The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-10
MONITORS FOR DEFENSE
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE FA-
vORS BUILDING FOUR
Secretary Long Present to Urre an
Increase in the Naval Bili-MfI-
itary and Naval Preparations
Continue with Unabated ACTIVE
1ty, and Experts Are Preparing a
Plan of Campaign for the War.

WASHINGTON, April s.-Secretary
Long was before the naval sub
committee of the senate COM
mittee on appropriation today, and, in
response to a request for his opinion,
recommended that three or four har-
Dor defense vessels be provided for in
addition to the other items of increase
of the navy carried by that bill, as it
passed the house. He said he thought
the vessels could be completed for
$4,000, 900 each.
The subcommittee concluded consid-
GRAFTON of the bill before adjournment.
The principal additions to the portion
Of the bill providing for the increase Of
the navy were the following: Four
monitors for coast and harbor defense,
SIS, 900; four torpedo boat destroy
| ers, $1,2000OG.
These appropriations are for the YES
sells without arms or armament, and it
is hoped they will be sufficient for the
purpose indicated. The monitors are
to be somewhat smaller than existing
types
Military and naval preparations con-
tinue with undated activity, and the
strategic experts are formulating pros
pective plans of campaign. 1t seems to
be the accepted view among these ex-
perts that it will not be necessary to
extend the campaign beyond the ISL
aggressive attitude, in which case the
operations of the United States mill
tary and naval forces will be extended
to the Spanish possessions of Porto
Rico, the Philippines, the Canaries and
possibly Spain itself.
1t is the opinion, however, that the
fighting will not extend far beyond
Cuba and Cuban waters, and that af-
ter the United States controls Cuba,
hOstilities would not be prolonged. This
view, however, leaves out the fact that
after fighting begins it cannot be fore
told how far it will go, and the gov
eminent is preparing for any emer-
gency.
There was an interesting story afloat
during the day to the effect that the
president had decided to designate
Lieut.. Gen. John M. Schof1eld, retired,
as an advisor to the executive, the sec
rotary of war and the commanding
general of the army, in the event of
hostilities. Gen. Schofield has been
very actively engaged of late in or
ganizing a national volunteer reserve
to be ready for duty at the call of the
president. In connection with this
matter he has had consultations with
the president and the secretary of war,
the latter of whom has given his
hearty Endorsement to the scheme. BY
| reason of his active experience in the
late war the general would be we'll
qualified to suggest what steps might
be necessary and profitable in the con-
duct of the campaign of the land forces.
There is an act of congress which
prohibits the designation by the presi-
dent of any retired officer to active
duty, but Gen. Schofield could serve
voluntarily, If he desired.
Gen. Miles, commanding the army,
took the initiatory steps for securing
10000 canvas uniforms Of a character
designed especially for use in the
warmer states of the South.
Gen. Miles said late this afternoon
that no movement Of troops with
view to concentra ting had been ordered
today.
Secretary Alger will approve the
recommendation Of Gen. Miles that two
companies of the Twenty-fifth infantry
about to leave Montana proceed direct
to Key West instead Of stopping with
the remainder of the regiment at
Chickamauga. The commanding officer
at Key West has some work which it
is desired to hurry forward and for this
purpose the soldiers are needed