The record-union., 1898-05-10
Proclamation of the President Thank
ing Dewey and His Men.
The War Department Gives Out Information
as to Where the Various State VOL
unteer Organizations Are to
Be Concentrated.

best authority for the statement that,
to-day having passed without a report
from Admiral Sampson, the Navy De-
partment does not expect to hear from
him within several days The author
ity for this statement is fully acquaint-
ed with Admiral SIMPSONS plans, and
the remark would seem to indicate that
the Admiral, having failed to find the
enemy at the place expected, had turn
ed his attention to the alternative pro-
ject. What this is cannot be ascer-
tanned. 1t is evident, however, that the
department is under no apprehension
as to the safety of the American fleet
or Of any vessel Of the fleet.
The War Department to-day saw fit to
crafty the universal desire, and in
formed the country through the press
just where the various State volunteer
organizations are to be concentrated
1t is the first time that any official
statement has been made as to the
points of concentration themselves
ment is thought in some quarters to
warrant the assumption that it contem-
plates a speedy movement of the United
States military forces upo-. CubG, and
with much greater force than was orig
inally planned. The War Department
officials refuse to say anything on this
point, but there is every evidence that
they expect a short, sharp, conclusive
and immediate campaign, such as could
not be waged by 5000 or 10000 soldiers
1t is also to be noted that preparations
made by the Quartermaster's Depart
ment and the Commissary Department
so far as it is disclosed by actual or
ders, indicate that provision is being
made for modifying, transporting and
feeding many thousands of men outside
of the United States
With a view of systematizing mobiliZ-
ing of the forces, the War Department
has planned a scheme which it is believ-
ed will very much hasten the work OF
getting the men together and equipping
them, while avoiding any congestion OF
the railroad traffic such as is always tC
be apprehended in cases of war. Instead
of allowing all the troops called fol
from a particular State to be assembled
and broken in at the rendezvous, the
department is instructing its mastering
officers to complete the organization OF
regiments as rapidly as possible, and as
soon as one is offered to report the fact
to the department, when that regiment
will be ordered at once to the point OF
selection. In this way the Government
will be relieved greatly in the distribu-
ton of stores, which will be called only
as fast as they are needed.
The men will also be more amenable
to discipline when quickly transferred
to the concentration points outside their
own States. 1t is the expectation that
the first regiments organized and re-
pored from the States will be sent to
Chattanooga, thence going to Cuba via
Mobile, Tampa. New Orleans and Gal
weston, for expeditions Will be dis
patched from each of these ports. The
Governor of a State will have no hand
in the designation of the regiments tc
go TO particular concentration camps
the destination will depend upon the
promptness with which the volunteers
are ORGANIZED and are ready for trans.
portation. Probably about one-thirf
90 ~ o,,+;,a low coIIad for nv the Pres.
ident. or about 10000 troops, will con-
stitute the force to be sent South to take
part in the first Cuban service, follow
ing the regular army forces. Thesf
troops will be the first to receive theil
equipments, just as was defined in Gen
eral Miles circular issued to-day. Wher
they are organized, equipped and con-
centrated the Government will be ready
to equip the second contingent, namely
the forces about equal to another thirc
of the total call, which will be assigned
to the defenses of the coast and har-
bors, replacing the regular United
States troops withdrawn from these
posts
When these are equipped the Govern
third class, comprising the last third
of the Ia, 900 volunteers called for. II
is the sincere hope of the department
that it will not be called upon to fully