Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-05-26
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
CONTINUED from page ~

Rhode Island 426; South Dakota, 11l9
South Carolina, 4i5; Tennessee, 1886;
Texas. 1454: Utah, 255; Vermont S9'
Washington, 704; Virginia. 1857; West
Virginia, 1888; Wisconsin, 1865; Wyom-
ing. 1873; Arizona, 109; District Of
Columbia. 19S; New Mexico, 269 Okla
homa, Sc
The organization and division of TINS
by the adjutant generals office. Gen
| orally speaking. however, the COW"
men will suffice for the formation OF 10
regiments With three regiments to d
brigade, which is the present basis OF
! organization, this will make 20
hrigades In turn. eight divisions OF
three brigades each will be formed ana
out of the eight divisions the entire
force will be divided into three army
corps This general division of course
| is tentative.
| The new force will reqire three major
| generals and about a brigadier gen
erals. The law authorizes the Presl-
dent to appoint one major general for
each army corps, and one brlgadlef
general for each brigade. BriSadier
generals are also assigned to command
divisions when the organization ad-
vances to that stage. The colonels,
lieutenant colonels, majors, captains
and lleutenants are appointed by the
governors of the various states.
Just now the adjutant generals of
flee is completing the enlistment of the
125, ,000 volunteers under the first call.
1t VIII take some time to complete this
work and not until then will the real
work of organizing the volunteers un-
der the second call begin.
A report was current, today. that an
army of invasion was about to start
for Cuba and Porto Rico. This was
based on the conjecture current of late.
but those in authority give it no in
dorsement.
The report that Gen. niles and his
staff would leave, tonight. was denied
although it is probable the command
ing general will leave for the South al
an early day.
At the close Of the day at the navy
department the situation as to the fleet
was precisely as it was this morning
50 far as the officials knew. the only
notable difference being an apparent
strengthening of the confidence of the
officials in their belief that Cerveras
squadron is lying in Santiago harbor
If Cervera is actually at bay, the
officials feel not the slightest appre-
hension of relief coming to him from
the outside in the shape of another
Spanish squadron from CadiZ. The
reason for this belief is the unques-
toned ability to hold Cervera in check
with only a few vessels this leaving
the remainder of the big armored fleet
and great number Of unarmored war
craft to take care Of any reinforce
ments that might attempt to come
from Spain to Cervera's aid.
The force that could be spared for
this service, without endangering the
integrity Of the blockade at Havana or
permitting the escape of Cervera
would be much larger than the entire
waters capable of crossing the Atlantic.
The news of the safe arrival Of the
Oregon in American waters was
source of great satisfaction to all naval
officials. The apprehension as to the
safety of the Oregon practically dis
appeared when the vessel reached Bar
bados and reported her arrival to the
navy department., but there was al
ways a chance that she might suffer
| from accident or hostile attack in the
short distance remaining on her home
ward journey.
Ever since the determination was
reached to invade Cuba before the dry
season next fall, there have been pub
lshed intimations that the delay in
beginning the invasion was attributed
to the navy. In other words the army
had long been prepared to start for
Cuba but could not do so for lack of
| conveys and ships to insure landing. 1t
can be stated on the highest authority
that the impression thus created is
wholly unjust to the navy and without
warrant in fact.
There never has been q moment
| when the navy was not prepared on
| instant notice to aid the army in eff
fecting a landing in Cuba. Nor has
the army been at fault in this matter.
1t was at first proposed to throw a
| small force of men or soldiers, about
l0,000 into Cuba Immediately and al
low the remainder of the army of occu-
patton to wait until next fall before
going over