The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-25
DECLARATION OF WAR
TO Be MADE TO-DAY
The President Will Send Special Message to Congress
To-Day Asking for Formal Declaration of War
Spain Also Considers Declaration.

eral Corbin and Secretary Algcr con-
ferred in the afternoon respecting the
arrangements for calling on the Govern
ors of the State and Territories for the
quota Of troops they are to furnish un-
der the Presidents proclamation asking
for 12J,000 men.
In the State, War and Navy Depart
ments, many of the officials We're at
their desks directing the execution of
policies heretofore determined upon.
Neither Secretary Alger nor Secretary
Long were on hand. but Assistant Sccre-
tary Meikeljohn and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt were on duty for several
hours. The Assistant Secretary is bus
lily engaged in supervising the general
preparations for the transportation of the
troops overland and also to Cuba, for
which large number Of vessels will be
chartered. In the Quarter Masters Of
fee nearly the whole clerical force was
on hand. The details are far from
complete but Quarter Master General
Ludington believes everything will be in
readiness by the time the troops are
ready to move. Some understanding
with the railroads on the basis of uni-
form rates Of travel will be arranged il
possible SO that the soldiers may be sent
by the shortest possible route with the
least charge to the government. Qucs-
tions Of equipment Of the troops with
uniforms and tents are also e. be set
tied. although many Of the State or
ganizations are prepared in this respect
1t is said mt the Navy Department
that all The Naval Militia which will he
used in the deep sea patrol vessels nj
ready have been ordered to them. Those
remaining will be utilized i'm manning
the signal stations along the coast and
the vessels Of the close shore auxiliary
fleet
COMMANDER Richardson Glover expects
that the gun boat Bancroft which he is
to command and which is now undergo
ing repairs at Boston will sail for Nor
folk in Il few days to take on her ammu-
milton. The probability is that the yes
sci then will be sent to join Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet.
1t is said to be definitely settled that
Captain Albert $. Barker. Il member Of
the Joint Army and Navy Defense Plan
Board, will command the protected cruis-
er Newark now fitting out mt Norfolk
She will be ready for services some time
in May.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt to-day
announced that the government had pur-
chased the steam yacht Aileen for the
auxiliary navy. This vessel like so many
others that have been acquired is of
light draught and excelently fitted for
patrol duty in shallow waters She is
of 151 tons gross register, 119 feet long
and 20 feet beam.
1t was said at the Navy Department
to-day that no additional information
had been received of the movements of
the Spanish fleets. rendezyoused at Cadiz
and at the Cape Verde Islands. Every
step taken by these fleets is promptly
reported to the department by the agents
abroad One officer explained to-day
that it was very necessary to receive
with the greatest caution reports of the
movements Of the Spanish ships as Spain
naturally will try in every way to mis-
lead. the United States.
Most of the vessels of the Asiastic
Squadron which according to the Asso-
ciated Press dispatches is to sail with
sealed orders. according to the latest
published adviccS were rendezvoused at
Hong Kong. The squadron is under
command and is made IN Of seven YES
sells including the coal Golfers recently
| purchased by the department The
Olympia. protected cruiser. is the flag
/ ship. with a speed of over twenty-one
j knots, while the other shiDs are the
perfected cruiser Baltimore Of twenty
knots, the protected cruiser Raleigh Of
nineteen knots, the protected cruiser
boston Of fifteen and one-haf knots. the
gun boat Concord of nearly seventeen
knots. the gun boat Petrcl Of nearly