The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-20

WASHINGTON. May 1a-With every
aisposition on the part of the Executive
20 make the present war short, sharp
ana decisive. il is beginning 10 be real
izcd that the shortcomings Of our MILL
tary service are SO many that delays are
inevitable and that much work will be
necessary 20 put the nation in eiiicient
fighting shape. Every day brings forth
some weak spot that has TO be strength
oned. or some hidden defect remedied'
such an the discovery at this late mo-
ment that every regular army officer who
accented a volunteer appointment would
forfeit his commission in the regular ana
80 become liable 20 be left out OF the SER
vice entirely at the end of the war;
EQUIPMENT SCARCE
Few officers cared to risk their future
IN that way $50 "a rush was made toward
Congress 10 secure the necessary correc-
tive legislation. Again It has been found
that the equipment of the army, small
as il is in comparison with that OF the
great army Of 1896 is sadly lacking
Nearly a month after the formal dcclar-
alton OF war the War Department to-day
purchased a number of shelter tents, and
10 has just secured the hammocbs that
experts say are essential 10 existence In
cuba. These preparations involve delay
SO that it is not remarkable that In spite
Of the Herculcau efforts of the officers Of
the army no positive start has yet been
made toward IT'S goal by the army Of oc-
cupation. Probably 1t is this fact, rather
than any uureadiness on the part Of the
Navy that causes the campaign 10 drag
in its inception, for the Navy Department
has announced that it stood ready at
any moment 90 furnish conveys for the
troops transports. provided they were
started from one point
WILL COST $30.0O0.OO0
TO maintain the army OF 100000 men
FOR six months will cost $1,000 900, accord
ing 10 estimates prepared by PaymasteT
General stanton, and the leading officials
are beginning to fear that hostilites may
run along beyond this period The rea-
son rs the growing fear on the part OF
some Of the officers that they must not
reckon upon any substantial assistance
from tho Cuban rebels IN this campaign
and moreover must meet the Spaniards
IN cuba IN thcir strongest sphere, that
OF the defensive.
Naval authorities are relieved Of good
deal Of embarrassment 10y the consent
of the French authorities at Martinique
10 allow the scouting vessel Harvard 10
remain i'm ST. Pierre until her repairs are
completed
n was supposed at first that she
would be allowed only seven days stay,
and al the end OF that time would be
forced out 90 risk attack az the hands or
some ambushed Spanish cruiser or tor
pcdo boat
MONITORS ALMOST READY.
Work on the three monitors. Mahopac'
Canonlcus, and Manhattan at League
Island has advanced so far that the De
partment expect to have them IN SER
,tcc within week or two. They have
oeen supplied with Tubular boilers I'm
place or the rusted out boilers they
have carried since the war. These
monitors will be valuable addition to
the coast defence ships.
The absence Of official news Of any
charaoter from the fleets az the Navy
Department to-day gave tho widest neld
for speculation and an sorts OF stories
were saoat as 10 the Whereabouts OF the