The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-22
Mayor MeIdrim Calls on Sec
rotary AIger,
SAVANNAHS SHOWING GOOD
No Additional Selections to Be
Made at Present.

later Calls for Volunteers May Re-
suit in bringing Troops to This
City-SaVannRh and SummerviIle
Believed to Have Been Reported
on FavOrabIy by the Board of
Army Ohicers-NO Camps to BE
Established at Any of the Small
Interior Cities-PrisOn for Captive
spanIardS Likely to BE Establish
ed in the SOuth-AlsO "A yellow
Fever Camp.
Washington, June 21.-Mayor Meldrim,
while here had an interview with Secre-
taIy Alger in behalf of the establishment
of one of the proposed military encamp-
ments a Savannah
The mayor ably and eloquently presented
10 the secretary the advantages which Sa-
vannah offers for military encampment,
and he apparently made very favorable
impression upon the secretary.
The latter, however, does not seem in
clined at this time to render any decision
as to the sites to be chosen beyond those
at Fernandina and Miami.
1t is asserted that the secretary has in
MUD the selection of one or more encamp-
lnents in the South as the war progresses,
but he does not feel the necessity of max
ing the selection now.
Later on, when the demands of the serv-
ice require a division of the present en-
campments, or the establishment of new
camps to meet the third or fourth call for
volunteers, the secretary desires to have
at his disposal several sites which may be
Immediately available.
It is for that reason he has thus far
Withheld the report of the board of officers
who recently inspected the sites at Sum-
merville, Savannah and other points in
South Carolina and Georgia.
The secretary desires to avoid any rival
ny between the competing cities, and for
that reason he directed the board to make
their Investigations without submitting
any recommendation.
It is known, however, that the board
presented many facts to show that should
either Savannah or Summervie be Sc
lected the troops win be well taken care of.
The board dwelt with considerable favor
upon the magnificent artesian wells sys-
tenn of water supply at summerville. and
that is one of the STRONG points in behalf
of the latter site.
The board also found much in Savan-
nah to commend, and .one of the officers
of the department, who is directly asso-
ciated with this question, suggests that it
is quite possible that both Summerville
and Savannah may be utilized by tie
secretary before the war is ended.
Cd I,oF CHI I,a a.vifa
ton OF the subject calculated to arouse
jealous competition or antagonze, as both
of the sites have many advantages which
the government may be only too glad to
have the benefit of al an early day.
Secretary Alger and Maj. Gen. Butler
had a long conversation at the war de-
partment to-day relative to the establish
ment of a military prison a a convenient
point in one of the Southern states for
Spanish prisoners. This subject had been
under consideration by the war department
officials for some time past, and Secretary
AlSer has consulted a number of promi-
nent army officers with view of obtaining
their opinions as to the most desirable
method of disposing of such prisoners as
may result from the pending war
Gen. Butler advises the secretary to ex-
change the Spaniards as rapidly as posi-
BILE, or to deliver thenNback in Cuba or
Porto Rico on parole.
In the event of a surplus of Spanish cap
tves provision will, have to be made for
them, and to meet that contingency, the
establishment of military prison at
some convenient point South has been
suggested.
II is understood that one of the sites
called to the attention OF the Secretary of
War is Mcpherson Barracks. Atlanta Ga
The Georgians are urging the selection of
that site with the same energy they dis
played in urging the location of a United
States prison at that point for the ac-
coinmodation OF civilian prisoners a few
II years ago.
Fort Monroe has also been suggested.
but no decision has yet been reached.
Gen. Butter spoke favorably of Atlanta
put from the remarks of Secretary Alger
mere Is disposition TO survey the field
carefully before making final choice.
IN TINS same connection there is talk
OF establishing a yellow fever hospital.
uhder the direction of the marine hospital
@rVlce Atlanta also puts in a claim for
,uat establishment, on the ground that At
sdita is one OF the few cities in the United
N states that throws open its gates to vel
low fever cases. At the war department
no trace OF the petition from Atlanta on
me subject of yellow fever hospital could
De located although such a petition is
SAID to be in existence
representative Lewis had been TRYING
to secure the location of some army caynns
at Americus and Cordele, according TO the
desires OF the people of those towns. He
Il va as informed that there is no chance Of
uiS location of camps in the interior.
Inc examination of those selected for
appolh,ments as second lieutenants in the
army IS 70 be held July l. The Southern
gTs are to be examined at Fort Monroe.
K ne 'IIee named for Georgia, Campbell
81 fed. 'S "eeH Hou-
Augusta becomes the rendezvous for a
regiment of soldiers This Is he To,ta
United states Volunteers, under Col. Lee.
cr,,,t[ olie ~ IN immune regiments to be re-
SKATERS POINT on LANDING.