New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-09
WEBER
PIANOS
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pairing their latest maps showing the distriou-
ton OF their forces at successive periods In the
Cuban campaign. and it seen that the
Army and Navy would be always placed TO sup
port each others forces.
HOW THE ARMY MAY BE INCREASED.
The method Of increasing the Army in case OF
a declaration Of is unknown to many Ma
tional Guard commanders. and inquiries have
been numerous in the last few days as TO the
procedure necessary TO assist the Government
by armed force. The following authoritative
statement on this subject was made for The
Tribune:
by the law the strength OF the standing
Army is limited 10 thirty thousand. In point OF
fact We have but twenty-five thousand men.
that being all Congress appropriates for OF this
a very considerable proportion is needed for
coast defence and seacoast fortifications. We
have hut five regiments OF artillery. numbering
4313 men. which would be totally inadequate
for coast defence. but Congress has just author
led two extra regiments which Will tide over
the most urgent necessities. Our cavalry con
sists Of 6,6l1 men s-h our infantry OF l4'o2o.
or course II would be necessary TO increase
this small force If operations Of any magnitude
were to he undertaken. The increase could come
in several ways. The militia could be used
7 solely
putting down Instruction For the purpose Of
invading foreign country. however. IT would be
/ necessary to call for volunteers In the latter
case, the National Guards Of the various States
/ could volunteer or not they saw ft In some
/ Instances they would probably volunteer az a
/ body. In others their organization would go TO
/ pieces and many Of the would seek COM
| missions as volunteers. The President would
! call for the number Of volunteers considered nee
! essary each State being called upon to fur
nish its quota according to population These
volunteers after being mustered into the ser
/ vice of the United States would be fed, clothed,
/ armed and paid by the Government officers
! OF volunteers would be appointed by the Gov
/ ernors Of the States up to and including
colones- Officers above this grade would be
appointed by the President
PLENTY OF GOOD MATERIAL
There would be no difficulty in getting volun-
teers far as mere numbers are concerned. as
/ we have in the United States over 1O.OOO.OW
| available for military service. In fact We have
/ more flesh and blood than need. 1t is mis-
! take. however 10 suppose that these men would
! make good soldiers soon as furnished with
arms and given uniform. They would need ex-
| perience In fact. tactical instruction is now
very scientific and on account OF the great I'M
| provement in the making OF arms. much drilling
! and training would be necessary. The require
/ ments in target practice and the handling or
! arms alone would be very Important. With the
/ old and obsolete the requirements were
not go great but with the and modern guns
the value of good marksman has greatly IN
creased.
In the drill IT takes about four times long
| 10 perfect artillerymen and cavalrymen as IL
does infantrymen. The infantry forms the most
| important part Of army. and. fortunately, Is
the arm most easily created. The War Depart
/ nent IS In a position n furnish magazine
aims for the men as rapidly as they can he
| trained. and the same Is true 81 ammunition.
! The great difficulty in raising raw army Is
! the lack Of educated and experienced officers.
Trained and competent leaders are very vau-
! able as the success OF the operations Of the
| troops under them depends largely upon their
! leadership and judgment. Volunteers would be
raised first by regiments, then grouped INTO
hrigades then into divisions and then into army
corps. The number Of volunteers called for
would depend entirely upon circumstances
which would arise from time 10 time"
A COMMISSION FOR GEN. LEE PROPOSED
At Secretary Ayers conference to-day he re-
ceived a report that 100000 Remington rifles Of
the latest pattern were available for immediate
purchase. with sufficient ammunition 10 equip
an army at once in readiness for battle. These
guns. Will, not equal to the Army service weap
ons. are thought TO be adapted to extraordinary
service and such might be demanded in an
/ emergency.
| In connection with the likelihood OF an early
| call for volunteers in case the situation grows
/ worse. proposition reached the War Depart
! ment to-day which ELECTED universal epproba
ton. 1t that sul-General Fizhugh Lee
receive the first commission OF Brigadier- Gen,
! eral Of Volunteers Secretary Alger received
! the suggestion with cordial approval and re-
marked that while General Lee was most useful
| to the Government In Havana Just now. he
would he fairly entitled 10 any honor the Nation
could bestow in case he were needed more at
home military leader than as diplomatic
! officer. II be said that II the opportunity
occurs for the President 70 commission General
Lee as suggested he will not hesitate To give him
the preference above all others.
CARE on FORTIFICATION WORK
The War Department Issued order to-day
significant Of the with which fertilization
work Is now proceeding. II was that hereaf-
ter no further shipments Of ordnance by sea
would be authorized This is due 10 more than
one cause The Government less than a year
/ ago lost several valuable weapons on the South
/ Carolina coast through laundering OF a schooner
| Transporting them. and IL Is not proposed 10
run this risk again The action is also said to
avoid the contingency OF possible attack by
an enemy. while the guns at sea, especially
! those destined for Mobile and other Gulf ports
! which have 70 pass in transit by water between
! the Florida and Cuban coasts
! Among the propositions submitted to the Navy
| Department to-day which attracted serious at
tention was one from William H Jaques,
| former naval officer and ordnance expert also
| commander Of the New-Jersey Naval Militia,
] and now PRESIDENT OF the f1pIlhlu ouOlIldl lHr
/ Boat Company Offering 70 build fifty torpedo
| boats at the cost Of one batte-ship, delivering
/ them completed in three months. The suggested
vessels are Of novel design, Of a semi submerged
/ type running low in the water like the sub
| marine boat when it is on the surface. In fact
| the only difference between the Jaques boats
! and the Holland boat lies in their ina bility 70
! 90 under the water. vastly cheapening their
! constructions and in the rapidity with which
/ they can he delivered
AN OBJECTION TO FOREIGN SHIPS
An important objection against buying war
! ships abroad was also brought TO Secretary
! Longs notice during the day. II was pointed