The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-29
VI hal Has Been Done
TO Prepare for War
General Boynton in the Sun.

m THE country now knows, the
IAN president, while earnestly and con-
jDl scientiously pursuing all lines
I'M which promised honorable peace,
has not for an instant relaxed the
most vigorous preparations for war. Pre-
vious to the voting of the emergency ap-
prOpriation this work went forward with
out general knowledge of its intense ac-
tivity ard extended character. Since the
day that congress authorized the COM
plctc preparation that money would make
possible, the work of the war and navy
departments has been on a war footing.
If hostilities occur, there will be no busier
days in either than the last two weeks
have been. AS result, the whole East
ern coast has cause for satisfaction and
relief There is no important harbor
where an enemy can successfully strike
or do any permanent damage. The work
accomplished has been marvellous both
in extent and effectiveness. But for the
experiences of the last war, and the intel
ligence which those who served through
il brought to the pending difficulties and
problems with which the president found
himself face to face, the gratifying ana
most important results attained could not
have been secured. AS matters now
stand before any outbreak of hostilities
is possible everything will be everywhere
secure against any of the ordinary con-
tingencies of war.
Beyond garrlsoning the harbors in force,
the present expectation is that hostile
movements will be confined for some
months to come to the sea. There is no
| intention, in any event. TO expose Ameri-
| can troops to the ravages of yellow fever.
| The president is very emphatic upon this
| branch of the subject. Among the count
less offers of services In the fielG which
! he has received there have come declara-
| tions from coorec veterans that all the
| soldiers needed for operations In Cuba
| could be promptly recruited from negroes
who are immunes with regard to yellow
| fever. This is but one indication OF the
| universal character of the offers which
are received from the South. In the
| opinion of military men, it may turn out
| that there Is a very practical side TO this
! suggestion. AS to the South at large, 1t
is not too much to say that offers enough
have crowded in from that section to fight
a war with Spain, without regard to its
proportions, II the North did not send a
man. If that fantastical revolt" OF the
| Spanish press occurs in the South 1t will
be an uprising against the president for
not allowing that section 10 precipitate
itself in mass upon Spain.
| 1t is interesting TO know how our vet
suits Of engaging the Spanish navy-that
is, what the cool-headed ones believe
about 1.-THE men who have too keen an
appreciation ofiwhat such "a contest will
be TO speak either lightly or boastfully
about It. To q man, such officers have
absolute confidence in Cur ships, and pe-
lieve that with some unavoidable, and
! probably serious loss TO ourselves, the
navy of Spain win be destroyed. Much
reliance is placed by our officers upon
the fact that fo- nearly a year past tho
crews OF our best ships have been unoeI
! constant drill at sea. Officers and men
are accustomed to the evolutons of a
fleet, the handling of heavy guns, and Il
all the movements on board which belong
TO action. except the fighting itself.
| O.
} The present intention In regard TO In
, fantry forces, If II becomes necessary Z
employ more than the regular army car
supply under the pending bin for its In
crease, is to accept service from the Ma
tional Guard before calling for volunteers
This force has been sounded in all IN,
states The responses have been of IN,
most satisfactory character. Organized
and fairly drilled bodies are ready TO TAX
} the field on short notice In sufficient mum
) bers 20 meet al probable requirements
, In fact, more have offered than can b.
supplied with modern arms for some tim
to come, Measures to remedy this lacl
are being pushed with vigor. The onl
a | chance for veterans finding early oppor
tunity for service seems to be in a pur
pose 10 have all new troops organizes
and instructed for field service by OF
: hcers Of wide experience in the last wal