Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-19
Observation-Disclosures 10, 1895
TROOPS FOR CUBA.

The order for the concentration Of near
" all the infantry regiments Of our regu-
lar army at ports of the Gulf states is
taken by some persons TO mean that the
invasion of Cuba will be entrusted 10
them, and that the volunteers Will have
no lot nor part in IL.
We do not think that that necessarily
follows. Far from it. The regulars are
to be gathered together in the south be-
cause that is the natural basis of opera
lions, whether our movements axe 90 be
offensive or defensive. In case the resu-
lars are TO De sent 10 Cuba. they Will be
all the better prepared for that service
after a few weeks acclimatization on the
Gulf coast. or. should they be required
to defend our own cities from threatened
attack, they will be where they can be
readily dispatched TO the localities where
they will be most useful.
Representatives Of the National Guard
of the United States have been at Wash
Ington in consultation with the Secretary
of War and General Miles. and it is UNI
derstood that the bin for rcorganizins
the army will be pushed through Congress
as soon as possible. And arrange
ments probably will be made for calling
the organized militia into service at
once-5O,OOO ON the first call and a Ike
number upon the second cali At the
conference referred &c was said that
at least Is per ccntum of the officers and
members OF the National Guard would
volunteer to so TO Cuba If needed, and
would permit themselves to be mustered
I'm with that understanding. The reor-
ganization contemplated will provide for
the appointment of a number OF major
and generals OF volunteers, and
in all quarters it seems TO be believed that
General Lee will be the first major-general
appointed When his name was men
toned in the conference all the officers
>cheered enthusiastically. North and
South. the popular wish is manifested that
Lee should not only have generals
commission. but that he should be sent
at the head OF his command into Cuba
TO ayenge the men of the Maine and TO
liberate the Cuban people from the
horrors of their long-drawn-out war.
General Lee has been in consultation
with the Strategic Board at Washington
and various alleged accounts of their CON
versations have been published, but we
put no faith in any Of these reports. Ii Is
not likely that the board desires to take
the public into its confidence; but If war
must come we may presume that the ef-
fort will be made 10 have il "shOrt, sharp
and decisive" But, hurry as We may,
much yet remains to be done before We
can land an army i'm Cuba. We must
have the men; We must have the trans
ports we must have camp and siege
equlpage, We must have a vast medical
department and what Is more. We must
have concerted action Of the army and
the navy. People who are SO clamorous
for immediate action would be less eager
than they are If upon their own Shout
ders and not upon others. rested The re-
sponsibuity for a forward movement.
We observe that some OF our able con-
temporarics are discussing the question.
Who is TO Ere the first shot? They repre-
sent that neither Spain nor the United
States wish TO Doe the first to pun the
trigger. That may Doe; but If The United
States Is COINS TO send her army and
navy to Cuba TO intervene" 20 viii not
cut any figure fin the opinion of the world
"who nrod the first shot
inpatient as many of our people have
heen Tor immediate congressional action.
we can imagine what would be- their feel
,nes II we had to reduce Habana by "a
long siege. There would be no end 10
their murmurings.
u we are going into war we should
cultivate the virtue Of patience. Ii win
ID as much needed 90 courage. We
snould have good stock OF both nor
that there would be any doubt as 10 tbo
result OF the conflict but because great
armies move slowly and great generate
will not permit themselves 20 be hurried
b. press or people.