The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-30
Tampa to Be Temporary Base of Sup
plies-secretary Ayers Deficiency
Estimatcs-COst of Preparations.

WASHINGTON, April 29.---The pressure
| continues unabated on the War Depart
| ment for changes in the plans already an
nounced as to mobilization of volunteer
| troops, and, very much against its will and
| judgment the department is making some
| concessions in this matter A large number
of callers are bringing forward candidates
| for the many plums within the gift of the
President and Secretary Alger i'll the shape
of appointments to grades above regimental
! in the army. General Lee and General
| Dodge spent a good part of the day in con-
! ference with the officials, giving color to
| the reports that they are among those Sc
| lected for appointment as major generals.
The announcement that the State of Tex
as, laden with supplies for the reconcen-
! trados, is destined for Sagua has led to
| the surmise that it is probably this port,
| instead of Matanzas, which has been select
| ed for the landing place of the first attack
of the United States troops. The War De-
| partment is very seriously concerned over
| the publication in some of the morning pa
| pers of it's intention to select General Shat
| ter to command the first detachment of
troops to be sent to Cuba. TO prevent any
| further disclosure of the plans of campaign
of the department Secretary Alger this
rected to all bureau chiefs of the War De-
partment and all officers on special duty,
| from the highest to the lowest, instructing
| them under no circumstances to give any
| information to the press on any subject con-
nected with the war. While this seems to
| work a hardship on the newspapers that feel
| impelled to aid rather than obstruct the
| government in its campaign, it is said to be
| necessary to meet the present conditions.
| The same state OF affairs exists in the Navy
| Department.
| Secretary Alger, it is said, has decided
| upon Tampa, Fla, as the base of supplies
| for military operations General Ludington,
| the quartermaster general has issued the
| necessary orders for the establishment of
great supply depot at this point. Maj. D. ID.
Wheeler, assistant quartermaster general
| has been placed in charge of the depot
| Supplies will be accumulated at Tampa and
| distributed from there. Major Nye of the
| commissary department, has been ordered
| to Tampa
Representative Meyer, of Louisiana,
Democrat, of the naval affairs committee,
had conference with the President to-day
over the yellow fever aspects of the cam
paIgn. The President asked him how many
| immunes New Orleans could furnish for
somewhat conjectural at this time. owing
to the great sanitary improvements in the
city in the past twenty years but he be-
lieved $1,000 would be a safe estimate of
those ready to go who were immune from
fever. The President is understood to de-
sire those men for early service. One sug-
gestion made is that they be placed in
charge of the city of Havana after it is
taken. Mr.. Meyer announced his readiness
to accept 81 command if his services were
asked for, though he added that he was
| not pressing any candidacy
General Miles and his assistants were in
conference at various times during the day
respecting military operations that are to be
undertaken in the occupation of Cuba. They
all maintain the strictest reticence concern
ing the result of these deliberations and
nave adopted the policy of making nothing
public regarding them, even the regular
army movements are not divulged and none
OK the officials would confirm the reports
published to-day that the infantry regiments
at New Orleans and some of the troops at
Chickamauga are to proceed without delay
to Tampa. General Shafter who commands
the brigade at New Orleans, left tonight
for that place accompanied by his adjutant,
Colonel Bapcock.
The Cuban representatives in Washington
were at General Miles's Headquarters to-
day and were consulted in regard to various
steps which would arise in connection with
the cooperation Of United States troops
with the insargent forces in Cuba.
The War Department, it is expected, will
endeayor to secure additional ships for
transports, but it is said that none had been
acquired to-day. The capacity of those OBJ
tanned yesterday is not adequate for the
number of men which it is reported is to
embark on the expedition to one of the
Cuban ports and which it is believed will
be sent in very short time. The commits
siary department has depots of supplies at
New Orleans, Mobile, Tampa and Chicka~
mauga, adequate, it is said, for the i'm
mediate needs of the service.
General Greely. the chief signal officer of
the army. has recommended the formation
of an independent regiment of signal men
whose duty it viii be to cooperate with the
regular army. This, it is believed, will in
duee many Independent organizations to en-
ter such regiment and enable the govern
ment to avail itself of their experience and
work of many years.