New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
VAST WAR PREPARATIONS.
WHAT SECRETARY ALGER'S DEPART
MENT HAS ACCOMPLISHED.

War Department up to this moment In prepar-
ing the United States Army for war. Inc sec
rotary said that this matter which mao peen
carefully prepared by the heads or the various
da,artmonts Of course omitted thousands OF
details. but still 1; might convey to the Ameri-
can people some Idea of the vast work accom-
pl.shed by the Department up TO this time IN
assembling and equipping the great Army winch
Is now ready 10 carry out the Will OF the coun-
try in driving Spain from her last fooinold IN
the Western Hemisphere.
The statement comprises reports maze ny
Ouartermaster Ludngton Commssary-oeherai
Egan. Chief of Ordnance General FIaeier ana
Chief OF Engineers General Wilson. Inc hg-
ures run into vast amounts; for instance the
subsistence department showing that IL mas
since May II. or IN less than a MONTH loaded
twelve solid miles OF freightcars with PROVISIONS
for Uncle Sans Army. This Included 2ol-"V'o
rations Cor the Regular and volunteer troops.
These weighed 64,360952 pounds. or altogether
81. $50 tons.
The Ordnance Department worked under Pc
culiar difficulties, as the supplies required are
not articles OF commerce, and 1t is not easy
to induce private manufacturers to take UP their
manufacture involving as II does the installa-
ton OF new machines and tools. and the educa-
ton Of workmen In special lines. Still. the de-
liveries from the contractors have been stead
ily Increasing and are now about sufficient TO
meet demands.
ACCUMULATED BEFORE WAR BEGAN
Prior to April 81, in anticipation OF the present
emergency. this Department had been accumu-
Iat!ng small arms and cartridges for some time
and had about twenty millions Of all kinds on
hand There have been procured many millions
more bv manufacture and purchase since April
q. and the manufacture and delivery OF
small arm cartridges will soon reach 100000 per
day There have been issued 10 the Army small
arms OF all kinds and the supply Is sufficient
for anticipated wants.
Issue OF all equipments and arms has been
interfered with by delays in obtaining informa-
ton In regard 10 what Of these stores the regi-
ments have brought with them from the states
and the determination of exactly what was re-
Quired to complete the armament and equip
ment, and by the necessity for go making the
issues as to provide for future settlement be-
tween the States and the United States for the
part furnished by the States.
Since April p the old Regular batteries have
had their armament Increased from four guns
and cassons TO six guns and caissons. The new
Regular batteries have each been supplied with
six guns and caissons. and their battery wagons
and forges Heavy field guns with their calls
sons and harness have also been issued Six
teen volunteer batteries have been supplied
either in whole or in part.
The increased output from the arsenals and
contractors is such that no difficulty is 70 be
expected In supplying all anticipated calls Tor
guns carriages caissons and harness for light
batteries.
Since the beginning OF the war the Depart
bc gcid
5-inch Siege guns and finch siege howitzers.
with their carriages llmbers. platforms imple-
ments equipments, tools and chests complete;
also finch mortars. with carriages, platforms,
Implements equipments and tools complete. All
OF this siege material is OF the latest pattern
and newly Issued.
Three 6-inch field mortars which had been DIS
tributed for practice have been collected and
sent 10 Tampa. These are supplied with an
ample quantity OF ammunition.
Smokeess powder IL now being issued for all
field and siege guns although the first supply
sent was sphere hexagonal black moulded pow
der except that FOR the field mortars which was
Of the smokeless variety.
A supply OF Aeld and siege ammunition has
also been issued. and new supplies have been
ordered. and are being delivered rapidly The
supply OF ammunition already ordered for field
cannon is considered sufficient for the present
time. There have been shipped 10 the fortfca-
tons since April 81 many seacoast carriages.
guns FOR which already provided. Rapid fire
guns and an ample supply OF ammunition. car
tridges shells, shrapnel. fusees and smokeless
| powder for the same have been purchased. and
a portion Of them has already been installed at
permanent works.
STEAMERS CHARTERED AT LOW RATES.
The trad portation branch Of the Quarter
masters Department took precautions In adj
vance 10 secure steamers TO carry the troops to
Cuba An experienced officer YVES sent 10 New
York early 10 consult with the steamship com
| pnnies and inspect the vessels. His work was
so complete that when the call came the De
partment was in position TO secure from the
companies the ships that were needed The
policy was TO divide the call among the various
| coastwise lines IN order not TO interfere seri-
ously with their commercial interests. Conse-
quently the Department has been able TO make.
without friction, the most reasonable charters
| that the Government has ever secured
Up TO this date there have been chartered
| forty-one first-cass steamships for transports
| on the Atlantic coast four water vessels. one
| tug, three steam lighters and one steamer for
the Signal Service. All these had TO be fitted for
troops. animals and freight b. erecting hunks.
building animal pens and putting in extra tanks
for water. In addition. extra contracts had TO
be made for supplies OF coal and water at points
where troops were accumulated. The Govern
ment has now made NEST acceptable contracts
for coal at New Orleans. Mobile. Tampa. Key
West. Savannah and Fcrnanllna. and also for
coal anoat to follow the transports to Cuba and
| Porto Rico.
1t has been more difficult to secure ships
on the Pacific Ocean, not because OF unwilling
ness Of the steamship companies to give their
! ships but from the fact that they were not