The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-04
Little Probability that Any More Vol
unteers VIII BE Mustered Out Till
the Situation Is More Clear.
PROBERS TO BEGIN TO-DAY
ARMY INVESTIGATORS WILL COM
MENCE TAKING ORAL TESTIMONY.
Gen. Wheeler the First Important
Witness-SteInberg Too Busy to
Prepare Answers Just Now.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct S.-Now that infor-
nation has gone out that it is the intention
of the War Department TO winter
such Of the volunteer troops as
are now camDed in the East in
camps in the Southern States, there
has been grand rush to the War Depart
ment and the President by members of Con-
gress, accompanied by patriotic citizens
who have desirable sites which they would
like to lease to the government for camping
grounds. Three members of Congress, with
their following of gentlemen overburdened
with unimproved real estate, called on
President Mckinley to-day to sing
into his ears the praises of their
particular localities. Representative
Bromwell, of Cincinnati, accompanied
by large delegation of gentle
men of the Chamber of Commerce. want
a camp located near the Queen City, and
to-day they called on the President and
General Corbin to press their claims. At
the War Department they did not meet
with much encouragement. In fact Ad-
jutant General Corbn told them very frank
ly that their proposition was absurd II
know the climate of Cincinnati very WE'LL"
said the general, land a winter camp there
sides we wish to acclmate men for the
Cuban and Porto Rican service in the ex-
treme South" The President, as usual
heard what the visiting Buckeyes had to
say, and, dismissing them with a cordial
handshake and a smile all around, said he
would consider the matter. The Cincin-
natians have an unused race course near
Madisonville, a suburb of the city, which,
it is said, is owned by George B. Cox, or
was formerly owned by him when used as
a race course. It is now known as Oakley
Park.
Others who came from North Carolina :
and Alabama Jared better, as the climatic
conditions are in their favor. Gen. Joseph
Wheeler escorted a party of his constitu-
ents into the presidential presence. They
think they have just the proper site at
Montgomery for winter camp. The North
Carolinians have sites in several parts of
the State they would like the government
to take. and they also have site at Ashe-
vile which they think would be ideal for
the erection Of the new federal prison which
is to be built soon. Nothing definite was
determined, but it is certain the troops will
winter in the far South.
The War Department continues to be
overwhelmed with requests from senators
of individuals. Personal appeals are made
by fathers, mothers, wives, sisters and
sweethearts. Every man in the department
supposed to have any influence is sought
out to secure the discharge of enlisted men
who have tired of the life of a soldier. The
pressure for muster out of entire organiza-
tions has declined to a minimum, but the
constant pressure of individuals is growing
stronger daily. Some scheme of reorganiza-
ton of the army will have to be devised in
order to secure a sufficient force for garri-
son service, which will not be subject to
the same difficulty now being experienced
with the volunteers. To number of inter-
ested callers to-day President Mckinley had
occasion to reiterate his determination to
have no more troops mustered out for the
present. In the course of several interviews
he stated in substance that it was the in
tention of the administration to send fresh
troops to Porto Rico to take the place of
the volunteers, who will have to be returned
home. and who will be given fur
loughs. He stated very firmly that there
would be no general discharges until the
situation was cleared up' The President
also during the day testified to his appre-
citation of the soldiers from the South. He
said one of the results of the war which
particularly gratified him was that the war
seemed to have effaced the last vestige Of
sectional feeling as between the North and
South. He referred to the hearty responses
from the South when the war broke out,
and concluded with the statement that If
the elimination of all difference OF feelings
between the North and South was to con-
tinue permanently he would be a happy
man. He also spoke of the evident con-
tentment Of the Southern troops to remain
in service as long as they were needed
The following statement was given out
at the War Department to-day: 'The sec
retary OF war being questioned as to quar-
tering of troops during the winter. has had
the matter under his consideration, and de-
termined for the good of the service and
the welfare of the men that they should be
in open camps. in climate where, during
the winter, they can drill and have free
open air exercise. To put the troops in
buildings in the large cities in the North
would. in measure, deprive them of the
necessary drill, discipline and target prac-
tice essential for fitting soldiers for active
service in the field. Moreover, the dis
cipline of troops near small towns can be
maintained very much better and more ef-
than near large cities. The troops.
therefore. will be quartered in the middle
Southern States. where they can live in
tents, as provided by plan Of the quarter
master general. which gives stoves to each
three tents Joined together-two sleeping
rooms and one sitting room. The secretary
Of war directed board of experienced army
officers to visit the. different sites for the
purpose of selecting these camps. and haa
left that to their judgment. which, however.
meets with his fun approval
~ has been decided to make Augusta