The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-13
PRAISE FOR OUR TROOPS
FRENCH EXPERTS VIEW OF MILL
TARY OPERATIONS IN CUBA.
Not Throughout the World, He Says,
Is There Such a Splendid Body of
Fighters as the American Army.

WASHINGTON, July 12.-Major De
Grandpre, military attache of the French
embassy, has just returned from the Araeri-
can headquarters near Santiago, where he
has been observing for his government the
progress of military operations. He paid a
glowing tribute to the fighting ability of
our soldiers. II have the most complete adj
mration for your men," said Major De
Grandpre to-day. They are a superb
body, individually and as an army. and
suppose not throughout the world is there
such splendid lot of fighting men. 1t is
the fighting characteristic of the men
which is most apparent. They are aggress-
i've, eager for action, never needing the
voice of an officer to push them forward.
Another marked characteristic is the self
reliance of each man; what call the
character of initiative. 1t is almost
unknown in European armies, where
every movement, and the move
to meet every action of the enemy
awaits tho initiative of an officer. But
with your men they fight to the front,
meeting each emergency as it arises. over
coming obstacles by their own initiative.
Such self-reliant fighting men make an ex-
ceptionally impetuous army, for every unit
contributes to the irresistible onward move
this same characteristic They are more
passive, more cautious. Besides the i'm
petuosity of such fighting material, it has
the effect of inspiring morale among the
troops, making them feel that success is
assured, and at the same time carrying dis
order and depression to the ranks of the
enemy
Major De Grandpre says the fighting
about Santiago is something entirely differ
ent from the warfare of European and
other armies of modern times. The dense
vegetation and tangle of tropical vine
makes it impossible TO observe the
usual military lorna tons. AS a re-
suit there is little or no effort
to fight in solid formation. Every
man is lighting for himself, pushing for
ward through the shrubbery. vines and tall
grass. 1t is impossible to see the enemy.
There is no line of battle ahead against
which the assault is directed. Only through
the reports of pickets and from the crack
of rifles here and there ahead, is it known
that fighting force is there. This makes
the shooting irregular, as it is seldom posi-
BILE to see one or the opposing soldiers and
get a distinct aim at him. The main re-
suit of this is to bring the two fighting
forces close together gradually until they
are hgnting at close range In this re-
spect, Major De Grandpre points out 1t is a
return to the lighting OF two hundred yeats
then in use compelled fighting at close quar-
ters. AS is always the case at close range
fighting the casualties are far greater. With
the usual open field fighting of European
armies the range is long, and as a result
the casualties are not so great in a given
period. 1t has the effect also, of allowing
time for each side to gauge the strength
of its adversary and in this way decisive
results a:e often achieved in long range
lighting before Il general assault has oc-
Cured; but it is impossible, Major De
Grandpre points out, for the American or
Spanish troops to take this measure of each
other they see nothing of the general
battle and meet only when brought into
close quarters.
Major De Grandpre also speaks highly OF
the efficiency with which the American
troops and supplies were started on their
expedition and debarked in Cuba. This has
come in for considerable criticism in this
country, but Major De Grandpre says that
considering the brief time allowed for
equipping the expedition remarkable results
were secured. European military eXpedi-
tions, such as those of England or France
to Africa other points, he says, are
planned six months ahead, which allows
ample time for attending to the most minute
details. The first word of Cervera's enter
ing Santiago harbor was on May 10. and the
vast military preparation was wei under
way and the expedition started early in the
following month of June. This and the i'm
significant loss Of men and animals In land
ing was an exceptionally good showing
Judged by the best military standards. He
says the foreign military observers were
more concerned with this matter Of en-
barking ana u1SeInDdTklnS lIoOpS. supplies
and animals, than with the actual military
manoeuvers as the moving of large forces
constitutes great military science.
The major will remain here for about
week and will then return to Santiago If the
place has not surrendered by that time.
In case of surrender he will proceed to
Porto Rico or such other points as may be-
come the center of military operations As
to the probabilities of surrender, and the
political aspect of the situation, Major DE
Grandpre will express no public opinion,
as he feels it would be contrary to the pro-
nrieties of his nositiOn.