New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
GETTING THE ARMY READY.
DAY OF GREAT ACTIVITY IN THE
WAR DEPARTMENT


Monday morning the earliest, There was no
specsl occasion for haste IN the matter he said
and there was also certain forrnalites 10 Nc Or
served in arranging with the railroad companies
FOR transportation. Although definite intor-
nation on that point could be obtained this
afternoon. It is said that the 9th Cavalry az
Fort Myer and the 4th Cavalry at WASHINGTON
Barracks. would hardly start on their journey
South before Monday evening or Tuesday morn
ne.
An important conference occurred this after
noon at the office OF the Secretary Of War. the
purpose OF which 10 perfect for the use OF
the National Guard OF the States and Territories
IN the National defence in case II should become
necessary 10 reinforce the Regular Army. There
were present Secretary Alger. General Miles
Adjutant- General Corbin. Colonel Wagner OF
the Military Bureau Of Information; Represen-
,ative Hull OF the House Military Committee.
and the AJjutart- General of the National
Guard organization OF nearly every State and
Territory in the United States. It Is said tina;
The conference VIII result in agreement as
10 q form Of legislation which will remedy the
present conflicting relations % the Regular
Army and the militia
PLAN AS TO VOLUNTEERS
Adjutan,- General Corbln said to-day that no
call for volunteers for military service either
militia men or others would be made unless
such step was authorized by Congress and
approved by the President. All the details OF
such call rested in the hands OF the President.
and so far as he General Corbin) knew nothing
had vet been settled in the matter beyond a de-
cision to make such a call In case it became
necessary and was fully authorized by the &C
ton Of Congress II was impossible for him to
he summoned under the first call. but in other
quarters it was learned that the President had
practically decided in the event OF legislation to
that end 10 issue a proclamation asking for
fifty thousand volunteers.
General Corbin said that II this was done the
call would be apporuoned among the different
states and Territories according 10 their popu-
lation and that the organization Of the forces
would be left entirely 10 the judgment OF the
Governments Of several States and Territories.
upon whom would devove also the duty and
power Of selecting all the officers Of the dnerent
volunteer organiza tons. The War Department
recognized the complete jurisdiction Of the Gov
ernors In the matter OF the organization Of the
volunteer troops raised in the respective states.
Secretary Alger in reply to specific inquiry
on the subject. said that no call on the militia
Of the several States would be made by the
President until Congress should pass resolu-
ton of intervention.
BUREAU OFFICERS HARD AT WORK.
The action thus far taken by the Government
IN the matter Of troops has been confined 10 the
issue Of orders for the concentration Of the Reg
,,,sr Army IN the South Yesterdays order FOR
.he troops 20 move involves in all about 1000
men Every bureau Of the War Department
has been called on 70 participate In some way
n, shk carrying out 81 the orders issued yester-
dav. The officers IN command Of the regiments
which are 10 move have responded with alacr'ty
ard promptness 10 General Miless orders. and
have indicated their intention 10 proceed ar once
-,r-rrrztr destination.
Ouarterrnaster- General Ludington said to-day
that all commanders would issue short-tirne ad-
vertiser1ents inviting proposals for transporta-
ton from which such selections would be MADE
as seemed 70 the best interest of the Govern
rnent. lie did not think any of the commands
would move before Monday. after which time
they would follow each other rapidly on the
trip South Already officers % the Quarter
masters Department are on their way 20 the
mobilization places u secure accommodations
for the troops and make other necessary ar
rangements Acknowledgement Corbin reports
everything working smoothly toward the sue
cessfll carving out of the order issued by Cen
erai Miles yesterday.
MILES NOT GOING SOUTH AT PRESENT
General Miles IS still undecided as 10 the exact
time Of his departure WIKI his headquarters Tor
the front but Il IS now considered improbable
that he will leave Washington until the invasion
q Cuba actually begins. where he VIII undouot-
edlv assume command IN the field. The PROPOSE
ton for him 70 move his headquarters az once
- Atlanta has been abandoned for the present
20 n IS considered essential that he should re-
main here - consult with the President While
directing tho mobilization OF all forces when
ara 70 be summoned for the campaign with
the extensive Geographic facilities available
here the generals commanding the four dlVis-
ions already ordered 10 assemble a. Chlcha-
rnauga. New-Orlears, Mobile and Tampa VIII
maintain close relations with headquarters d
Washington until the campaign actually begins.
The expectation is that when he does go ne VIII
take with him his personal stan as lo'o"S'
Northumberland G. Gilmore ANU 'a''
General; CAPTAIN F Michler. 9th Cavalry; Cap
tain NJ p Maus. 1st Infantry; Captain hd"ard
Davis "a Artillery and chief Clerk y Nor
ton. of the Generals Office. who will look a''e'
the correspondence. etc.
Consul-General Lee spent a great part OF 'he
DAY at the War Department in consultation with
Secretary A,ger. presum bly, for the purpose OF
giving the latter the benefit Of his Information
respecting the condition OF the Spanish military
forces on the island Of Cuba and the defenceS
~ It's harbors.
NEW DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS
The following is copy Of the order issueu
today by General Miles regarding the tempo-
rary commands Of departments made vacant
by tho detail ~ their commanders 70 brigades
of the Army 30 The south.
Brigadier-Gereral William T. Shaner VIII
transfer, temporarily. the command Of me De
yartment az California 10 BrigaIler-Geherai
henry O. Merriam. who VIII continue to com
D.ft4 Of = Le