Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-01

Generals Miles and Brooke in Porto Rico.
inns Will be known as the provisional d-
vision and will be commanded by Major
General Wade, AT present in command at
Camp Thomas. chick;imauga. He is ordered
10 turn over that command to Major Gem
erai Breckinridge, inspector general of the
army and TO report TO Secretary Alger in
Washington for instructions before depart-
ing for Porto Rico. bringing with him his
adjutant general and aides The proyis-
iofaI division viii consist of fifteen full reg
iments. and General Wade will select them
not from the troops under his cid command
alone but with particular reference to an
equitabie representation In the Porto RIcan
campaign of all of the states of the Union
Secretary Alger feels that his department
has been subjected oisorne unjust criticism
upon the selection of troops. for active serv-
Ice and prononnces as without foundation
the aHegation that politics have dictated
these assignments. In the case of the Fifth
Illinois volunteer regiment, which was with
drawn from the Porto RfeAn expedition in
favor of the Indiana regiment just as the
troops were about 10 board the cars. 1t has
been already explained. by authority. that
the change was made in recognition of the
justness of the complaint that Illinois al
ready had two regiments in active service
at the front, while Indiana had not one.
Even In that case, however. Secretary Al
ger did not make the selection of the regi-
ment to be held back: he simply instructed
the general commanding the expedition to
select one Illinois regiment for detention,
without designating it,
Secretary Alger is Fastening preparations
at Montauk Point fer the reception of the
Fifth army corps now at Santiago. Sur
seon General Sternberg has Just dis
patched Colonel Forwood. of his bureau. 10
the site of the camp with instructions 10
erect at once d hospital capable of ac-
commodating no fewer than 800 soldiers
General Shafter has been authorized by
cablegram from Secretary Alger to no.
tify his soldiers of the good fortune. in
store for them. In order that the men NAV
be cheered up TO wait with patience for
their removal. This cannot be effected
Immediately, owing TO The condition of the
men themselves. The present plan ii 10
tegin, as soon as possible the transpor,a-
uon 10 Montauk Point of such of tho SOL
ciers as have recovered from the fever
and those who have not contracted it.
The sick must wait. for the physicians say
that the climatic change involved in bring
ng them North wonia prove fatal in many
cases. -,.-,- |
But the delay is not likely TO, be extended.
Surgeon General Sternberg says that con-
lalpGc.nca in |
mat at Santiago does not usually occupy |
more than ten days. although. as the sea- |
son runs on and the viruence increases, |
this period is greatly extended As soon
as that period is passed, the men will be |
embarked for home. The matter of trans
ports for this work is already under con- |
sideration and is likely to be adjusted very |
satisfactorily
The navy department has concluded that |
it can dispense with the four big Ameri- /
can line steamers. formerly known as New |
York, st. Louis, st. Paul and Paris, and
the war department has begun negotia-
tions for chartering them. Mr. Griscom.
the president of the line, will meet Colonel
Hecker, in charge of transportation. to-
morrow by appointment at the war de-
partment to make the necessary arrange
ments by which the soldiers of the Fifth
corps can make flying trips on these ves-
sells from Cuba to the North
The war department has corrected a
statement made yesterday as 10 the re-
markable casualties among the officers of
the Twenty-fourth infantry in connection
with the death of Captain Dodge What
every captain OF the regiment has been
either killed or incapacitated by wounds
or disease since taking the field in the