The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-17
The FERNANDINA CAMP
TROOPS TO BE CONCENTRATED
THERE AT ONCE
It Is From This Point the Expeditions
in Future Will Start-The War
Department Busy

WASHINGTON, June 16.-Many factors
are combining to make the military and
naval situation full of stirring activity and
this was shown today by the large crowd
which thronged the corridors of the War
and Navy Departments. The War Depart
ment is Fastening forward the preparations
at Fernandina, Fla, which will make that
point one of the most advantageous in the
country for the concentration of a large
body of troops. Notices have been sent TO
the civil authorities as well as army off,
cials, directing them to hurry the prepara-
lions. 1t is said at the War Department
that the special board which inspected
Fernandina found the proposed camp
grounds so suitable by natural conditions
and surroundings that several thousand
troops could be accommodated there today,
II 1t were necessary, TO institute the camp
at once. The department calculates that
the grounds will accommodate 10000 troops
when all preparations are competed. Sec
retay Ayers main purpose In sending the
special board south was to avoid repc;i-
tion of former experiences of having camps
occupied before they were fully prepared
in the way of water supply, the tenting
grounds, trenches, etc.
yet been formally presented to the Secretary
and while the report itself, when made,
will not recommend Fernandina as against
all other cities examined, yet 1t has been
made known to the Secretary that Fer
nandina has marked advantages for
camping ground, and without waiting fer
the report of canvasslng other localities, he
has ordered the preparation Of camping
grounds there.
In response to inquiries from congress
men reporting many other points in the
South. the department officials said today
that this preparation at Fernandlna did not
necessarily imply that Savannah. Charles
ton, Jacksonville and other points inspected
might not be utilized also for camping
grounds. The determination thus far, It was
stated, was to get ready at Fernandna and
have at least one available point thoroughly
prepared within the next few days.
The War Department will give no rtima-
ton as to how soon orders will be issued
for concentrating Of troops at Fernandina
but officials apparently take It for granted
that they will come very soon. now that
the camp grounds are being put into readi-
ness. 1t will doubtless be the rendezvous
for those troops at Chickamausa and else
where which have been ordered to receive
their full equipment. The various prepara-
lions have, as their main object, the de-
parture of a large expedition to Porto Rico
at an early date. IT vas confidently stated
by high officials within the last day or two
that It was expected the expedition could
be so rushed as to get it away within The
next ten days.
Whether the extensions, Preparations, the
moving of troops. the gathering of trans
ports and the movement in detail can be
executed in this time is open to doubt, al
though extraordinary execution marks
every branch Of the military service in ad-
vanclug the expedition to completion.
| The progress of General Skaters army
Of invasion also comes In for much atten-
| ton, both at the War ana Navy Depart
ments. for there is joint interest in the time
when the army can fully reinforce the gal
liant band Of marines, now holding the fort
at Guantanamo. No word is possible from
this expedition before tomorrow or next
day and then only in case Admiral Sampson
has succeeded in repairing the cable to
Guantanamo lie has buoyed the shore
end and the Navy Department is expected
almost momentarily 10 receive dispatch
direct from the flagship. If this operation
is not concluded in day or two then there
will be the day of waiting for dispatch boats
to reach Hayti, half a day after General
Skaters army of invasion arrives The
officials will not hazard a conjecture as to
the exact time Of arrival They say that
1t cannot be before tomorrow night at the
earliest and is more likely to be the day
following and possibly Sunday.