cannon a,
sandv Hook and upon David's Island 'nonssr
Sauna on Rochelle. The danger no .2"s re
exists OF an inroad by hos ,a eSSemnity under
nenaltT of Immediate destruction Inc 49,
can be held at bay almost at the horiI'" "