New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
GENERAL FRANK IN COMMAND
HE TAKES CHARGE OF THE DEPART
MENT OF THE EAST.

a TALK ABOUT THE DEFENCEH OF THE HAIR
BORIS IN HIS TERRITORY.
Brigadier-General Royal T. Frank assumed COM
mand OF the Department OF the East. L S A..
yesterday. succeeding Mator-General Merritt who
was In Washington on his way to his COM
mand in the Pacific Ocean. General Frank comes
to this city from Fort Monroe at Newport News.
Va. where he has been at the head Of the Gov
eminent School Of Artillery. for eleven years and
was also colonel of the LIST Artillery. Before that
time he was in command OF Alcazar Island and
Fort Point, at the Golden Cafe San Francisco He
saw field service a Regular Army officer after
graduation at West Point Military Academy. and
was in several hard-fought conflicts in the Civil
War winning two brevets for gallant and meri-
torious conduct.
The new commander found at Department
Headquarters Governors Island by a reporter
for The Tribune yesterday afternoon. He is about
sixty years old. Of medium height and well built
He wears grizzled mustache and his hair is
touched with gray.
Il seeking to familarze myself with the
situation" said he. FOR everything is to
here. But In few days hope to know all about
It. or course. the Notifications the main
thing In this Department especially in the vicinity
OF this city. have given much attention to ar
til'ery matters. and know Doth the theory and
practice OF artillery work. That was what | gave
my especial attention to at The artillery school
Our work there includes knowledge of defences
we'll OF guns
"In such as that Of Admiral Dewey mod
ern guns on shipboard able TO do a great deal
OF damage 10 old fashioned masonry Notifications
Guns are easily dismounted and rendered useless
under such circumstances Walls OF stone
practically defence against high power guns.
But In the Of Notifications along this
coast. which built carefully before the
excitement began. with rned disap-
pearng carriages behind strong earthworks
matter how large a fleet bombarded them they
would be practically strong ever after II was
all They will defy the strongest force that
can be brought 70 bear from the sea The only
hope Of invading fleet would be in being able
to run by. under the fire OF the forts. and seek
10 pass through the channel. and then other de-
fences come in play. and they can be sunk.
Il have been considering the question Of placing
troops garrisons at the various forts, so that
they may be properly equipped. The transfer Of
80 many batteries OF artillery some going 10 the
South for the Cuban army OF invasion. has rem
derei It necessary TO strengthen the forces at
the forts. We shall probably not place regiment
each fort. but a battalion Of say four hun
dred men. Thus. at the three forts which defend
the southern entrance OF NcwYork Harbor-Forts
Hancock. Wadsworth and Hamilton-which are
practically one. In that they all defend the
point. there will be a force Of twelve hundred men.
The modern plan Of defence Is 10 divide the forts
20 concentrate their fire from as many
points possible upon attacking feet and SO
compel the vessels to divide their fire and weaken
II much possible. ! have not yet declded
what troops to station at any point. bur will dis
tribute them satisfactorily as possible. The
troops Of this State will not necessarily be sent to
the forts about this harbor. but they will be sta
toned home seems best
There will be body Of troops AZ the
Hampstead camp. and possibly al Sea Grit. but
that matter is not yet fully decided. and am
giving II careful consideration. My assignment
TO the duties here was matter Of much surprise.
as was preparing 10 leave Fort Monroe 10 60 to
TAMPA when ordered here"
Have you selected your staff General"
Not as yet | have not named my per-
sonal aids There has been such demand for Of
ncers especially for the volunteer forces. that II
does not leave many available ones to draw from.
But shall be ready 70 announce the names Of
those who to be appointed in few days"
General Frank devoted himself yesterday to tho
routine duties 81 his Office closely. He will visit
the several forts about the harbor In few days.
40 as 10 understand the situation here and then
20 10 see those at Boston and the mouth Of the
Delaware River.
Major Lewis II. strother. Of General Merr!tts
stafr gave General Frank all the information at
his command yesterday morning In regard to the
situation IN the affairs OF the Department ana
then took an afternoon train 70 Washington. where
he Joined his chief. Besides Inspector General
Hughes Of the stan OF the Department OF the
East General Merritt took with him Captain W.
A. Simpson. Acting Ordnance Ofncer. who was re-
Gently assigned duty tho successor or Colonei
Rodgers when the latter was made brigadier-gen-
eral OF volunteers II was fully expected that the
lastnamed would succeed General Merritt In COM
mand OF the Department. but General Miles de-
sired 70 have his services in connection with the
protected bombardment OF Havana on the land
ward side by the guns 20 be carried with the siege
train which will accompany the army or CuDan
Invasion The rank of Brigadier-Generals FRANK
and Rodgers Is the same, "a each was colonei
Of regular artillery before being named nriSa-
dier-ge OF volunteers - go.
The transport Yucatan. carrying eleven water
d,,tlling and condensins apparatuses started yes
terday for Tampa Men were taken along 70 90
Inc work OF Installing the apparatus on each OF the
eminent FOR the use Of the Cuban invading army:
The Maverick. carrying one million gallons or
fresh water and Barge No. 81, carrying I'VE nun
dred thousand gallons started for Key "est yes
terday II the supply is not potable when IL restcn-
"a me Southern port II will be used for the boilers
Of the vessels ~ the feet. Contracts were made
yesterday large quantities OF coffee for the use
OF the Army. -, 49,. s,.o,..a ..
secure ,o,r more troopships. and Major Summer
HAYES inspected the New Orleans and the knicker-
hooker Of the Cromwell Line yesterday 40,
The work OF fitting up the new hospta-snip, me
John Englis for the use Of the Army VIII oegim
today AZ the Morgan Iron Works. Dr. Torney Will
have direct charge Of the changes 10 De mao IN
her which will take fortnight at least
SOME STATES STILL DELINQUENT.
THE ApJUrANT-0ENERAL ANNOUNCES THAT oND