The herald., 1898-05-10
AN ORDER ISSUED
GIVING DESTINATION Of THE
VOLUNTEERS
MOVEMENT ON CUBA
WILL NOT FAIL FOR LACK OF
SUFFICIENT FORCH
PLANS FOR TRANSPORTATION
include Simultaneous Expeditions
From Four Ports on Our
Southern Coast

From Four Ports on Our
Southern Coast
Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May 9.-The war de-
partment today saw fit to crafty the uni
versal desire, and informed the country,
through the press, just whore the various
state volunteer organizations are to be con-
oentrated, 1t is the first time that any Of
tlGael statement has been made as to the
points of concentration. The order as pub
lishcd by the department is thought in
some quarters to warrant the assumption
that 1t contemplates speedy movement of
the United States military forces upon
Cuba, and in much greater force than was
originally planned. The war department
officials. refuse to say anything on this
point, but there Is every evidence that they
expect short, sharp, conclusive campaign.
such as could not be waged by five or ten
thousand soldiers.
1t is also to be noted that preparations
made by the quartermastcr department and
the commissary department, so far as 1t is
disclosed by actual orders, Indicate that
provision is being made for transporting
and feeding many thousands of men of the
United States army with view Of system
atically mobilizing the forces. The war
department has planned a scheme. which
It is believed will very much hasten the
work Of getting the men together and
equipping them. while avoiding any con-
gestion of the railroad force, as is always
to be apprehended in cases of war.
Instead of allowing all the troops called
for from particular state to be assembled
and broken in at the rendezvous. the de-
partment has instructed its mastering Of
flcers to complete the organization of regi-
as one is offered, to report the fact to the
department when that regiment will be
ordered at once to the point Of selection.
q In this way the government win be re-
lieved greatly in the distribution of stores.
which would be called for only as fast as
they are needed. The men will also be
more amenable to discipline under this ar
rnngement. 1t is the expectation that the
first regiments recognized and reported
from the states will be sent to Chattanooga,
thence going to Cuba via Mobile, Tampa,
New Orleans and Galveston, for expedi-
tions will be dispatched from each of these
ports The governor Of a state will have
no hand in the distribution Of the regi-
ments to go to particular concentration
camps; the destination will depend upon
the promptness with which they are
placed, and are ready for duty. Probably
about one-third of the entire levy called
for by the president will constitute the
force to be sent south to take part In the
first Cuban service, following the regular
army forces.
Inc coast UefenSe
These troops will be the first to receive
their equipment, just as was defined in
General Miles circular of today When
they are organized, equipped and concen-
trated, the government will be ready to
equip the second contingnt, namely, the
forces, about equal to another third Of the
total call, which will be assigned to the de-
fense OF the coast and harbors, replacing
the regular troops withdrawn from those
posts.
The Third Division
When these are equipped. the govern.
ment will then turn its attention to the
third class, comprising the last third of the
125,0O0 volunteers called for. 1t is the sim
cere, hope of the department that 1t will not
be called upon to equip fully these troops
before hostilties are at an end, but tn
work of preparation Is proceeding on the
contrary assumption. This third division
will constitute the second reserve, to be
drawn upon for reinforcements whenever
needed, and It is possible that the men
never will be called upon to leave their own
states unless the plans OF the war depart
ment miscarry. 1t may be remarked, by
the way, that out Of the first class will
come troops which will be sent to the
Philippine islands. General Miles has
prepared scheme changing the bounda-
ries of the present departments to facilitate
the working out of this plan. and it is now
before Secretary Alger for Improvement
The responses SO far received from the
mastering officers continue to be very en-
couraging.
FIRST RENDEZVOUS
The Destination of the Soldiers Now