The age-herald., 1898-04-25
MESSAGE WILL
 BE SENT TODAY Asking Congress to Pass a Declaration Oi
 War. SPAIN HAS MADE REPLY To the UItimatum Issued by the United
 States Last Week. BANCROFT WILL SAIL FOR NORFOLK The Asiatic Squadron, Consisting of the 0lym- pa. Baltimore, Raleigh, Boston, Concord and PetreI, Will Leave H ny Kong.
 Sealed Orders.
BANCROFT WILL SAIL FOR NORFOLK


 mally declaring war against Spain will be introduced in the congress of the United States tomorrow. The decision to do so has been reached after mature deliberation in order to safeguard the interests of the United States. All the arguments pro and con were discussed this afternoon at the white house at a conference in which Pres ident Mckinley, Attorney General Brigs. Assistant Secretary Day and Senators Davis and Hale participated, and on it's breaking up announcement was made that congress tomorrow would be asked to de- clare war which it is held already exists.
 This was the most important Washington development of the war Sunday.
 The president will send message to congress tomorrow to be delivered immedi- ately after it's convening, setting forth the facts in the case, and asking congress to formally declare war in order that there may be no misunderstanding on the part of other nations. The most important point in the message from a news point of view will be the announcement that Spain has made formal reply to our ultima tum This reply has not been given to the public, and it was supposed that none had been received.
 STAINS FORMAL REPLY.
 The document is a formal acknowledge ment by Spain and also an acceptance by that country of the ultimatum as a virtual declaration of war Congress will, there fore be asked to recognize this condition of affairs and to declare it to the world, using Spain's concession as reason for 1t.
 The war resolution has been prepared and it Is understood the two committees hav- ing in charge the foreign affairs of the two houses of congress will be prepared to re- port upon it very speedily-probably inn mediately after the reading of the mes sage. An effort will then be made to have the resolutions taken up, and passed forth with, and it is not now believed that there will be any formidable opposition to this course in either house. Otherwise, the news of the day here related almost en- tirely to the expectation of plans hitherto announced.
 For the president and his cabinet circle, Sunday passed quietly ard uneventfully. Secretary Alger escorted his daughter to the white house during the morning. and the latter, in company with the president, attended divine service at the Metropoli- tan Methodist church. Secretary Alger going to Presbyterian church. Secretary and Mrs. Gage also drove to the white house and accompanied the president and Miss Alger to the Metropolitan. Mrs. Me Kinley has not yet returned from her trip to New York city. General Corbin and SecTetdTy AlSeT COHitTTeu III lue dllcIuOOh respecting the arrangements for calling on the governors of the states and territories for the quota of troops they are to furnish under the presidents proclamation asking for 125,00O men. The number of men in each branch of the service, viz: Infantry, cavalry and artillery seems to be settled besides many other matters of detail
 In the state, war and navy departments many of the officials were at their desks directing the execution of policies hereto fore determined upon. Neither Secretary Alger nor Secretary Long were on hand, but Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Assistant Roosevelt were on duty for sev- eral hours.
 Mr. Meiklejohn has already received a large number of applications from newspa- pers to permit their representatives to accompany the army but stated in the circular issued yesterday, the number to be accorded the privilege will be limited.
 TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS.
 In the quartermaster's office nearly the whole clerical force was on hand. The de- tails are far from complete, but Quarter master General Ludington believes every thing will be in readiness by the time the troops o,e ready to move. It may be that the railroad arrangements for the transfer of the troops overland will be left to the immediate charge of the quartermasters of the various army departments who are fully acquainted with the facilities at hand for doing this work. Some understanding with the railroads on the basis of uniform rates of travel will be arranged if possible so that the soldiers may be sent by the shortest possible route with the least charge to the government Questions of equipments of the troops with uniforms and tents also are to be settled, although many of the state organizations are pre- pared in this respect. The department has a number of branches in which tents, uniforms, etc., are manufactured, but it will be compelled to call in the services of outside firms to meet the present de- mands.
 General Miles was at his office in the war department for some time in conference with his staff officers. Anticipating active service in the field, the general has had manufactured several hundred sabretaches or officers dispatch cases which are in use among the European armies. They are manufactured of leather, are about nine inches square, and can be attached to the belt around the officers waist With them is a fairly good sized isinglass map case by which an officer may always have at hand an outline of the country he is traversing. It is said at the navy depart ment, that all naval militia which will be used in the deep sea patrol vessels already have been ordered to them. Those re- maining will be utilized in manning the signal stations along the coast, and the vessels of the close shore auxiliary fleet.
 Commander Richardson Glover expects that the gunboat Bancroft, which he is to command and which is now undergoing re- pairs at Boston, will sail for Norfolk in few days to take on her ammunition. The probability is that the vessel then will be sent to join Admiral Sampsons fleet.
 It is said to be definitely settled that Capt Albert s. Barker, number of the joint army and navy defense plan board. will command the protected cruiser Newark now fitting out at Norfolk. She will be ready for service some time in May.
 STEAM YACHT PURCHASED.
 Assistant Secretary Roosevelt today an- nounced that the government had pur- chased the steam yacht Aileen for the aux Hilary navy. The vessel, like so many others that have been acquired, is of light draught and excellently fitted for patrol duty in shallow waters. She is of 15l tons gross register. 1l9 feet. long and 20 feet