The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-24
FORT M'PHERSoN'S FIGHTERS.
STORY OF AN ORDER TO GO TO KEH
WEST UNTRUE.

Col. Cook Says HIS Regiment Is Al.
ways Ready for Marching Orders,
Hut That War VIII Not BE Dcclar-
ed Prior 10 the board of Inquiry'a
RepOrt-Three Large Armies Nec-
essary 60 Prevent Invasion-Ca-
pacity of Georgia Railroads t0
Move Troops to the Coast.
Atlanta, Ga, Feb. pa report was
current here this morning that two cons
panes at Fort Mcpherson were being held
in readiness to leave at a moments notice
for Key West, to take part in the impend-
ing brush with Spain.
Col. Cook, when asked about this rumons
stated that 1t was not true, and added
that he had received no orders which
would Indicate that preparations were be-
ing made for war.
"The entire regiment" he said, 'is ready
to go, If Il should be ordered out. That
Is our business, and we have to keep ready
all the time"
As yet there has been no official commu.
ncatlon from Havana upon which waa
could be based and war viii not be declare
ed until a report is made by the board %
Inquiry.
Il cannot believe that the battIeshn
Maine was blown up by the authorities Of
the Spanish government. II IL resulted from
the explosion of a mine or from torpedo
/ think 1t must have been the work of
some fanatic. 1 do not think that Spain
could for moment have contemplated so
horrible thing. The result would be To
n
to turn against her.
"If the board finds Spain responsible foe
the disaster, the United States will make
out Its bill, and say pay 1t or go to war.
Speaking of the possibilities of war. Col.
Cook said: "In case of hostilities, the
hghting would undoubtedly begin on wa
ter. IL would, however, be necessary fo1
the United States 90 have three large
armies stationed on the coast to prevent
invasion of the country One would be re-
quired at the North one on the East and
South, and another on the West. We
would then be prepared TO Withstand am
attack from any country in the world"
The war department has on
file at Washington reports from
all the railroads In the Southeast,
giving estimates of the number and the
amount of munitions of war they could
upon what notice such movements could
be made. This information covering move-
ments from Atlanta to ports on the At
lantic. and Gulf coasts appears 10 have
been collected with the Idea that in case
of war with Spain, or movement OF
troops to Cuba, Atlanta would be an impor-
tnnt base of operations, a supply depot
and forwarding station for the move-
ment of troops.
The situation OF Atlanta Is peculiarly
favorable for such operations, and when
Gen. Sherman was here some years ago,
he said that in case of war Atlanta would
he the most important strategic point in
the Southeast
The railroad men admit that blanks for
this purpose wera sent out from Wash-
ington some months ago. The information
was gotten up very carefully by the trans
portation men and their estimates are held
by the war department.
From inquiries here to-day It appears
that In case of emergency
by temporary interruption OF
ordinary business, the various
lines could move 100000 men from
Atlanta to Brunswick, Savannah, Porn
Royal or Charleston within twenty-four
hours. They could deliver the same num-
Der of men at Tampa, Punta Gorda and
Miami In thirty-six hours. These estt-
mates allow twelve hours to get tha
trains ready after notice. The Southern
Railway has over 60 per cent. of its boxr
cars equipped with air brakes, and other
roads are to some extent equipped in the
same way. There are three lines to News
Orleans that could deliver about 1900
troops In twenty-four hours.
Atlanta is a natural gateway for pros
visions from the west and would be
great depot for the commissary departs
ment. The amount of that business the
railroads could handle is practically un-
limited. There are three routes TO Bruns-
wick, and as many to Savannah, Charles
ton and Port Royal. 1t Is thought that
trains could be run TO any OF these places
In eight to ten hours, with twenty cars
each and fifty soldiers In each car. TINS
trains could be run twenty minutes apart.
and in that way could move 5000 men en-
hour.
The Central of Georgia Railway has 100
cars equipped with air brakes and tho
Southern has about 1900 so equipped The
Atlanta and West Point has 90 per cent,
of its box cars fitted with air brakes and
other roads have smaller proportions.
With these equipments the movement OF
troops would be far more easily and safely
made than 1t was during the civil war.
when there was no such equipment.