The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-20

were In 1861, to designate the regi-
mental officers, which will include those
| of the grades of second lieutenants to
colonels. The president will reserve to
himself the right to appoint the staff
and field officers. Many applications
have been made to the war department
for permission to volunteer and among
men of all creeds, nationalities and pol
tics there is an expressed intention AMI
desire to uphold the honor and integrity
of the flag of the republic.
| 1t was stated that the first call for
troops would be for 10000 men, which,
1t is believed, will exhaust the entire
available strength of the National
Guard at this time, after deducting
those who are sick and otherwise in
capacitated for immediate service. The
total strength of the guard as reported
to the war department, is 1l3,764 men.
General Miles made another addi-
ton to his staff yesterday. Brgadier
General j. C. Breckenridge, now inspcc-
| tor general of the United States, will
serve on General Niles staff as chief
| of the inspection department. This
| makes four staff officers selected for
| assignment on General Miles staff
within the last few days, and it is the
generals intention to have all the
staff departments of the army repre-
| sented, so that it will be necessary to
add a signal officer and an ordnance Of
fcer.
Secretary Alger made several addi-
tional allotments from the emergency
fund for the war department. One mil
lion dollars was given for the quarter
masters department, chiefly to meet
extraordinary expenses in the trans
portation of troops and munitions of
war; $4,000 for work with balloons and
100000 for perfecting the army tele-
graphic service. General Greedy, tine
chief signal officer is a staunch advo-
cate Of the use of balloons at the vari-
Gus ports of the country, and in reg
ular field service.
Both military and naval preparations
continued yesterday with unabated
vigor Seven fleet steam yachts suit
able for navigation in Cuban waters
were procured, and several bids for
steam Golfers were made. Arrange
ments are making to utilize a number
of the powerful converted smooth bore
guns, survivors of the late war, as
armament for the auxiliary cruisers.
Many agents for ship owners were at
the navy department Offering to sell
craft to the government, but where the
vessels are suitable the prices are said
to be excessive, and no purchases were
made.
The navy department has arranged
to place some light armor on the four
vessels acquired from the Morgan line.
These are the Prairie, Yosemite, YAM
kee and Dixie. The Carnegie company
has undertaken to roll Immediately
light steel plate IL inches thick. Two
layers Of this plate will be placed
around the boiler and engine rooms Of |
the boat, making about $50 tons of |
armor in each case. This will be suf-
hclent at least to repel the fire Of ma
chine guns, and perhaps to keep out
the murderous six-pounder shells.
The navy department has received
information that the coal
loaded at Newport News upon the
British tramp steamer Hampstead is
not. as was supposed, intended for the
Spanish naval craft at the Cape Verde
Islands.
All the troops of the regular army
have been ordered to concentrate at
southern points, and are now en- route.