New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-23
HOW THE WAR IS CONDUCTED
A SPLENDID ORGANIZATION CEASE
LESSLY DIRECTING OPERATIONS.
THE MACHINERY OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
SCARCELY DIsTURBED-wHAT THE WAR
DEPARTMENT HAS TO con-
TEND AGAINST.
fnY TELEGRAPH TO THE 1nIprSE.l


has had the effect of teaching the American
people more geography than they ever imagined
was in existence II has also disseminated
vast amount Of nautical. technical and tactical
information which a highly Intelligent popula-
tion has not hestated to make use OF before II
could well 10 assimilated This sudden acquisi-
tion through the comprehensiveness Of the daily
newspaper and especially Through those papers
utilizing modern Photographic pictorial proc
esses has been within reach OF the humblest
citizen VINO could not otherwise have obtained
such an insight into current affairs through
years OF study at expensive educational institu-
tions
Perhaps the most marked development OF this
condition OF affairs in the last few weeks Is ex-
hibi;ed In the hasty recruiting OF vast army or
volunteer strategists. which. unhampered by the
necessity for arms, equipment and strict MIL
tary organization and no: compelled TO await n
formal call to service in the defence OF the
country by a Presidential proclamation, has
mustered itself into existence with prompt
tudc which has admittedly put 70 shame the
efforts OF the War Department 10 mobilize l-J.-
600 National Guardsrnen In various parts or the
country for Cuban and Philippine invasion and
for garrsoning domestic defences The heSi-
fancy manifested by the National authorities in
and unequpped troops lnto tropical hostile
foreign country Is In marked contrast to the
alacrity with which at least quarter Of
million strategical critics have unflinchingly
thrown themselves into n campaign OF abuse
without the formality OF choosing officers. but In
fact with each individual exhibiting a brazen
assumption OF command rank
Much Of the adverse criticism Is evidently
founded upon ignorance Of the conditions actu-
ally existing and the rest OF IT, particularly tha'
relating to naval operations, arises from placing
too much reliance upon inspired Madrid DIS
patches and fictitious Key West reports when
are manufactured in most instances outside OF
Florida.
THE, 1NAGINATION PUT TO WORK.
During the frat week or two Of the war there
was little or no secrecy maintained regarding
American naval and military movements ana NJ
that time volunteer stratcgists had more or less
Information upon which 10 base their con''u-
sions: but since General Grecly has placed re-
strictions upon telegraph and cable COMPANIES
,,o o-,o,our critics have become wholly de-
pendent upon imaginary premises ana 'h''' '"'-
r,,,a,,o,s however vigorous and vociferous'
are regarded as the mercst twaddie py those r.
sponslble authorities who are charged WIN 'ne
conduct Of serious war operations
perhaps a better understanding ~ the spl"n-
did oryanizo,lon Of practical men which is night
and dav ccaselessly engaged in directing the
,,ui,ory and naval forces ~ the United states
IN an cndcavor most cxpedl,iously % sweep the
cnonish flag from the yea and set up siaoe
,aw and order upon the ruins OF the most dcs-
,ouc ~ r,oSern colonial systems VIII silence the
email carpors with their thirty days smatier-
irg OF war lore.
The repusnance Of \ United states to the
maintenance of such great war Establishments
os are common abroad, and the comparative sr-
curity which this country has enjoyed Tor near
~ 4 hundred years. together with the !ndisposi-
ton II Congress 10 provide In advance IN"
means for quickly expanding the defensive ana
offensive arms Of IN" Government caused this
country scarcely more than month ar" 10 De
limited 20 a strictly peace footing, Whiie spain
though a thrd-rate nation. having been actlVey
at war for at lcas, two years with her rebelious
colonies was therefore IN "a good hShtlhs
condition az she can ever expect TO be.
Those were the conditions which rendered II
necessary FOR the United Siaies 10 deler lhe
actual outbreak Of hostIliies as long as possible
When II became evident that resort TO force
was no longer avoidablc every Resource or the
country was taxed 10 The utmost with the re-
.,,,, tho, In an Incredibly brief period, the ef-
,ec,ive naval force was quadruplcd in numbers
ord douhed IA strength. and, with appropriate lions
bv Congress at las, in hand. the work OF pro-
viaing arms and equipment for the Army was
undertaken.
In 10 this time both services had been com
pclled TO exist year In and year out In hand
to-mouth manner. Tho extraordinary change
that resulted was accomplished by skilled oi'i-
ccrs who have devoted their lives To preparing
,or t,s, such emergencies. and they the
men who are to-day conducting the war Their
,rorora.ion and fitness FOR the work is
questioned by their superiors as 10y ,heir suoor-
d,,o,os in actual service In the Navy Depart
mon, what has been accomplished In the last
of,ecn years. since the new Navy was begun.
sumcicntIy Indicates what may be relied upon
boroafter while in the War Department the or
ao,iza,Ion which successfully terminated the
Ciyu War is still In existence, improved and
strengthoned by years OF experience
THE PRESIDENT IN ACTUAL COMMAND.
Tho President. himself soldier. as Command
er-,n-Chief under the Constitution. is to-day
IN person exercising complete control or all
Army and Navy movements; and every order
before II is issued to either service. and whether
II affects individuals or ships, armies or fleets
has his consideration. II sufficiently important
% affect the general result. He Is consulted
frequently during the day. and more frequent
" at night by Secretary Alger and Secretary
Long and only upon his expressed authority
&c any action taken. Up to this time General
Miles has been repeatedly called to the White
House 10 advise the President about contem-
Mated military movements, but Secretary Long
has been practically his only adviser regarding
naval matters. FOR the apparent reason that the
highest naval men are at sea. and. on account
NJ the obstacles of constant communication.
have received wider discretionary latitude than
those of the Army who are always within call
/ .uipo imurcsgiOn I'm many Quarterg