The times., 1898-05-20
THE COUNTRY Is IMPATIENT
So Far the War Has Brought Moth
ing But Additional Suffering to
the People of Cuba nnd the Presi-
dent Fears the Political Eject of
Longer Delay.

how far the work has progressed cannot
be definitely ascertained owing to the
fact that the Assistant Secretary of War
has forbidden clerks to make public the
records or business of the department.
Il is credibly reported, however. that
the idea of pushing the Cuban invasion is
Fbeing given every possible consideration,
and the probabilities are that within a
fortnight the Stars and Stripes of the van
guard of the American forces will. be
floating over Cuban soil.
Since the return of Capt. Dorst and
Lieut. Rowan TO Key West from recon-
noitering trips in Cuba the War Depart
ment has learned officially that Capt Gen.
Blanco is doing the utmost within his
power TO strengthen the defenses of Ha-
vana. Earthworks are being constructed
around the city and masked batteries
and heavy guns located.
II is not deemed advisable to allow this
work Of strengthening the enemy's posi-
tion 20 continue without an attempt on
the part of the Army TO interrupt its
progress. An early invasion, it is pointed
out. would be the only remedy, and an
early invasion will undoubtedly take
place General BIanco has not only
strengthened every defense but is now
stations all along the coast so that any
attempt TO land American troops may be
communicated 10 him at once
The Starving Cubans
Apart from the military reasons for the
invasion Of Cuba, it is slated that the
President is annoyed at the reports re-
Gently received from Cuba picturing the
fearful plight Of the reconcentrados. He
realizes that in the month that has
elapsed since Congress resolved 10 forci-
bly, put a stop 20 the cruelty Of the Span
ish very little has been accomplished by
his administration. Further delay he be-
lieves will make the people impatient and
impatsence would endanger The success
OF his party at the polls. Thus every
thing from a military, humanitarian. or
political point Of view seems to urge him
10 favor the early invasion plan of the
Army experts
The inspector general will visit all the
southern Army rendezvous within the
next few days. a fact which seems TO
signify that as soon as the inspection Is
made the forward Cuban movement viii
be made. This work develOpes upon Maj.
Gen Joseph &. Breckenridge, the present
inspector general. He left yes ,erday. ac-
GDMAtaAlEu Dl A1JOE dAGAllS NDlis cLlAu G'A-
Col John Jacob Astor, assistant adju-
tant general.
Gen. lees Orders.
Mai. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, who is 10 COM
nland the Seventh Army Corps now at
Tampa. spent a busy day at the War De-
partment yesterday. He made arrange
ments for the detail Of his staff and
handed his selections TO the adjutant
general. II is understood that it has been
agreed upon, but viii not be announced
at present Gen Lee was ordered late in
the day TO proceed with all possible haste
TO Tampa He expected to leave last
evening.
Maj Gen Wesley Merritt left New
York last night for this city. and is eX-
pected at the War Department this morn
ing His aides-de-camp, Lieut.. 7. B. Mott
and Harry {. Hale, will accompany him.
The day viii be spent with the President,
Secretary Alger. Gen. Miles, and Adit.
Gen. Corbin in discussing the final plans
for the expedition to Manila, which Gen.
Merritt is to command. The party will
probably leave for San Francisco to-
night.
The details Of the expedition are well in
hand and II is believed that by tonight
the City Of PeI1in. with the first detach-
ment of the expedition will have left San
tion will start as soon as Gen. Merritt
can join his army al san Francisco.
Lieut. Col David L. Brainard. chief
cOmmissary Of subsistence of the United
States volunteers, has been relieved from
duty in the Office of the chief commissary
Of subsistence, and will proceed, accom-
panied by his clerk, 10 San Francisco,
Cal. via New Orleans and report in
person to Mai. Gen. Merritt. for duty
with the expedition to the Philippines.
Guarding Department Secrets.
The initiative in guarding the secrets
Of the War Department was taken by
Assistant Secretary Of War Meikleiohn
yesterday when he issued the following
circular:
It is found necessary to call special attention
70 rules II and y Of the rules and regulations,
which as follows;
III. Visitors will not be allowed in the rooms
IT. which the clerks employed, except by
permission Of the proper officials.
y. The official records and business OF the de
partment are strictly confidential and not
L. be disclosed 70 anyone, nor made the subject
OF conversation out Of the Office nor in the Office
except 80 far as necessary TO the proper discharge
OF the public business"
The order concludes:
rigid Observance OF these rules viii be ex-
acted, and any violation thereof viii be ground
Tor discharge.
Gen. Greely. chief signal officer. is ar
ranging for the organization of a brig
ade Of about 5000 engineers. He is also
making preparations for the organization
Of a number of companies Of electricians
and telegraphers.
Raising the Immunes.
The work Of raising 10000 immunes is
also under way.
Secretary Alger has assigned Major
William B. Davis. surgeon. 10 duty. in
charge of the general hospital at Fort
Aiyer Virginia
Acting Assistant Surgeon Ira A. Sinner
has been ordered to report in person 10
Maj. Davis.
one thousand mules are en- route from
St. Louis for Camp Alger near Falls
Church. They viii arrive tomorrow morn
ing and VIII be taken from the cars at
81. Asaph's race track near Alexandria,
Va.
Pay Of Temporary Clerks.
Secretary Alger has issued the follow
ing order relative to the pay of the tenn
porary rar clerks:
The rate Of pay which viii be allowed the
temporary clerks and messengers employed under
authority OF General Orders No 26 Aprii u
1s9s. from this Office in connection with the en-
listment and muster into the United States
service OF the volunteers Of the several States,
is hNed AZ 500 per month for the clerks, and
not exceeding $40 per month for the messengers,
payable from the deficiency appropriation act
approved May 4, ls9s.
II was announced yesterday that the
Take DR.. Henry's Blood Tea.