The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-06
FIRST
WAR
MOVE
Will Be the Capture OF the
Canaries.
Flying Squadron Will Make
Dash
ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
Immediately After the Declar-
alton of War
To Make Base of Operations
at the Islands.
HARD BLOW TO SPAIN.
Schley'S Cruisers Could HaraSs
Her Shipping
And Cut Her Off From Inter-
course With Cuba.

Washington, April 6.-The plan of ac-
ton for the naval forces in event OF
hostilities is now practically completed,
as a result of several weeks constant
work on the part of the officers to
whom was entrusted this important
feature of the war preparations. One
feature of them contemplates a dash
by the flying squadron under Com
mander Schley to the Canary islands.
AS outlined by high naval officer,
the plan is that in the event of a dec
laration of war, the flying squadron.
as it is now composed, or possibly with
the addition of few more ships. will
Immediately start for the east with the
CanarieS as their destination. Naval
officials do not think that it would be
difficult task for so powerful fleet
to establish a station at that point, and
operating from it as a base, harass
the coast of Spain. From that point the
squadron could not only be placed ad-
YantageouSly to intercept Spanish mer-
chantmen but would be in a position
should circumstances demand or wars
rant so desperate a venture, to attack
a seaport. It. was also pointed out by
this officer that to seize and hold the
Canary islands would be a severe blow
to Spain, inasmuch as the island lie
between the Cape Verde islands and
Spain and in direct line with the route
to Cuba.
Should such plan be put in opera
tion the American\tieet in Cuban waters
would be composed of the present
squadron at the Tortugas and such adj
ditional vessels as could be spared from
the protection of the coast further UP.
Washington, April 6-The strong pa
triotic sentiment which prevails among
the militiamen among the various
states is finding vent in a number of
communications which have been re-
ceived at the war. department regarding
their status in the event of hostilities.
They are of such character as to leave
no doubt in the minds of the officials
that this strong organized reserve army
which amounts to over 100000 men, will
be found ready to answer any call that
may be made upon them for assistance
in time of need. At the same time there
seems to be some fear among the men,
berS of a number of these organizations
that the operation of the Hull army re-
organization bill, which has the ap-
proval of the administration and is now
before congress, will operate to their
disadvantage should its provisions be
made effective. This bill contemplates
the expansion during time of war Of
the regular army from its normal
strength of less than 10000 men to 1S0,-
900 men.
The idea seems to prevail in the
minds of the militiamen that if the reg
ular army is increased as provided for
in the bill it will preclude their par
ticipation in the war as the number
of soldiers provided will be all that
the government requires. Colonei Ral-
StOn of the Third regiment of PennSyl-
vania state militia was at the war de-
partment to-day in connection with va
rious matters that have come up IN
cident to the present emergency.
The allotments made by the president
out of the emergency fund for the war
department up to this time amount to
about ST. 600, 900, most of which has gone
to the engineers Office and the fortih-
cation bureau. Both of these bureaus
combined are working hurried1y in put
ting the seacoast Notifications in a for
midable state of defense. The sum of
$500. 600 was given to the quartermas-
ter's bureau to be expended If neces-
sary in the movement of troops, sub
sistence, camp equipage, etc. The sub
sistence bureau which provides for the
feeding of the army is prepared
promptly to give orders for all supplies
that may be needed at any point. The
ordnance bureau has on hand a large
stock of the Krag-Jorgensen rifles, now
used by the army, but the officials de-
cline to say whether it is sufficient to
arm the militia. The arms owned by
the latter are in many respects very in
ferior and in many instances are said
to be such as have been discarded by
every nation under the sun. If hos
tiIities come therefore, and the militia
is called into service, there viii be a
bie demand on the ordnance department
for, the supply of arms now in use py
41,a 1IaT a