The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-02
Avoid n Disaster.

Avoid n Disaster.
In its issue of Tuesday the New York
Herald says: There can be no question
as to the wisdom of the governments
course in delaying the invasion of Cuba
until thoroughly prepared to strike a de-
cieive blow"
If the Information contained I'm the
Washington dispatches is correct the or
der for a movement on cuba had been
given before the Heralds article from
which the foregoing extract was taken,
was written. We agree with the Herald
that it would be a great mistake 70 in
wade Cuba before the volunteer army is
fully prepared for campaign work. To
throw a lot of raw recruits into Cuba
would be to invite disaster. 1t Is true
that he volunteers are willing and even
anxious to go to Cuba at once, but their
wishes in the matter are Of little con-
sequence compared to the interests which
tho government has at stake. The ef-
feet of a disaster would be TO greatly pro-
long the war Because we can raise
easily an army of a million of men 1t
doesn't follow that we would be excus-
able for sacrificing the lives of a few
thousand of the volunteers in making
experiments.
We know that the army which Spain has
in Cuba is composed of trained soldiers
They are not only thoroughly seasoned
and disciplined, but they are acclimated.
On the other hand our volunteers have had
no military experience whatever, except
bo d of -l,
tanned in the military organizations Ct
their espective states. They have plenty
of courage and can be depended upon in
battle, but they have not been taught how
to use their guns and their strength e.
fecuvely. Therefore they would be at a
great disadvantage in a campaign against
the Spaniards.
No doubt the situation, just as ID is
has been presented to the President. and
if he has ordered an invasion of Cuba he
must have had some overpowering rea-
son for doing so. 1t is true that some of
the politicians and the yellow journals
have been, and stll are, insisting upon
the invasion of Cuba at once. Not one
of these politicians or newspapers has
correct understanding of the situation, ard
they don't want, apparently, a correct I'M
Outstanding of it, They are demand
ing that the invasion of Cuba shall be
begun at once because they believe that
a demand of that sort is popular.
1t may be that in the movement on Gu
ba which has been ordered only troops
of the regular army VIII be sent forward
at the present time, and that the volun-
teers will be held back until there is ur-
gent need for them. A day or two will
determine whether or not such is the
case. If only regulars should be forward
ed it would mean probably that Santiago
is to be taken and the Spanish squadron
destroyed with the hope that such a dis
aster TO the Spanish navy would convince
the Spanish government that it's wisest
course would be to sue for peace and ac-
cept the best terms 1t could get.
It is much more likely that the Presi-
dent hopes to bring the war to speedy
end by striking a telling blow at once
than that ne has ordered a forward move
ment SIMPLY to satisfy yellow journals
and jingo congressman. If it should turn
out, however, that a big army is to be
sent to Cuba before the volunteers are
ready for service, to drive out the Span
iards by hard blows, the President would
not escape severe criticism if our forces
should meet with reverses.