The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-20
CONGRESS IS TO BLAME.

Kansas CITY star
Washington, May is. The volunteer 10
camp has Just cause OF complaint. When
tho Kansas City companies found them
selves received near st. Louis with such
infinite lack Of preparation, they were en-
titled TO growl. The complaint and the
growl alike should be directed against the
system under which the department works,
and for that the parsimony OF congress Ia
responsible
This war department has not relaxed its
activity and Is working night and day upon
the task of.equipping aud arming the vol
unteer troops which are daily being mus
tered in. 1t is the strongest evidence of
the Penny wise and pound foolish policy
that has been adopted towards the army for
years that the outbreak of hostiities found
1t with practically no reserve stock OF ord
nance, quartermaster and commissary
stores.
With the regular army raised from $4,000
to $1,000 men. and q volunteer force OF
nearly 100000 the task laid upon the sup
ply departments of the army has been an
extremely difficult one, and which ne5es-
sarily, viii take weeks Of precious time for
Its accomplishment. 1t has been three
ing the Presidents Proclamation issued the
call uron the governors OF the various
States. Less than 10000 of the troops have
been modified, mustered in and partially
prepared to move. The entire regular
army was quickly concentrated with the
exception Of three regiments, and is now
ready for active service. The regular
troops, with at least 10000 of the volun-
tecrs would have been on the way to Cuba
and to the Philippines by this time had
the uuartermaster and commiesary depart
ments been able to secure the needed equip
nens and supplies, and the ordnance de-
partment been in condition to meet the
reuuisitiOns for ordnance and ammunition
All the mills, factories and establish
ments in the United States whose resources
are usually drawn upon. or which could be
utilized in the emergency. haye been work
ing day and night to meet the demands OF
tho government for clothing, tentagc. am
munitlon and camp supplies The supply
Of uniforms, of course, was long ago eX-
hausted as was that Of ducking for tents
The supply Of the new rifle. with which the
regular army is armed falls 100000 short at
least of the number which must be col
lected beforr the volunteer army is armed
with gun equal TO the Mauscr, with which
tn Spanish troops in Cuba and the Philip
pines are provided. There is a large re
serve, 1t H. true of the last model OF the
Springfield rifle which will be utilized, but
1t Is fully recognized That the superior
range and low trajectory of the SpaniBh
gun makes 1t infinitely superior 10 the dis
carded Springfield which, UP TO few
years ago was the BEST rifle OF its class
used by any nation.
1t has been a cheap economy in congress
during the past twenty-five years to refuse
appropriations, which, properly expended,
would have built up reserve of stores by
/ \, tft Il. 1ntT
been thrown promptly in the field. 1t VII
still take considerable time before 100000
men will be in full readiness for the ser
vice, and the various divisions, corps and
brigades supplied as they ought to be fer
active campaigning.
The war department Is more fully sats.
fled than ever, after the experiences OF the
past week with II number OF unsuccessful
| attempts to land small bodies Of troops In
| Cuba, that campaign in the island Is to
be no holiday affair The reports show that
Spanish regulars and volunteers combined
amount to between 10000 and 10000
men, most OF whom are concentrated In
the vicinity Of Havana. Thirty miles OF
entertainments have been thrown up be-
hind the capital city, and earthworks and
masked batteries constructed and placed
in position for the defense of the smaller
ports throughout the island The shores
are patrolled by cavalry. with large bodies
OF supporting infantry in the rear. 1t Is
very evident that General Blanco Is pre-
| pairing for hard campaign.
1t seems to be quite as evident that on
account OF the surprising insignficance OF
their numbers the insurgent forces bid
mir to prove of little assistance to the
United States troops. Under such circum-
stances 1t is plain that a large force of
the navy must cooperate in assisting the
army OF invasion to land and in keeping
open the lines of communication with the
United States. II seems equally evident
that force OF 40 900 or o. 900 men ought 10
be the very smallest with which TO begin
operations in Cuba.
The problem Is very puzzling one, be-
cause at the outsat ARRANGEMENTS were
made for an invading army Of only 5Ool.
whieh, 1t Is announced will ultimately be
increased TO 10000 men. II is one thing TO
talk Of "a sharp, short and decisive earn
naign, but those who have been studying
,ho situation at the war department in the
lght OF confidential information received.
pelieve that the reduction of Havana and
the subjugation of the island will seriously
YAK the present resources of this country. |
especially when it is considered that the
nt'pp,nes furnish concurrent problem,
ana VIII require the maintenance of an.
o,,her army of invasion nearly 5000 miles
instant from the base of supplies.
VI course under such circumstances 4. |
would be the height of folly to ATTEMPT on.
erations in Cuba while cur fleet Is div,dsd |
and the enemy's squadron is RAPIDLY nm.
proachlng the island. Should naval en-
easement take place within the next few |
days, as is expected, and the Spanish fleet |
ne given its quietus, troops at TAMPA Mo- !
oiie and New Orleans, with the volunteers |
now concentrating at Chlckamauca can |
Dc sent to the front as soon as eouipments |
arrive which will put them in condition for |
an active campaign. This is likely TO be- |
several weeks. ~ We