The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-10-24
GETTING ON A WAR FOOTING
Activity in Both Land and Sea
Services.

washington iOpOCidAjs hAOpoh"
tion for a hostile emergency in the
Pacific is occupying the time and at
tention OF the military and naval
authorities to such an extent that all
other work has been suspended In
some branches of the two services.
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 battleship fleet
to the Pacific, and with their eyes
opened in that respect they are
watching 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
information as to the governments
attitude. Others, while depreciating
the talk of war and inclined to the
belief that there will be no conflict,
contend, however, that the prepara-
tions now under way are justified
by the situation as they understand
It, and commend President Roosevelt
for what they regard as admirable
foresight on his part.
Under orders from the Navy De-
partment, 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 fleet
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been withdrawn from its usual duties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 devotlng them
selves exclusively 10 arrangements
for the Inhalation OF electric fire
control apparatus in the fortifica-
tions of Subig Bay, the new naval
station established in the Philippines.
The work is being conducted to the
detriment of other projects, but the
orders to complete II, which are un-
derstood to have come directly from
President Roosevelt, are imperative.
Rush Work On Defenses.
Under equally imperative direc-
tions new fire control systems are
being installed on the battleships
which will go to the Pacific. A tor
pedo company of the Army Artillery
Corps has been sent to Subig Bay to
chart and mine that important body
OF waters and engage in torpedo
practice. Army rifles OF 6, 10 and
IL inch caliber and 12-inch mortars
are being sent to Subig Bay as fast
as they are completed. The trans
portation of this ordnance is being
accomplished with significant dis
patch. Contracts have been let for
$4,000 tons of coal to be delivered
in the Philippines.
There are other things that indi-
cate the intention of the government
to place the Army and Navy on a
war footing within the ability of its
present resources, although COM
plete evidence is lacking that such
is the purpose of the apparent activ-
ity In connection with these addition.
al particular matters. For example
recruiting for the Navy is being
pushed with energy, but taken in
connection with the fact that the
fleet is 1000 short of the authorized
enlisted personnel, this course of the
authorities is not necessarily signifi
can't In the Army, recruiting Il
conducted with considerable activity
but existing conditions without refer
ence TO the prospect of a hostile
emergency, appear to Justify strenu.
Gus endeavor.
The present enlisted strength oi
the enlisted forces is approximately
1000 men, which is about 1900
short of the desired peace establish.
ment. In the quartermaster's depart
ment OF the military establishment
there is much activity, but 1t is SAID
to be not greater than peace condi
tion demand, and no orders have beer
isued to that branch of the army tC
prepare for troublous times.