The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
Beautifully Engrossed Copy Of Resolutions Passed by
Congress Thanking Admiral DeWeyHas Been For
Warded to That Officer -26I, 400 Men Recruited.

Washington, July 2s.-such progress
has been made that 1t is hoped all of the
troops will be on Porto Rican soil within
a week at the latest. General Miles is
not expected to defer his landing until
that time, but presumably will pick out
asuitable place for encamping his troops
and establishing himself ashore. wait
Ing the arrival Of the other detachments
now on their way. 1t will be at least
Saturday before direct communication
can be established with him. and In the
meantime reliance must be had on the
dispatch boats running across to st.
Thomas. distant about four hours run.
The work Of embarkation at Hamp-
ton roads is being conducted with much
less difficulty and delay than was ex-
pected. Colonel Hecker has reported to
Secretary Alger that 1t is eminently
suited to the shipment OF the troops.
Consequently the secretary has ordered
oil OF General Grants brigade, 5000 men.
from Chickamauga to Newport News.
1t Is not expected that all Of the trans
ports required for their accommodation
Will have arrived there by the time the
soldiers get in. but they will encamp on
suitable ground there and ii is believed
they will be benefited by the change
from Chickamauga.
The signal service has succeeded in
retaining from the battlefield Of San
tiago the tubes which supplied the mill
tary balloon with pure hydrogen gas,
and they, with the balloon itself, have
been brought to Tampa. The tubes will
be recharged and the whole apparatus
Will be dispatched at once to Porto Rico
TO assist General Miles in his campaign
there. The balloon is said to have proved
or great value In the Santiago cam
paign, and from the character of the
country In Porto Rico IL Is believed that
1t also can be used to advantage there.
Secretary Long has forwarded to Ad-
mlral Dewey the joint resolution ex-
tending the thanks OF the congress for
the victory achieved at Cavite. The
resolution was beautifully engrossed
and prefaced by formal attestation of
its authenticity by Secretary of State
Day. the whole being enclosed in richly
ornamented Russia covers. Secretary
Long, in his letter of transmittal, makes
reference to letter from the secretary
upon his direction of Affairs since the
great victory. formal evidence that the
department is thoroughly well satisfied
with the diplomatic qualities the ad-
miral has exhibited.
Rumors Of various kinds have been
In circulation as to the disposition of
General Skaters army, but the war
department has not come to any CON-
clusion as yet in the matter A suf-
ficient forceis to be kept at Santiago to
maintain the position the United States
has taken and preserve order. While
there is yellow fever In the army no at
tempt will be made to bring the troops
to the United States. The department,
1t may be stated. Is now bending every
effort to secure an ample supply OF
nutritious food, and also will see that the
soldiers have rest and careful atten-
tion SO that they may get into the very
best condition. The medical corps Is
making careful examination of the
army with a view OF advising the de-
partment as to the best methods of re-
storing the sick 10 health and prevent
ing further spread OF the disease 1t is
not believed that a large number of
troops will be necessary at Santiago
after the Spanish prisoners have been
deported. but the department awaits
further developments before deciding
upon a course.
in the 90 days which have elapsed
since the president issued the first call
for volunteers. an army of PSI. 400 men
has been recruited. mustered, equipped
and placed in the field. an achievement
that has elected surprise and admira-
tion from the best informed military
authorities of Europe. The personnel
OF the army is far superior to that OF
any body OF men hitherto raised for
military purposes by the United States.
Every man recruited. whether for the
regular or volunteer army. has under
gone careful examination by disin-
terested and competent officers. AS a
general proposition therefore the army
is physically without flaw. Quite
naturally the requirements for the regu-
lar service are more rigid than those for
the volunteers because recruits for the
regular army. being considered more
as individuals, are obliged to undergo a
more severe examination than the vol
unteers, many OF whom are taken into
the service as organizations. The state
ment indicates that only one In four ap-
plicants for admission to the regular
army was accepted by the mastering
officers and medical examiners In this
way a notably high class OF men has
been secured for the army.
OF the 2l6.5oo volunteers authorized.
212.ooO have been placed in the field.
nearly all Of them fully equipped. In a
few days the entire volunteer army will
be thoroughly organized into regiments.
brigades. divisions and army corps. The
aptitude for military discipline and in
struction which the volunteers has
evinced has created surprise among the