The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-23
War and Navy Departments Are Fitted for Operations
and Schemes Have Been Arranged for the
Movement of the Troops

nance made over fifteen years ago, iron
Fort Winthrop. In Boston harbor. to For
Morgan. at Mobile, Ala. Is said bv Brig
adler General Flagler, chief Of ordnance
to be a mere matter Of routine. Two S-incl
rapid-firc disappearing guns are In position
at MOBILIZE and carriages for the converter
S-inch guns of the old tyne. having beer
recently shipped frp,a Watervliet arsenal
reQuisition was made for the delivery a
Mobile for some OF the guns which wer,
stored at Fort Winthrop. Such shipment,
are OF weekly occurrence, and while the re.
suit is to steadily put coast dafenses In NOR,
efficient condition, no movement OF ord
nance that has yet been made has any spe.
cial significance.
It is no secret that the adjutant gem
erals Office is thoroughly informed as to
the strength Of the military organiza Ions
of the various States. and the most elab-
crate detailed plans are on file at the
department with regard to their mobiii-
cation on different basis, according to diff
ferent degrees of necessity, as well as TO
problems of subsistence, transportation.
clothing, ammunition. etc. The great
railway systems of the country are pre-
pared 10 transport at the shortest notice
large bodies of troops TO points OF rendez-
yous, together with all the stores OF the
quartermaster's subsistence and ordnance
departments, and arrangements are per-
fected by which adequate transports for a
large number OF troops may be furnished
from the Atlantic and gulf coasts in case
OF emergency. 1t has been estimated by
the officials OF the Pennsylvania Railway
that they can transport 100000 troops over
their system in from twentyfour to thr-
ty-six hours. 1t is likewise stated that
several divisions could be assembled in
the Ohio valley and transported to the
Ia
case of actual hostiities the regular in
fantry cavalry and artillery, according to
the plans of the department could be
drawn from the interior posts and
distributed among the seacoast fortifica-
tons, Militia summoned by the president
would be assigned to the same points and
assmilated as fast as possible with the
regular troops.
The guards of New York, Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts, Delaware. Maryland and
District OF Columbia are considered the
mcs5 efficient military organizations OF
their kind in the country, and it would be
from these troops that the most efficient
aid could be drawn. The president, how
ever. is not empowered to call for por-
ton or the entire militia OF any or all
States as such, He can either call for
try at large, or which would be unlikely
to be done, he may authorize the impresa-
ment of any citizens of the States selected
by enlisting officers. In order to enlist
in the United States army the militia of
the States, as at present organized the
order of the governor of the State to that
effect Is necessary.
BEYOND making a few necessary pre-
cautions to meet any emergency that may
arise, the navy department is not just now
distui bling itself over the many war rumors
which have been afloat since the De LONE
incident and the destruction of the battle
ship Maine. Naval preparations have really
been going on for long time The monitors
Puritan and Terror will be kept In com
mission and the work on the repairs TO
The former vessel are being pushed at the
Norfolk navy yard. She will be ready for
active service in two weeks. The Terror is
ready for sea Department officers say that
the only significance which can be attach
ed to this incident is their desire to keep
the navy up to a certain strength and
that by the loss of the Maine it was re-
duced below the minimum. Consequently
it was determined to place the two mon