The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
National Guardsmen to BE Given tha
First Opportunity to Serve
Their Country. If
IMPORTANT WAR MEASURE
GEN. ALGER's PLAN FOR INCREAs-
ING THE MILITARY FORCES.
Speedy Action Asked ON a. Bali Cre~
ating Two Branches of the Army,
Regular and Volunteer.

April 19.-The important
event ir the War Department to-day was
the decision to enlist only national guards
men under the first call for troops, which
will be very gratifying to the milltiamen.
Some idea of the cost of transporting troops
may be formed from the fact that it was
necessary to allot 81, 100000 to-day to defray
the expenses of the movements already or
dered Reports from all over the country
this morning indicated that the movements
were going on with the most gratifying
celerity. A picturesque reminder OF tie
warlike conditions was presented right IN
washington by the departure for the South
of the Sixth Cavalry, and Secretary Alger,
busted as he was with official tasks. man
aged to take time to get to the station TO
see them off, An allotment Of funds for
balloon service shows that the War Depart-
ment does not propose to ignore any Of ths
latest scientific aids to warfare.
The three branches of the regular army
infantry, cavalry and artillery--which to-
day began it's movement towards the mo-
bilizing points in the South, are from all
points of the United States The four points
to which the army moves are Chicka-
mauga battlefield, Tampa, New Orleans and
Mobile. AS soon as reaching those Spleces
they will go into camp. Advance agents of
the departments have preceded the troops
and made all necessary arrangements Tor
their comfort and convenience. The troops
carry thirty days rations and number or
rounds of ammunition. A large proportion
of the army was on its way South before
nightfall. In few cases where detach-
ments of troops were located temporarily
considerable distance from their posts. IN
order to reach which several days march
ing will be- required, there will be some de-
lay IN getting started South.
EIGHTY THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS.
The Cabinet meeting this afternoon prac-
ticaliy settled the question as to how many
volunteers shall be called for to supplements
the regular army in its operations in Cuba.
the conclusion being arrived at that the
President snail call for $1,000 men Of the
national militia Secretary Ager, after this
decision was reached, went to the War De-
partment and sent for Major General Miles
and Adjutant General Corbin. A confer
ence lasting nearly an hour was had as TO
the means to be employed to give effect to
the decision of the President and the Cab
met. Considerable progress was made n
outlining the plan to be followed, but, owing
to the complexity of the subject, all the de-
tails coul1 not be arranged at the first con-
ference. It is purposed to untilize this ad-
ditional force in conformity to the terms OF
the bill submitted to-day to Congress by
Secretary Alger through Senator Hawley-
According to the decision therein laid down.
presuming the bin to be enacted into a law,
the President would first apply to Congress
for the special permission required IN this
case to call volunteers. The men thus Sc
cured whether attached to the first organ
ized militia or not, would technically pass
into the service of the United States. This
would be necessary, probably, in order 10
escape a violation of the constitutional pro-
vision against sending the state militia out
of the country The additional men would
still however, be actually volunteers and
only in name part Of the regular establlsh-
ment The law requires that in a call for
troops the number required must be dis
tributed according to population among the
several States. In anticipation or this call
the department officials have prepared .
table showing the number OF men that
would be required from each State, accord
ing to the apportionment of the last census.
NATIONAL GUARD ONLY
Later in the day the authoritative state
ment was made at the War Department
that on the first call for troops only the
National Guard will be given an opportun-
ity TO volunteer for service in war. This
statement is in accordance with those mada
by Secretary Alger to the National Guards
men who called on him at the War Departs
ment on Saturday, when the modified Han
bill for the expansion of The army in time
of war was under consideration. Secretary
Alger thinks that such course is In keep
ing with sound discretion ard the dictates
of common sense, for the organized militia-
men who have gone to great expense and
have devoted much time to perfecting them
selves for military duty. Any other course,
he believes, would be destructive to the best
interests of the guard.
AS far as practicable the State organiza-
tions entering the volunteer service viii re-
main intact, the Governors of the various
States being permitted, as they were In 1851.
to designate regimental officers, which will
include those of the grades OF second lieu
tenants to colonels. The President viii re-
serve to himself the right to appoint the
STAFF and field officers. Many applications
have been made to the War Department for
perJ sion to volunteer, and among men OF
all c. eeds nationalities and politics there
Is an expressed intention ana desire to up
hold the honor and the integrity of the fag
of the Republic The first cali for troops
will be 'Nr 5000 men. which. it is believed.
viii st the entire available strength of
the onal Guard at this time, after de-
dut -. those who are otherwise incapacI-