The record-union., 1898-04-22

to cross the Atlantic and attack Com
modore Schley on his own base, but it
would seem to be equally impracticable
| for the Commodore to take his flying
| squadron across the Atlantic to the
| Spaniards unless he is reinforced
| Spanish newspapers threaten to give
us a surprise in the shape of a naval
visitation, and although nothing posi-
tive is known as to the destination of
the Spanish squadron, it is stated that
| it has started on its return to SPAIN
| SEQ miles distant from Cape Verde
thus indicating a purpose to await an
engagement in their own waters. 1t
! is likely that in this event the first
port made will be the Canary Islands,
distant about $50 miles from ST. Vim
cent, and a Spanish possession, par
TALLY fortified and a fair base. 1t is
not believed that the Spanish naval
commander will be foolish enough to
run the risk of taking his torpedo boat
f1otilla across the Atlantic.
Naval officials refuse most positively
to say whether they intend to force an
| issue by sending supplies to the recon-
centrados in Cuba on a merchant ship
convoyed by a man-of-war. II is known
that this plan has been under consd-
GRAFTON, but a suggestion has been
made that the Spaniards might avoid
the issue entirely by permitting the
merchant ships to land the stores with
out molestation, and then right after
ward seize the stores for their own
use.
Particular reticence is observed re-
garding the movements of the battle
ship Oregon and the gunboat Marietta,
now on their way around the Horn to
join the fleet in the Gulf Of Mexico.
The Oregon sailed from Callao on the
9th inst, since which time nothing has
been heard from her. 1t is believed
she passed Valparaiso and is now near
ing Montevideo, Uruguay. A formid-
able Spanish torpedo boat is supposed
to be somewhere in that vicinity await
! ing the arrival of the big battleship,
and some fear is expressed that she
may creep upon her unawares, and con-
sequently considerable relief will be felt
when the arrival of the Oregon at some
South American port is reported. 1t
is probable that when the oregon
reaches Rio de Janeiro or Bahia she
may be joined by the Brazilian cruiser
Nictheroy, recently purchased for the
use of the navy, and the two vessels
will come to the United States together
WAR DEPARTMENT BUSY.
Secretary Alger's day at the War De-
partment was the busiest he has eX-
perienced for some time Arrange
ments have been completed under the
! ISecretary'S direction for calling out
| 100000 of the militia of the country to
aid the regular army in the operations
to compel the Spanish evacuation of
| Cuba, although the Secretary an
nounced just before leaving the de-
| partment that the call would not be
issued to-day. The officials are await
ling the passage of the volunteer army
| bill by Congress, in order that there
may be explicit authority for asking
! for the volunteers. The number of men
required from each State, it is said,
will be in the proportion that its pop
Iulation bears to that of the whole coun-
| try. According to this ratio, the sew
era1 Western States would be called on
| to furnish men as follows: California,
| ., $50; Colorado 1869; Idaho, 1856; Kan
sas, 2,230; Missouri. 4. .239; Montana,
l419; Nebraska, / ,921; Nevada, no; Ore
gon, 663; Texas, 1888; Utah, $40;
Washington 942; Wyoming. 1S5; Ari-
zona, 145; New Mexico, 272; Oklaho-
ma, ia.
Secretary Alger has heretofore stated
that in the first call for troops the ma
tional organized guard of the States
would be accepted. The figures in pos
session of the War Department show
| that in some of the States there is no
such organization, and in others it falls
| below the quota which such States Will
| be asked to furnish if the quota is fin
| ally adopted. Then, under call for
| 100 900 men, many of the National
Guardsmen would be unable to go. 1t
| is suggested however, that the PreSi-
/ dent may disregard the method above
outlined, and permit the full enlistment
| of 100000 men from the guard as at
present organized. To add to their eff
lfectiveness, the War Department has
decided to increase the number of guns
! in the light batteries of artillery from
! four to six.
| In accordance with the wishes Of
General Miles. the Sixteenth Regiment
of Infantry from Fort Sherman, Idaho,
under command of Colonel Theaker, has
been temporarily halted at Chattanooga.
/
other infantry regiments should be
stopped at Chattanooga for a short time,
but they had proceeded beyond that
point before orders holding them could
be issued.
manded the Fifth Infantry at Fort Nc
Pherson, has been placed on the re-
tired list, on account of disabilities Incl
!
ceeded in command of the Fifth Regi-
ment by Lieutenant Colonel H. D.
Freedman of that regiment, who has
been stationed in Oklahoma.
The Navy Department also purchased
/ to-day the Nemensha, now at Norfolk
Repairs to the vessel will be made inn
mediately at Norfolk. She is to be used
as distilling ship and will accompany
the fleet for reducing salt water to fresh
The yacht Corsair, bought to-day, viii
be sent to the Quintard warks for such
changes as may be necessary and the
yacht Penelope to Norfolk for a similar
purpose.
| Passed Assistant Surgeons C. F. Sto-
ken, George Tucker Smith and Edward
Bogart, Jr., have been detached from
their present duty and ordered to report
for duty on the ambulance ship Solace
They will be under charge of Surgeon
Thomas H. Streets. The vessel will be
| ready to leave Norfolk to join Captain
SIMPSONS fleet by next Wednesday.
CUBAN FORCES.
Will Gladly Cooperate With Unit
| ed States Forces.