The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-20
NATIONAL GUARD
GETS FIRST CHANCE.
As Volunteers Will Be Ac-
cepted Before All Others.
CALLED FOR THREE YEARS
Present Officers Will Hold Com.
missions Up to Colonel.
Cold BleeaeA Attenpa ~ ship Ovvu-
ers 60 EAleaA Their veasels On The
G0vernmens ~ ExtRavagnat
Prices-Araer VIII Ne Placed on
Auxiliary Cruisers ts Pretee1
Their Engines and Boilero-TAo
sspPiy ef MeAern Gsns Ii Nearby
EnAausted, and Ola CenveFtsA
smooth Deres Win Ne utiiissA.

WASHINGTON. April ls.--Arilitary And
naval preparations continued today With
unabaied v.gor. Seven fees steam yachts
suitable for navigation In Cuban waters
were procured. aud several BIDS for steam
coli.ers were made. Arrangements are
making 10 utilize a number OF the powerful
converted smooih-bore guns. survivors o9
the late war. as armament for the auxil-
Larry cruisers. Many agents for ship own.
ers were at the navy department todAys
offering to sell craft to the governmeats
but the prices are said to be excessive. end
no purchases were made.
The important event In the war depart.
men, was the decision 10 enlist only No
tional Guardsmen under the first -all foe
troops. which win be very gratifying to
milit.amen. Some idea OF the cost ee
transporting troops may be formed fFom
the fact that II was necessary to allos
n.ooo.oo today to dsfray the expenses e
from all over the country this morning In
dicated that tho movements were going
on with the most gratifying cslsrity. =
picturesque array Of wariikA conditions
was presented right In Wasninoton BY the
departure OF the Sixth cavalry. and oecr
retary Alger. busted an he was with on.
ciai Tasks. managed 70 make time % ee1
10 tho station to see them an. An ailol.i
ment Of funds for baIloon service shews
that the war department does not propose
to ignore any OF the latest seicntific ai6s to
warfare.
Cell Ter voIsnteers.
The authoritative abatement was made
at the war department today that on tho
sirst call for troops only the National Guard
would be given opportunity to volunteer
for service In war. This statement Il Ia
accordance with that made by Secretary
Aiger to the National Guardrmsn who
called on him Saturday. when the modt-
fed Hull bin for the expansion Of the
army was under consideration.
Secretary Alger thinks that such 4
course Is in keeping with sound discretion
and the dictates OF common sense, for the
organized militia have gone to great q.
pense and have devoted mush time to
Any other course. he believes. would -
destructive TO the best interests Of the
Guard As far as practicabie the etata
organizations entering the volunteer esr-
vice win remain intact. the xovernoru &C
the various states being permitted. g
they were In 1851. To designate regimnnta1
officers. which VIII include those q thn
grades OF second iieuieaanfs to coiousls.
The president viii reserve 70 himself tae
right to appoint the STAN and field %.
GERS.
Many applications have been made e
the war department Tor permission g
volunteer. and among men OF all creesis.
nationaiit.es and politics theirs II e.
pressed intention and desire TO upflo.d the
homer aud integrity OF ths nag Of the
republic. 1t ls stated today that the fIrse
cal: for troops would be for. A.oo0 rssn.
which IL is believed will exhaust the en-.
tire available strength Of the National
guard at this time, after deducting those
who are sick and otherwise incapaeitxsed
for service. The who.e strength OF the
Guard as reported TO the department Il
1890
Secretary A!gsr made several a.iofmenie
from the emergency fund. One maIsion
dollars was given for the aaaFtsrrnastsr,s
department only to meet sxsraordinarx
expenses In the transportation Of troov0
and munitions Of war. $1,000 for war bali
looms ard ssego for perfsctlng the army
teiegrapssc service. Gen. Greely tho sig.
nal officer. In a syaunch advocate Of the
use OF balloons al the paTsous porfa of
the country and In regular fed service
Tryfng 10 Ctsch the Goveraaeaa.
A great deal OF Indignation sas bsea
expressed by naval officers over she cod
hlooded attempt Of persons owning vesxese
or acting 2s their agents 10 extnrt fre0
the government SUMS Of money largely &
excess Of the value ~ their worth. 1omo
complaint II also mads ~ TO many 6nAo
OF military and naval supplies. alshoufh
IL ls gratifying 70 note that In few ex-
cepsionzi eases OF the tube making ara
hotter making frrna and some amnuni-
ton firms. a disposition has been showe
70 give the government the best pr.co
and time Of delivery.
The navy department has ARRANGED e
place some lIaht armo9 on thA far -