Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-31
No Cessation on Work of Military
Preparations.
CAMPAIGN PLANS CONSIDERED
Discussing the Need fos More
Coaling Stations.
ALTERING SMALL BOATS

Incre was no cessation To-Day III the AK
traordinary activity which has prevailed
at the Navy Department during the past
month. Now that many of the emergency
preparations are well under way so far as
the department proper is concerned more
attention is being devoted to the broader
question of plan of campaign in the event
of war. Under this head comes the neces-
sity for the establishment of derots to be
used as bases of supplies, and this
IT after the commercial interests of me
country are making themselves heard. The
citizens of Louisiana realizing the desir-
ability and practicabiity of New Orleans
as a supply center for troops that may be
located in the south, have called the at
tention of the Navy Department to the
merits of that place. Senator McEnery
and Representatives Myer. Ogden and
Davy Of Louisiana called on Secretary
Long today and supplemented the repre-
sensations of the merchants who were here
last week in regard TO the advantages Of
New Orleans as a base of supplies. They
represented that the city is some distance
fiom a gulf. Is reasonably safe from attack
by fleet and is a great railroad center.
The delegation also spoke to the Secre-
tary in regard to the question of defensss
for the city, but the Secretary expressed
the opinion that with a formidable fleet in
the gulf and such Notifications as were
already in existence the city Is well pro-
tected.
Another COaling Station.
Another delegation that called on Secre-
tary Long during the morning was made
up Of Representatives McNillin of Tennes-
see. Underwood and Wheeler of Alabama
and LASER of Georgia They came to talk
about the matter of the selection Of q coal
ing station On the gulf or the Atlantic
coast, somewhere in the neighborhood of
the headquarters of the gulf fleet. Already
the department has taken steps for the es-
tablishme1t of station at Tortugas, but
as this is inadequately defended at the
present time little difficulty would be ex-
perienced by hostile fleet in destroying
If. Four places which in the opinion of the
delegation would make desirable locations
for coaling stations ere Tybee Island. Fort
Morgan. Pensacola, Fla, and Mobile. 1t
was said by one of the members after
leaving the Secretary that they were prac-
t.cally agreed on Tybee Island as a second
choice il their individual preferences in the
selection of place could not be acquiesced
in by the department.
Secretary Long informed the visitors that
the establishment Of coaling stations in
accordance with their wishes was a matter
entirely in the hands of Congress- as such
action would involve the expenditure of
money, for which provision would have to
be made by that body. He was interested
in the project, but in the absence of the
necessary legislation cid not see how he
could comply with their wishes.
Visitors to the Military Secretaries.
Secretaries Long and Alger had their usu-
al rush of visitors today. Among those at
the Navy Department were Senators Platt
Gear and T1llman and Representative Bar
rows OF Massachusetts, Senator Tillman
made inquiries concerning the condition of
the Port Royal dry dock. The latest re-
ports received at the department indicated
that work at that place was progressing
steadily in the draining out of a basin at
the entrance to the dock, so that vessels
can enter and leave either at high or low
tide.
Senators Proctor and Mason and Repre-
sentative Smith of Michigan had confer
ences with Secretary Alger during the day,
and Senators Frye and Fairbanks were
among the congressional callers on Assist
ant Secretary Day at the State Depart
ment
Militia of the Cnited States.
The military information division of the
war Department has made public a table
showing the strength of the militia of the
United States 1t. also gives data as to the
number OF men liable to military duty in
formation in regard to appropriations, COM
pany officers. encampments. mobilization,
ETC. The table is compiled from the re-
ports made to the department by army off,
GERS detailed for inspection duty with the
militia Of the states The authorized
strength of the militia OF the entire coun-
try Is ls6.siS, while the aggregate actual
strength is 1874 made up as follows:
Infantry OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 100 10
Aithefy ................. 6,OJJ
Oovohy --........ 4,yIS
oPSSadi IoopS..... ..-....... 2,Z1O
Generals and star officers. S78
Non-commissioneds staff officers. 400
The total number Of men liable to mill
tarY duty in the country ia 10 274 100 Stota