The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-04
THE INVADING ARMY.
Gen. Shafter Ranking Ofiicer-Nigor-
Gus Preparations.

Gen. Shaftcr Ranking Ohcer-h igor
Gus Preparations.
TAMPA. FLA. May at IS now al
most certain that Brigadier General j.
+. Wade will have active command of the
United States trOOos IN the 1eld IN Cupa.
Both Generals Wade and Shafter Will, it
is said. accompany the expedition when
it sails. but the latter, although having
command with headquarters as ranking
general will nor direct the movement OF
the troops in the field.
Authority for such action, it Is as
serted. was received to-day from Wash
ington, although nothing Is obtaina0le
from official sources on the subject.
The arrangements for the embarkation
of the troops are being pushed with the
utmost yisor. The Florida and Oliyette
are being put in shape for the reception
of the soldiers. and the Masc0tte, which
came in to-day. Nwill be taken in hand
tomorrow and prepared for service as
transport. -
INSPECTING EQUIPPAGE.
Nearly every regiment in camp had a
rigid inspection to-day. The guns, am
munition and camp etdppage OF the
troops were carefully exqamined and IN
structions given to have everyfhlnS IN
the best possible shape for breaking camp
on short notice.
1rbe entire Twenty-secOnd regiment Of
infantry was vaccinated, notwithSt0hu-
ing the active preparations for service.
II ia hardly possible that the United
states forces will DO actually en- route
for Cuba before the first Of next week.
Four OF the necessary transports are not
as vet on hand. and it will probably be
sunday before all the boats are mere
and have received their coal and oJhef
necessary supplies.
once the order is given II Would nor
take long TO load, as everything possible
TO do. beyond the actual breaking OF
camp. has been done and in less tnan
twenty-four hours after the orders are
issued II is probable that every man gun
horse and pound Of supplies to be taken
would be safe on board the ships
MANY CUBANS ENLISTED.
The enlistment of Cubans for the regi-
ments. which are being formed mere Is
assuming large proportions. To-day there
were over 500 applications for service
most of whom will be accepted, and Work
in several OF the big tobacco factories
was practically at a standsulL Besides
the native Cubans, many young AmeH-
cans are enlisting for service under Co
mez. The companies OF Cubans already
formed here with tuose luht ftiif'N -N''e
night. have gone into camp in West ram
pa. and are being rapidly armed aud uni
formed. Their number was swelled To-Day
bv the arrival on the MascOtte Of $50 Gu
bans who had enlisted at Key West, and
who came here for organization and ar
mament. They were in charge OF Fernan'
dino Mendex. a native Cuban. who has
been active in fihbustering. and who has
conducted several successful expeditions.
Later In the day forty Cubans, all armed
with the deadly machetes and wearing
natty uniforms, arrived from Jackson
Vile. They also went into camp at West
Tampa
BOARD OF PROMOTION.
An examination board for promotion Of
infantry officers under the new army re-
organization bill, was organized to-day
and went TO work az once. The board
consisted OF Colonel r. II. Hall of the
Seventh Infantry: Lieutenant-Cotonel
McKibbon. Twenty-first Infantry; Major
j. w. Coe Twenty-hrst, Major j. y Kill
bourne and Captain William II. Steven
son, medical department. and Lieutenant
Colonel J. C. Gregg. recorder
Fifty-seven commissioned officers were
effected. including eight captains, twelve
first Heutenants and thiriy-ssven second
leutenants, under orders from Washing
ton. All examinations were made OF
rally, and officers were required 70 give