Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1898 — READY FOR A FIGHT. [ARTICLE]

READY FOR A FIGHT.

In Case of Trouble with Spain the United States Would Be Prepared. In spite of all denials it is well known that unusual efforts are being made to arm and equip every sea coast fortification, and that the regular army officers throughout the country have been quietly notified to put their commands into the best possible condition. The President does not want war, and will go a long ways out of his way to avoid it. but he fully recognizes the force of public sentiment and is preparing rapidly- for the worst that may come. Press dispatches from different points show preparation that is being made: Columbus, O. —The Ohio militia is preparing to respond to the President's call for troops in the event war is declared between the United States and Spain. St. Augustine, Fin.—Captain Hubbell, with one battery, has bee'n sent to Sullivan's island, and a few days ago Lieut. Van IXuzen departed for Fort Moultrie

with a detail of twenty men to take charge of coast defenses. Army officials here freely discuss the probability of trouble with Spain. At Norfolk, Ya.. the Norfolk navy yard received instructions to have the hionitor Terror ready for sea. Both the Puritan and Terror have been shipping recruits for the vacancies caused by the Maine disaster. Providence, K. I.—The 150 officers and men in the three companies of the Rhode Island naval reserves nre fully equipped for any emergency and nre prepared to answer a call to duty on board any of the Government war vessels within five hours. At Cincinnati, 0., a recruiting office for soldiers to serve in case of war with Spain was opened at Mergard's Hall. Many men sighed the muster roll. A member of Nelson Post, G. A. R., issued a dodger headed “To arms, to arms.” Hundreds of white badges and buttons with the words “Volunteer—On to Havana” have been distributed. New York. —Never before since the days of the war of the rebellion has the Brooklyn navy yard seen so pronounced an activity on the part of officers and men. No longer do the officers deny that the Government is making the most strenuous preparations “to meet any emergency,” us they express it. Such a denial would be useless. For the first time in many years the ordnance warehouse was open on Washington’s birthday. At Charleston, S. C., work on the Gov-

ernment fortifications is being rapidly pushed. The navy yard force is kept busy putting the guns in shape for war. In Fort Sumter a torpedo tube which commands the entrance to the harbor is prepared for work. The garrison, consisting of eighty-five men on Sullivan’s island, is ready for any orders that may be sent from Washington. Key West, Fla.—The preparation for war can be seen on every hand, and from the naval station stores are being sent to the battleships at Tortugas. Eve.'y night the battleships New York and lowa clear decks for action, and everything suspicious is stopped and spoken. Soldiers can be seen everywhere. Troops that would enlist from this city are acclimated to yellow fever, and could be sent to the interior of Cuba without fear of taking that dreaded disease.