The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-02
DRILLING NAVAL TACTICS.
n AIRY rattina Texas Militismcn
o. to How to Defend the Coast.
DOESN'T BELIEVE IHrRE'LL BE WAR
As Ne Thinks that spain WIN anick-
~ Acccdc to Amy Earnest De-
mnnd that II Made.

Beaumont, Tcxee. April t.--Adjutan,
General w II. Mabry. commander in CHIEF
OF the Texas Volunteer Guard. arrived In
Beaumont last right and autographed a,
the Crosby house. The general remained
in the city today. the greater portion OF
which no devoted TO becoming acquainted
with members of the Beaumont Light
Guard and greeting old time friends, DR.,
j. Il. Kicker captain OF the local military
company, was absent at Sabine Pass on
professional business, hut he returned ut
$3.50 o'clock this afternoon and Immediately
thereafter he and the general, together
with Licutcnants o'Brlen and Biain, went
Into conference which lasted until few
minutes before the arrival of the South
ern Pacific train from Ncw ORLEANS, on
which the general departed for Houston.
At noon The Post correspondent APP
preached General Mabry and queried as to
the purpose Of his visit, and he was also
asked IL he possessed information relative
to the situation between Spain and the
United States which had not been given
to the public, and IL he thought the two
countries were really in danger OF beconi-
ing involved IN war.
The general replied that he had no I'M
formation other than that obtained by
press dispatches. He did not regard war
between this country and Spain u prob
ability, for the very simple reason that
Spain would avoid 1t by granting every
earnest demand made by this government.
Spain realizes that she could only reap
the disaster OF defeat In n passage at arms
with the United States" continued the
general "and even II pride should urge
them to hostilities | am of the opinion
that this country could bring the war TO
an end In thirty days and involve no great
cr expense than blookading the harbors OF
Cuba and furnishing arms and ammunition
TO the insurgents. But, as before stuffed,
| do not seriously anticipate war and ]
believe the whole question will be settled
lust as soon as our government gives Spain
positive orders TO withdraw Its army from
Cuba"
'What. then. is tho purpose of your visit
10 Beaumont"
You doubtless noticed in tile papers
that in case of hostilities the war depart
ment has expressed the intention of call.
Ing on the naval milltin in the South At
lantic and Gulf States for coast defense.
Texas has no naval militia and am swing.
Ing around the coast cities TO start the
different military companies to drilling on
raval instead OF infantry tactics. which
have heretofore been the exclusive drill
In the Texas Volunteer Guard. While n
deep water port Sabine Pass is totally I'M
protected. In case of war Spain could
sail It's vessels into that port with i'm
punity and land troops II desired. In the
absence Of United States Notifications tho
State OF Texas would have to make the
hest possible resistance and with chat pur-
nose In view | Will instruct Captain Kicker
of the Beaumont Light Guard to imme-
dlateiy begin drilling his company on naval
tactics and the same orders will be issued
to the companies at Houston, Galveston
and other coast cities"
General Mabry departed for Houston last
night. From the Bayou City he will go
to Galveston,