Hutchinson gazette., 1898-04-28

0UUOU troops Oelng concentrated mere
Chickamauga battlefield is an ideal
point for drilling purposes, according
to the generally expressed opinion of
army officers here, and it is quite prob.
able that this point viii be the rendez-
vous for nearly the entire augmented
| force of the regular army.
WASHINGTON, April "A. The war do
partment has as yet set no date for the
moving of the army of occupation
across to Cuba. There are a number
of veXing problems to be met in this
connection. The first plan of the
president and the secretary of war
contemplated the landing of small
! force of regulars at one of the ports of
Cuba other than Havana, but it is said
that this idea has been abandoned and
that the present plan is to land an army
of between 10000 and $4,000 men to
join as soon as possible with the
insurgent forces, and to march
without delay against Havana.
The consideration which commends
this plan to the president and to
the secretary of war is that in this
way quick and effective blow can be
struck and Il termination of nostilities
! in Cuba, at least, be speedily accom-
/ plished. But tine getting together of
an army of 10000 to $4,000 men ready
work of day. Nor will it be the work
of week For the making up of
, such an army, 5000 20 81 900 volun-
teers would be necessary to join the
regular army of 25 0OO. These volun-
teers would come from the organized
state militia, it is true but there are
many things that will have to be
done before the state militia is ready
in every respect for the campaign.
In the first place, many of the
state troops will have to be provided
with new weapons, The reports of the
last inspections made showing that
some OF the state troops are still using
olG-strle guns, which would be alto
gether ineffective in the present emer-
gency. The reports show, also, that
the tentage of the guard in some of
the states is inadequate and that their
mess outfits are poor Then. too, there
is the matter Of furnishing the state
troops with supply Of ammunition.
The plan which the department has
adopted in regard to the state troops is
to mobilize them all at Chiciamauga,
where there will be thorough in
spection by the officers of the regular
army After they have been put
through in thorough good order then.
they will be sent to one of the south
ern ports for embarkation to Cuba.
War Bills Introduced In the House.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-Congress-
man Brown has introduced bill to
recognize the services of soldiers and
sailors and encourage patriotic re-
sponses to calls for volunteers The
bill provides that all persons who are
now, or who shall hereafter be honor.
ably discharged from the military or
naval service of the United States
shall be eligible for appointment to all
offices and positions in the civil service
of the United States without any test
other than that which the heads of de.
partments may prescribe. Congressman
Griffin has introduced bill authoriz-
ing the president in his discretion
To accept the services OF retired officers
in time of war Congressman Brown.
low has introduced bill authorizing
the postmaster general to designate an
inspector of the post office department
as chief of the military mail service.
The officer so designated is to bear the
relative rank of colonel in the regular
army. He, together with an officer of
the army, not above the rank of lieu.
tenant colonel, to be designated by the
secretary of war, and an assistant su.
perintendent of the railway mail serv.
ice, who shall act As field officer, shall
form commission in charge of army
mails. under the direction of the post
master general.
Gen. Miles to Command.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-Gen. Mile,
has decided to take the field and will
lead the army in Cuba. He has per
lGtlCu al AOA NhAo hhkJ'
has selected the officers who will com
pose his staff and has arranged for their
accommodation. His departure will be
with the first shiDs that leave this
country. These troops are likely to be
regulars and from present indications
and according to the existing plans the
soldiers will not depart for Cuban ports
until the volunteer army. has been
raised. There has been some talk OF
transporting the troops to Cuba within
week. but any such action has been
deemed in some military quarters in
advisable and premature. 1t has been
pointed out to Secretary Alger and the
president by their advisers in the war
that 1t is desirable to so
time the arrival of troops in Cuba as
to sustain the navy when IL shall have