The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-29

The necessity for what, for convenience,
may be called overflow camps for the
troops is becoming more apparent every
day. At Tampa and other places of concen-
rration, the accommodations have been ex-
hausted. The railway side tracks are CON
gested, the water supply is becoming a
serious question and suitable drill and ex-
ercise grounds have all been taken Al
ready several overflow camps have been
established, at Jacksonville, Lakeland and
elsewhere. The Presidents second call for
volunteers will still further increase the
demand for room and accommodations.
No place in the South Atlantic section
offers better advantages and facilities for
a camp of volunteers than the city and
vicinity of Savannah The transportation
facilities here are all that could be desired.
It would not be necessary to wait mo-.
ment for the building OF long side tracks.
The railroad yard room is amply suf-
ficient for any demands which might be
made upon 1t. The railroads which center
here afford direct connection, over perfect
roadbeds, with every section of the coun-
try while the distance to the embarking
points in Florida is short. Besides the rail
transportation connections we have here
water communication both north and
south. AS a matter of fact, troops for Gu
ba might be embarked TO better advant-
age here than elsewhere
There are a number of first-class camp
ing grounds in and around the city. The
water is pure and abundant, being from
he ,~it
abundance of the water which is available
should be very strong arguments in
favor Of establishing a camp here, The
water question Is a matter Of first impor-
lance in arranging for a mobilization of
men, and is one which has given more or
less trouble further south.
The congested condition of the railway
lines in Florida has resulted in some diff
Guilty In the matter of feeding the troops.
Supply trains cannot be moved promptly
to the points where the provisions are
needed This difficulty is one which will
be increased with every soldier sent to
Florida. No such drawback would arise a.
a camp at Savannah, and the establish
ment of a camp mere would tend to relieve
the situation of Florida
II is probable that the troops win not be
moved to Cuba for some time. Good policy
demands that the interval between the en-
listment and the embarkation be spent in
seasoning the troops in a coast climate
There is no better place in the South for
that purpose than Chatham county, and
the probabilities are that there is, as a
matter of fact, no other place that is Near
! ~ so good. The county is drained for sew
eral miles around the city. hence it is
| healthful. There are no miasmatic breezes
10 poison the night air. The volunteers. if
| quartered here, would therefore have the
benefit of becoming used to a coast climate
without the disadvantages which exist in
many other southern coast sections in sum
| mer.
Thus IL will be seen that In the essential
particulars of transportation, water, food
| supply healthfulness and convenience to
| objective points, there are the very strong
| est arguments in favor of the establish
ment of a volunteer camp heres These
| facts. and others, should and no doubt
viii be brought to the attention of the
| proper authorities.