Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-05-10
THE GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ~

as published by the department is
thought in some quarters to warrant
The assumption that it contemplates a
speedy movement of the United States
military forces upon Cuba and in much
greater force than was originally
planned. The war department officials
refuse to say anything on this point
but there is every evidence that they
expect short, sharp, conclusive and
immediate campaign, such as could not
be waged by 5000 or 10000 soldiers 1t
is also to be noted that preparations
made by the quartermaster's depart
ment and the commissary department.
so far as disclosed by actual orders in
dicate that provisionists being made
for mobilizing, transporting and feel
ing many thousands of men outside of
the United States.
With a view of systematZing the
WOI II VI iIloJIilLitiso NhC Ao' NC'' ttii' l'"'
ting them in service, the var depart
ment has planned scheme which it is
believed will very much hasten the
work of getting the men together and
equippinS them, while avoiding any
congestion of the railroad traffic, in
stead of allowing all the troops called
for from a particular state to be as
sembled and broken in at the rendeZ-
vous, the department is instructing its
mastering officers to complete the or
ganization of regiments as rapidly as
possible and as soon as one is organized
to report the fact to the department.
when that regiment viii be ordered at
once to the point selected for concen-
tration.
In this way The government will be
relieved greatly in the distribution OF
stores, which viii be called for only
as fast as they are needed. The men
will also be mere amenable to disci-
pline when quickly transferred to the
concentration points outside their own
states 1t is the expectation that the
first regiments organized and reported
from the states will be sent to Chatta-
nooga, thence going to Cuba via Mo
bile, TAMPA, New Orleans and Cal
weston. for expeditions will be des-
patched from each Of these ports. The
governor of a state will have no hand
in the designation Of the regiments to
go to particular concentration camps:
the destination Will depend ON the
promptness with which the volunteers
are organized and are ready for trans
portation.
Probably about one-third of the en-
tire levy called for by the President of
about 10000 troops will constitute the
force to be sent South to take part in
the first Cuban service, following the
regular army forces These troops will
be the first to receive their equipments
just as was defined in Gen. Miles cir
cular issued, today. When they are
organized, equipped and concentrated,
the government will be ready to equip
the second contingent, namely the
forces about equal to another third OF
the total call, which will be assigned to
the defences of the coast and harbors
replacing the regular United States
wit hIra fhFcn
Thus, it will be noted from a study of
the concentration or hat six regiments
of two troops Of New York volunteers
are assigned 10 duty under command
of the department of the east COM
mandng coast dcfenccs and reserves
which probably will result in their en-
ployment in New York harhor and
along the shores Of Long Island sound
Likewise in the case Of Pennsylvania
five regiments, two battalions and tw,
troops are assigned to duty in the de
partment Of the east. which will place
them along the shores of Delaware bay
and river, as guards to protect The
important shipping interests of tina
section.
When these are equipped, the govern
ment will turn its attention to the thr'
class. comprising the last third of tn
y. 900 volunteers called for. 1t is the sin
cere hope Of the war department that
will not be called upon t. fully equi
these troops before hostilitios are al A
end. but the work Of preparations is pro
ceeding on the contrary assumption. Thl
third division will constitute the secon
reserve, TO be drawn upon for reinforce
ments whenever needed. and it is possibl
that the men Will never he called upon t
leave their own states unless the plans
the war department miScarry.
Out of the first class Will come I'll
troops which will be sent to the Ph!.ppir
Islands. Gen Miles has prepared
scheme changing the boundaries of IL
present department to facilitate the worl
ing out of this plan and ii is now befol
Secretary .\lgcr for Improvements. tt
responses so far received from the mu
terng offices continue TO be very encou
aging.
The following telegram, today, fro