The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-21
Preparations Under Way for supply
ing the Army with Pack Trains
when 1t InvaGes Cuba.
TROOPS STILL MOVING SOUTH
CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY READY
TO CAMP AT CHIGKAMAUGA.
scenes Attending the Departure OF
Soldiers from Northern Posts
Transports to he Chartered.

WASHINGTON, April 20--The topic of
absorbing interest in military circles to-day
Was the expected decision of the President
va Secretary Alger upon the question of
how to place the volunteer forces at the
service of the government No less than
three consultations were held to-day at the
White House on this subject, but it was
finally announced that it would not be pos
sble 10 issue the expected call fer. volun-
teers to-day. The District militia forces
have been offered to the government by
General Harries and there is some expecta-
ton that these will be the first Of the militia
forces TO be drawn into the government
service. Other events of the day al the War
Department were the return to Washington
and report of the artillery expert who in
spected the Southern Notifications and the
appointment of some new aids on the staff
of General Miles. Tho Ordnance Bureau
also made another heavy requisition for
funds.
The calling out of volunteers turns out to
be a much moro complicated question than
was at first supposed, and the officials in
desperation, arc. looking to Congress for i'm
mediate relief in their extremity. There are
all sorts of antiquities and conflicts in the
existing army laws which, 1t is said, consist
of nothing more than lot of patchwork
dating from the beginning OF the Republic.
1t is recalled that even President Lincoln
was obliged to call on Congress to validate
the calls he had been forced to issue for
troops, and no successful effort has been
made since that day to provide adequate
machinery where1J the government might
avail itself in 81 emergency of the vast
resources of the Unit ed States in the way
of troops One of the difficulties that con-
Cd ;ots hon,
supposed that the way had been cleared In
a certain measure fer the use. Of the Ma
tional Guard as United States volunteer
troops was a-confiict between Sections 11O5
and 1645, Revised Statutes. 1t was the pur-
pose of the department in Difference to the
wishes of the national guardsmea to allow
them TO preserve their own organizations In
the event that they are called into the serv-
ice of the United States. but the National
Guard are all reorganized on the three
battalion base. an infantry regiment con-
ssting of twelve companies, with three
majors battalion adjutants, etc. The regu-
lar army organization provides for one
major and g. very much reduced staff of
officers aadete companies. 1t is manifestly
impossible, therefore to muster the national
guardsmen into the army with the present
organization, and it is believed TO be mex
DeulSHL TO dtt6l1pl W ISOISdll1C AHC
on so short notice. Secretary Alger, with
General Miles, went over TO the White
House about noon and spent some time with
tho President in an attempt to find some
way to remedy this condition of affairs.
The present expectation is that General
Miles, commanding the army, will leave the
city on Saturday for tour of inspection
OF the points where the regular army VIII
be modified in the South. Re will be ac-
companied by number of his aids and the
first stop, it is now said, will be at the
Chickamauga battle field After spending
some time there the general will proceed TO
the other points. returning thereafter TO
Washington. The trip viii be primarily
one for inspection purposes, besides which
it will give General Miles and his aids much
information respecting the conditions exist
ing at various points for assembling the
Col. c. r.. Greenleaf, assistant surgeon
general. now stationed at San Francisco.
the staff of General Miles, and Captain
James Allen will serve on the staff a signal
officer. The latter has had considerable ex-
perience with General Miles and served
with him as signal officer in his Indian cam
paign. Captain S. Y. lseyburn, of the Tenth
Infantry, was also added to the staff
Cen A. w Greedy chief signal officer,
has detailed Lieutenant Joseph e. Maxiield.
stationed at New York, to take charge of all
matters pertaining to the question of pro-
viding balloons for the use of the army.
Lieutenant Maxfield has rendered efficient
service in supervising the work incidental to
the connection of the forts in New York
harbor by electricity.
Surgeon General Sternberg, of the army
has had applications for positions by over
1.0Gd persons in the medical profession The
surgeon general. however. thinks the regii-
lar army medical corps is adequate for all
present purposes. In the event of the occu-
patton OF Cuba. the department would make
an effort to obtain physicians WIN are i'm
mune To yellow fever for service there.
Col William Ludlow who has been or
dersd to Washington as chief engineer ofFi-
Ger on General Miless staff reported at
army headquarters to-day. He has been Ella
gagged on harbor Improvement work at New
York.
The Ordnance Department of the army to-
day made another request on the secretary
OF for large allotment of money for
guns, projectiles ard powder. 1t is said the
War Department is making arrangements
for purchasing an additional number of ma
chine rapid-fire guns in Europe.
Tie commissary office of the War Depart
ment has issued advertisements inviting
proposals for furnishing subsistence sup
plies for the army in such quantities as may
-