The herald., 1898-05-12
The ORDERFOR RATIONS
INDICATES EMPLOYMENT OF A
LARGE ARMY
CHICKAMAUGA MEN MARCHING
More Will Leave Tomorrow to Take
Up Their Temporary Quarters
Nearer to Havana
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE army
movement on Cuba is now fairly launched,
and today's news developed a concerted
effort all along the line to begin aggressive
operations on q big scale, for the eject
ment of the Spanish troops and govern
ment from the Pearl of the Antilles. An
order given this afternoon by the war de-
partment for the purchase of 100000
rations is an earnest of the scale on
which preparations are making for IN.
vasion of Spain's territory OF this vast
quantity one-fourth is to go to the Philip
pines by way of San Francisco and the bal
ance to Cuba. For some reason that was
not discoverable there appeared to be a
temporary check in the practical working
out of the plans of the war department for
the Cuban movement. After everything
had been made ready for the departure last
night General Miles was detained, and for
a time today the rather gloomy prospect of
an indefinite postponement of the first mil
itary expedition was presented. Later on,
however, the obstacle, whatever it was
was removed, and it was again announced
that the commanding general, with nu-
merous staff would leave Washington to-
morrow directly for Tampa. The depart
ment has made u great many changes in
the original program laid down for the con-
centration of troops, and as indicated in
these dispatches yet, many bodies of vol
unteers that were originally slated for one
of the great concentration camps have
found themselves suddenly under orders 70
proceed direct to southern points, so that
soon volunteers fronf the east and middle
west will be moving swiftly to Florida and
the gulf, while from the far west the cars
will be carrying troops to San Francisco.
Today's news. in connection with the recall
of general Miles orders to Tampa, is
pretty substantial evidence of a very early
movement of troops in strong force to
Cuba, while the Philippines program. of
course, has been definitely fixed for some
days.
Contrary to expectations, the day passed
at the navy department without news from
Admiral Sampson. Notwithstanding what
appear to be confirmatory newspaper ad-
vices relative to the presence of the Span
lsh Cape Verde fleet at Cadiz, the navy de-
partment officials are beginning to enter
tain strong doubts as to the accuracy OF
the report. 1t was not possible during the
course of the day to obtain anything like
an official confirmation of the official re-
port received yesterday, but this is not tc
be wondered at, in view of the success
which the Spanish government has so fai
met with in keeping secret the movements
of its naval ships. Until news from Ad-
miral Sampson of his doings in and around
Porto Rico is received, 1t cannot be said
definitely what program shall be decided
on as regards that island.
1t is suggested that some Of the troops
now being hurried SO rapidly to the gulf
coast may be intended to cooperate with
Admiral Sampson in the reduction of the
Notifications at San Juan de Porto Rico
and the subsequent occupation of the
island. 1t is felt that the admiral will
be in a rather disagreeabe plight sup
posing even that he managed to reduce the
forts with his fleet, if he were obliged to
remain there in occupation of the place for
lack of troops when he might otherwise be
urgently needed either on the Cuban coas st
or somewhere in the Atlantic to meet the
Spanish fleet.
An evidence of the wisdom of having the
transports near at hand in such cases Is
shown by the predicament Admiral Dewey
is believed to be in at Manila where, for
lack Of troops he is unable to occupy the
town and to prevent atrocities which the
insurgents are capable of committing upon
their helpless Spanish foes.
The revival of doubts as to the where
abouts of the Cape Verde squadron caused
renewal of anxiety as to the Oregon The
ship was at Bahia al last accounts and she
Is believed to have started a day two
since to go up the Brazilian coast to join
Simpsons squadron in the West Indies
She will have to make run of 5000 miles
which will occupy the Oregon about ten
days only, as she is in fine fettle and aver
aged thirteen knots an hour on the long
journey around from San Francisco. How
ever, it is believed that Admiral Sampson
Is as well posted as any one in Washington
as to the conditions existing in the West
Indies and he will doubtless do whatever
Is necessary in his judgment to safeguard
the ship in her run up the coast.
During the past month the bureau Of con-
struction and repair of the navy depart
ment spent one and quarter millions of
dollars in the repair and Quitting of ships
and none of this money went to new con-
struction. This is said to be the largest en-
penditure in this particular line made by
the equipment bureau, even during the
days Of the civil war. The rush orders to
the Charleston which went out today will
have the result possibly of obliging the de-
partment to send another vessel probably
the Philadelphia. along with the troop
transports, which are expected to go out
from San Francisco about the end of the
week, since it is very unusual in time of
war to send such transports without war
ship for convoy.
Men on the March
CHICKAMAUGA, NATIONAL PARK.
Ca, May 1.-THE orders today received ut
the headquarters of General Brooke's pro-
visional army did not have the rush fea-
lures. Only three regiments of cavalry
left today. The orders, however, are that
all troops must go to the coast by the latter
part of the week. The Third and Sixth cav
airy had everything packed and ready this
morning by o'clock when the tents of the
camp were struck and loaded into the wae-
ons In an incredibly short time, and at S:2J
the march Of the Sixth to Ringgold was be-
Gun. This distance to Ringgod by the gov
ernment road Is about seven miles and by
IL o'clock the command had reached the de-
pot at that point and at 3 o'clock in the after.
noon the trains began to move. Gen. .. S.
Sumner is III command of the two repi
ments; Colonel Vessels commanded the