The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-18
A DAY OF PEACE AND QUIET.
SAVANNAH PEOPLE DO NOT WORRY
MUCH ABOUT WAR.

They Are Taking Things Very COoIIy
and Waiting for Developments.
Would Rather Not Have War, But
VIII DO Their Duty IL 1t Comes.
Old Veterans Air Their Opinions
on warShips and Torpedo Boats.
The fact that The United States Senate
had passed warhke resolution and thar
war might be declared any moment, did
not seem to have any visible effect in Sa,
vannah yesterday. There was never a
quieter Sunday. There was not the slight
est ripple of excitement and a stranger
from the moon or elsewhere who had
heard nothing of the war talk would never
have judged that the idea of war had a
place In the minds of the people.
There were no crowds gathered anywhere
and no discussions. For the first time
since President McKinley's message was
received by Congress there were no crowds
in front of the Morning News bulletin
boards. Had there been any bulletins
there 10 read doubtless few people would
have gathered, but everybody seemed to
take it for granted that being Sunday.
there would be no bulletins. Even at the
clubs the crowds were small and there
was little discussion of war topics. This
may have been because all the people who
are in warlike mood had gone to Tybee.
where the United States soldiers are. At
any rate, 1t was evident that Savannah
was keeping as cool as a cucumber in re.
gard to the war crisis
Notwithstanding the apparent lack of in
tercst everyone with whom the subject
was discussed admitted that, after the ac-
ton of the Senate on Saturday. war ap-
peared Imminent and it was difficult to see
now at could be honorably avoided. At the
same time the hope was expressed that
there might be some change iii the situa-
ton as would place a different face upon
analrs and make war unnecessary.
The people of Savannah are taking things
cody. They know that if war comes If will
not be by their desire and that ON the
other hand they cannot prevent it. They
are simply waiting for Developments and
stand ready to do their duty under all cir
cumstances.
Diverse views are expressed as to what
VIII occur in case of war. The general opin-
lcn is that it will be chiefly a naval fight.
ana that the army, especially the volunteer
part OF II, is not likely to be called upon
LOT much service, for time at least Com
mon opinion has it, of course that The
United states navy will knock the stuffing
oui or Spain's warships in no time. Here
and there a doubter is found
An old veteran who has a fair idea of
ships from considerable experience and oh
Servation, in speaking Of this subject
said; I am doubtful of the outcome Of
d naval night These modern warships
nave never had a fair trial in battle. The
NaIsHlPs seem to me to carry too much
work on deck, which will be an easv marx
for an enemy. Then a modern warshin is
htted up with so many devices and apnli-
ances, electrical, hydraulic and otherwise
ana It's machinery is SO complicated that
hardly see how one of them can stand
hard fight and keep in working order.
A few hard blows from the heavy guns
OF an enemy's ship, while they might not
SINK the ship, would be almost certain m
dlsarrange the internal machinery, especi-
ally the electrical and hydraulic nnparat-
us, and thus leave the vessel at the mercy
OF her opponents. A naval defeat Would
be very serious thing for this country
ana would put an entirely different face
on affairs here"
Another old Vet looked at things in a
different light. when the Vesuvius lands
500 pounds of gun-cotton on the deck ~ q
Spanish steamship" he said, "a new chap
ter will have been written in the history
Oh naval warfare. That as something that
IS certain to occur as sure as war comes
1he Spanish torpedo boats are a big bug
aDOO When Mill a
that the torpedo boats do not cut such
Dig fgure after all. With vessel un-
prepared to meet torpedo boats they might
work great havoc, but that danger has
been long foreseen and well provided
against. All our vessels are well eouipned
with rapid-fire guns. A torpedo boat
would have no show in approaching a yes
sci IN daylight in the face of rapid-fire
guns The torpedo boat would be de-
stroyed before she would be in position TO
do much damage Ii will not be so easy
for the torpedo boats to creep up on a feet
at night. In the first place the fleet
would be in darkness as a matter of pre-
caution.
All the smaller vessels would be sta
| toned on the outskirts as videttes and the
| tugs which the navy department have been
purchasing so freely of late would doubt
less De used for this purpose. If a tor
RSNo oo"' was Uncovered approaching the
| fleet at night rocket would be sent I'M
as signal. If the torpedo boat could not
be discovered and fired upon the war
ships could change their position. and as
no lights would be shown IL would be i'm.
possible for the torpedo boat to locate
them in the darkness. My opinion is that
most of the torpedo boats viii be de-
stroyed. l had much rather take nv
chances at sea in the next war in bat
| tleship than torpedo boat
SIGNAL MAST TO On VP An own,