The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-15
(spoclal correspondence Of the London rimes.l

Especial Correspondence
| West Point. N. y, June II, 1898. --On
my way out OF Spain to catch the steamer
for New York / had the good fortune to
meet the master mind OF the German army.
He was the right hand man OF the great
Moltkc throughout the war with France,
was subsequently war minister, and. but
for personal matter highly credltablo to
him, would have been chief of the general
stan. refer, OF course. TO General Won
Verdy due Vernois. whom all military stu
dents read, for his style is delightfully."-
crisp.
General Verdy is perhaps the best trav-
elled and the most liberal minded man
among the higher officers OF the army. He
mas been conspicuously kind to young men
seeking his advice and the United States
owe nun grateful regard for the many GER
vices he has rendered the successive mill
tary attaches from this country.
our conversation took place the last
week III April, and recall particularly his
warning words at parting.
III | were In command at Havana
would ask nothing better than to have the
American army land this summer on Cuban
soil"
General Verdy's argument was that the
Spaniards would be fighting on their own
ground and therefore having an advantage
that would cost us heavily. At that time
1t never occurred to me that an invasion
of Cuba could be contemplated at Wash
ington before cold weather. aud so | said
10 the general. l pointed with some
pride to the fact that our regular army
was commanded by West Point graduates
In whom the troops had complete conf
dence and that he need not anticipate any
forward move that was not justified by
sound military considerations
The general. | saw, was bit skeptcal
He knew West Point and had high re-
gard Tor the efficiency of It's instructions
but he knew also that there were in Cuba
at least 100000 men behind their own
broastworks. and that to meet such a force
requires an army OF at least equal strength
and such armies have to be prepared be-
forehand
Arrived at West Point yesterday, found
the military post being inspected by the
annual board of visitors. There was sea
coast battery drill in progress. The guns
were muzzle leaders and the powder not
smokeloss Germany has been using smoke
less powder for ten years, but this Is in
paronthesls.
West Point gathers together at this time
of the year many of the most Interesting
men In our army. old graduates who come
sVaNh 10 revisit alma mater, fathers and
uncles OF youngsters in the cadet CORPS. tn
say nothing of the academic staff. which
numbers many Officers who won their
grades upon the battletelds OF Virginia end
Georgia
From these and from mothers and sis era
beard tales from the camps at Tampa and
Lakeland. Chickamauga aud Alger which
eorroporate what | was able to repor. i-cin
personal inspection. | have been shawn
lep'ers from officers at the front wri.:en
III confidence to wife. Il father or a
ino'her' showing state OF army dsoI SAN
Izauon scandalous TO an intelligent people.
am not here referring to young yo!lr-
teers VINO may be unused to camp lit,
reter TO letters from West Point sralultes
addressed to fathers who are themselves
veterans of the civil war. These are not
letters complaining Of necessary hards llns.
'hty are merely recounting Incidents Of
aa'ly mo which show clearly that the army
Hachlhery Ia in incompetent hands
one officer in a regular cavalry regiment
writes under date of June that his regi-
lnoht Is ordered TO load its baggage OF TO
the train for Tampa while yet the men n ~
not properly equipped. while their recruits
are not vet drilled. This officer saws mat
uurlhS their whole stay in camp his rct,-
mont has had but one regimcntal lr,l
ana not single brigade drill. In other
words ms men are so worried by merely
Setting through the ordinary connnnv
work, and drilling recruits that they have
no energy left for serious war drill ,Iis
rgsiufnt is now on It's way 10 Santiar,
rus oihoer, In the same letter. speeis with
Delight OF the chance to fight. and says
all
Is glad OF the opportunity TO get his men
TO cuba anything rather than the stagna-
ton in aud about Tampa.
another officer writes that his bri>ad,
VIII prooably never be united until NICER
me hre of the Spanish guns. He nd is:
Ihere may be reason aud philosophy in
al this but II there is 1t Is too deep fer
me-" ' 80
The letters was permitted To see an,
above ALL the opinions was permitted "a
htor, many from the lips of old and vo,upa
TRENDS, must unfortunately be kent secret,
NO soldier daros complain, lest his sul..rior
treat him as insubordinate. The pircnts
whose sons are suffering dare not make
u,,r letters public for fear OF prejudlclng
sun further their boys welfare.
Among tho many excellent officer, W.T.,
Whom have been talking here ind mi
one opinion regarding tho manner In which
TINS war Is being conducted. and that ouiu-
ION Is not complimentary 80 the secretary
OF war Y surely must cause thoaga tul
and patriotic Americans 10 pause when th,.
ma that among all grades of regular arm,
othcers there is a profound distrust for thn
manner in which the army is being IAN
died gu"
rms feeling throughout the regular arr-y |
Is genuine II Is based upon knowle lys. 7, |
Is feeling that communicates rseIf |
readily Ia the men and II It is strong with |
the REGULARS II Will be stronger still among |
tho volunteers
occasionally we hear of u meritorlous o.,
ncer receiving promotion But when that !
merltcrious officer comes 10 be inspected |
closely II Is seen, l regret 10 say that |
mere Rave been political forces AZ work In
MS FAVOR which were superior to the forces
controlled by his competitors. The seat
bnlk OF the military promotions have 10, n |
wRde for merely political reasons. 1he |
secretary Of war only this week Informed
one ~ the best officers in our army tha, ie |
intended to appaint no more ornce,s fro,,