The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-10-17

70 90 70 rHe PHkRp,sGS


s~sew.~ t~,Nu, IN tire >.,, ,.ss,. ssss
m rsss s~s.usv, .sa IN Japan -vr~
Pr~-ws~ss Trains the same ss~vss q.
Wee, On samsrs-s~, vn., Ws Advised
ps-s.e. the var Win spain, wn~. us
warmed ss~h,r,~y That the r~psrsurv
.f s,~r,~ra's fre~, w~an, war
cots Ahead NJ 20 IN r,srsns 0,s~v.
for war Material IN Europe -Our Army
snd Navy Be,s< Placed on war re.,,ms.
WASHINGTON. Oct IA Preparation for
q hostile emergency in the Pacific is occu-
plying the time and attention Of the mill
tary and the naval authorities To such an
extent that all other work has been Sis
pended in some branches Of the two ser.
vices.
The war fever is spreading through the
personnel Of the army and the navy. Many
officers are now aware Of the circumstances
which led to the decision to send the bat
tleship feet to the Pacific. and with their
eyes opened in that respect they are watch
ing the trend OF events with absorbing
interest.
The idea that war is coming is apparently
firmly fixed in the minds OF some Of those
having superior means Of obtaining in
formation a. to the Governments attitude.
Others, while deprecating the talk of war
and nclined to the belief that there will
be no conflict, contend, however, that the
preparations now under way are justified
by hot situation as they understand it n
commend President Roosevelt for what they
regard a. admirable foresight on his part.
Under orders from the Navy Department
the entire working force at navy yards on
the Atlantic coast Is being employed In
making ready the vessels of the battleship
feet for the so-called practice cruise to the
Pacific. Every class Of labor that can be
utilized in getting the feet into condition
for its long voyage has been withdrawn
from its usual duties at the yards and put
to work on the ships.
The authorities OF the army Signal Corps
are devoting themselves exclusively to ar
rangements for the installation of electric
fire control apparatus in the Notifications
of Subig Bay, the new naval station e.
tablishcd in the Philippines. The work h.
being conducted to the detriment of other
projects, but the orders to complete It,
which are understood to have come di-
rectly from President Roosevelt, are i'm
perative.
Under equally imperative directions new
fire control systems are being installed on
the battleships which will 60 to the Pacific.
A"torpedo company" Of the army artillery
corps has been sent TO Subig Ray to chart
and mine that important body of water and
.enga &c in torpedo practice. Army rifles
OF six. ten and twelve inch calibre and -
inch mortars are being sent to Subig Ray
as fast rs they are completed. The trans
portstion of this ordnance is being accom-
piished with significant despatch. Con-
tracts have been let for so. 600 tons Of coal
to be delivered In the Philippines. The
ment Of the press. discourages inquiry per-
tanning TO the active preparations now in
progress.
There are other things that indicate ths
intention OF the Government to place the
army and the navy on a war footing within
the ability Of its present resources, although
complete evidence is lacking that such Is
the purpose OF the apparent activity In
connection with these additional particular
matters. For example. recruiting for the
10 being pushed with energy. but taken
In connection with the fact that the feet
Is 1000 short OF the authorized enlisted
personnel. this course Of the authorities
Is not necessarily significant.
In the army recruiting is conducted with
considerable activity. but existing con-
ditions. without reference to the pros
pect Of a hostile emergency. appear TO
Justify endeavor. The present
strength Of. tbs enlisted forces 10 approxi-
mateiy 1900 men. which 10 about 10000
short Of the desired peace establishment.
The ease with which moro remunerative EN-
ployment In civil life may be obtained 10
regarded a. responsible In large part for
the alarming number Of dessrtiops and the
failure Of soldiers TO r~eenlist. Since March
the enlisted personnel Of the army has fallen
on about 1000. In the Quartermaster's Do
partmsnt OF the military establishment there
10 much activity. but 1t is said to be nos
greater than peace conditions demand and
orders have been issued TO that branch
Of the army to prepare for troublous timea
The number of'troops in tho Philippines IL
about 10000. including 5000 Philippine
ooastabSlary. There has been 70 s6ort
teinecspN this fsRQe and nethlnG DO sDos
1131f< L f3H1 4 &R42 1yF52 Z