The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-20
Much Work Necessary TO Equip the
Volunteer Force.
The Navy Ready TO Convoy the Troops, and
War Department Officials Making
Every Effort TO Prepare for
the Invasion.

WASHINGTON, May 19.-W1th every
disposition on the part of the Executive
to make the present war short, sharp
and decisive. it is beginning to be real
lied that the shortcomings Of our mill
tary service are so many that delays
are inevitable, and that much work will
be necessary to put the nation in eff
cient fighting shape. Every day brings
forth some weak spot that has to be
strengthened, or some hidden defect,
such as the discovery at this late mo-
ment that every regular army officer
who accepted a volunteer appointment
would forfeit his command in the reg
ulars, and so be liable to be let out of
the service entirely at the end Of the
war. Few officers cared to risk the fu-
ture in that way, SO a rush was made
toward Congress to secure the neces-
sary corrective legislation.
Again, it has been found that the
equipment of the army, small as it is
in comparison with the great army of
the rebellion. is sadly lacking. Nearly
Il
of war. the War Department to-day
purchased a number of shelter tents,
and it has just secured the hammocks
that experts say are essential to ex-
istence in Cuba
These preparations involve delay, so
that it is not remarkable that, in spite
of the herculean efforts of the officers
of the army, no positive start has yet
been made toward its goal by the army
of occupation. Probably it is this
fact. rather than any unreadiness on
the part of the navy, that causes the
campaign to drag in its inception; fol
the Navy Department has announced
that it stood ready at any moment to
furnish conveys for the troops, pro-
vided they were started from one point.
General Miles had an interview this
afternoon with Captain Crowninshield,
Chief of the Navigation Bureau, and it
is surmised that this very subject was
under discussion. The rumor was afloat
that General Miles and his staff We're
to leave Washington tonight for Tam
pa, but this again proved to be prema-
ture.
To maintain an army of 100000 for
six months viii cost $30,000.000, &C
cording to estimates prepared by Pay
master General Stanton. and the lead
ing officials are beginning to fear that
hostilities may run along beyond this
period. The reason is the growing con-
viction on the part of some of the Off
GERS that they must not reckon on any
substantial assistance from the Cuban
rebels in the campaign, and, moreover,
must meet the Spaniards in Cuba in
their strongest sphere, that Of the de-
fensive.
Naval authorities are relieved of a
good deal Of embarrassment by the con-
sent of the French authorities at Mar
Unique to allow the scouting vessel
Harvard TO remain in St. Pierre until
her repairs are completed. 1t was sup
posed at first that she would be allowed
only seven days, and at the end Of
that time would be forced out to risk
attack at the hands of some ambushed
Spanish cruiser or torpedo-b boat.
Work on the three monitors. Maho-
pac. Cannonicus and Manhattan. at
League Island, has advanced so far that
the department expects to have them
in service within a week or two. They
have been supplied with tubular boil
Cd
that they have carried since the war.
These monitors will be a valuable ad-
dition to the coast defense ships.
Mr.. Niblack. late United States naval
attache to Berlin and Rome, reported
at the Navy Department to-day, and
had some amusing stories to tell of his
experiences in every seaport of Europe
trying to buy a ready made navy in
thirty days. He has been assigned to
duty on the Topeka, one of the ships
he helped to purchase in England.
The absence of official news of any
character from the fleets at the Navy
Department to-day gave the widest
field for speculation, and all sorts of
stories were afioat as to the where
abouts of the vessels and the immin-
ence of an engagement.
The report that came from Madrid of
the bombardment of Santiago de Cuba
was received with some credence, mas
much as it seemed to show that Cen
eral Greedy, the Chief Signal Officer,