The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-28
WON'T MOVE TROOPS NOW.
Invasion Not to he Thought of While
Cerveru Ia AfiOat.


Washington, May 2.-The military situ-
alton as at present determined upon by
those in authority is to make no forward
movement of troops either upon Porto
Rico or Cuba untn fun and definite in
formation is received as to the location Of
the Spanish squadron, and Its possibilities
as a factor in the aggressive moves Of
Spain.
For the last few days army circles have
shared public belief that the Spanish ships
were trapped in Santiago de Cuba har-
hor. and that has given impetus to ar
rangements by which large bodies of
troops at Chickamauga and elsewhere
might be moved forward rapidly to Tampa
for embarEation The presence of thirty
OF more transports in Florida waters add
ed to the conviction that a movement on
a large scale was about TO occur
All this has been going on with the
understanding that Admiral Cervera's ca
reer as a possible menace in the rear of
the troops had been cut off by his being
securely he'd In Santiago harbor, but in
the absence Of positive information on TINS
point there Is no purpose whatever ON the
part of the war department to make an
aggressive forward movement on cuba or
Porto Rico This was stated tonight IN
the most positive manner, and from an
authoritative source.
1t can be again affirmed on the highest
authority, and Notwithstanding all rumors
to the contrary, that at the close of the
day the department had nothing more than
a belief founded on unofficial advices, that
the Spanish squadron was lying in Santa
so harbor, and no news as to Commodore
Schley's whereabouts.
However the great majority of the Off
Gals of tine navy department entertain no
doubt that Admiral Cervera is within san
tiago harbor and they have succeeded in
impressng this belief upon the President
and the members Of the cabinet.
II w1s announced to-day that Mr. Hoi-
land the inventor of the submarine boat
OF that name, was expected here to-rnor-
row to discuss with Capt. O'Nen, chief OF
ordnance, the feasibility of using the nove
craft In an attack upon the spanish
squadron at Santiago If the vessels arc
still there. The officials are disposed tc
receive IN a kindly spirit any suggestion
that might prove 10 be valuable In this
line and they VIII talk with Mr.. Holland
over the details Of such a scheme probably
on the basis Of a compensation to be paid
to him for each Spanish vessel destroyed
An important phase to the military pro
gramme Is a decision not to take up the
details OF organizing the new force OF 49,
coo volunteers for al least a week or ter
days
II the regiments under the first call are
to be brought up TO the maximum strength
Il viii take about 1900 men from the sec.
ond cali to complete the l25 regiments un-
der the first call. This will leave $500
men TO be organized in distinctly new reg
imehts
The war department Is anxious to OBJ
tain the views OF the Governors of th'
states and territories In regard TO ta'
! filing to their maximum strength the reg
iments already furnished by them undel
the first call of the President for 1850
men, and with this object la view, Adjt
! Gen. Corbin, at ihe direction of Secretary
/ Alger to-day sent kilograms asking th
several governors to make recommenda
| uons to the department on this sub1ect
The question arose to-day as to whethe
colOred officers as well as colored troop
| would be taken as part of the organiza
tions offered. Gen. Alger at once decide
/ that II a cOlored company had efficient sol
| d.ery, under colored officers they were
! much entitled 10 recognition and accept
! ance In he military service as were tn
/ troops themselves. In this connection II de
! veopcd that colored men are being con
! sldered for me,of the staff appointment
] and the surgeon general of the army ha
accepted a colored man as surgeon, wit
| the rank Of captain. The colored surgeon
| will be assigned 10 a colored regiment, am
| colored troops and colored officers will b
| kept together as far as possible.