Evening star., 1898-05-19
WORK OF PREPARING
Arranging for the Organization of
More Troops.
AND IMMUNE REGIMENTS
Seventy Regiments Modified or
Ready to Start.
RULE TO INSURE SECRECY

There was another crush of visitors in
| the offices of Secretary Alger and Adjutant
General Corbin in the War Department to-
day, principally members of the Senate and
House interested in staff appointments of
the volunteer army. In consequence, the
ofc1als had little time to attend to ordi-
nary business matters requiring attention.
Arrangements are being made for the or
ganization of the brigade of engineers
which is to consist of not exceeding $500
men and for the formation of the
immune regiments, aggregating 10000
men, supposed to be free from danger of
yellow fever infection. Preparations are
also being made for the organization Of
the companies of electricians and teleg-
raphers, consisting each of sixty-one men
for each division. For the latter General
Greedy, chief signal officer, has submitted
plan which awaits the approval of Secreta-
ry Alger. The Secretary, it is expected
will soon take steps providing for the en-
listment of the immunes, so that they may
be available as early possible for active
work in the field. Many applications by
persons who are anxious to undertake the
raising of regiments of this class of men
have been received at the department. In
some cases applicants have gone far as
to already begin work in that line on their
own responsibility, trusting to the depart
ment to approve their efforts and grant
them formal permission to have the men
enlisted into the service of the government.
Several of the members of the Louisiana
delegation, including Representative Meyer
called to see Secretary Alger today in con-
nection with the raising of a regiment of
immunes.
Other callers on the Secretary today were
ex-Secretary Tracy, who has been in Wash
ington for several days, Senator's Platt Of
New York and Lodge of Massachusetts,
and Representatives Bankhead of Alabama
and Lester of Georgia.
Major General FitZhugh Lee, who is to
command the 7th Army Corps at Tampa,
Fla, was busily engaged at the depart
ment this morning making arrangements
for the detail of officers to his staff. He
hopes to have it completed as to be able
to leave for the south tonight. General
Wesley Merritt, commanding the Depart
ment Of the East, with headquarters at
New York, who is to command the expedi-
tion to the Philippines, is expected here
during the day for a consultation with the
President and the Secretary of War before
his departure for the Pacific coast. Every
detail of this expedition is being hurried
forward and it is confidently hoped that the
first part will be on its way to Manila with
in few days, in command of Major Gem
eral Otis.
Progress of Mobilization.
More than fifty regiments of the volun-
teer army have eithsr started for or reach
ed the mobilizing points to which they were
directed to proceed by the Secretary of
War. Fifteen or twenty regiments have re-
ported their readiness to start for such
points. In order to avoid confusion at the
camps and any congestion in the railroad
traffic the War Department officials are de-
ferring giving orders for a number of thu
volunteer regiments to start.
The number of volunteers mustered in to
date is $500. All the regiments which
were directed to go to San Francisco, ex
cept those from North and South Dakota,
have left their local rendezvousng points
for the Golden Gate city. The greater por-
ton of the men composing these organiza-
tions ara destined for the Philippines.
A Stringent Order Issued.
By order of Assistant Secretary Meikle-
john, Chief Clerk Tweedale has issued the
following war circular:
1T is found to be necessary to call special
ana regulations of the War Department,
which are as follows:
III. Visitors will not be allowed in the
rooms in which the clerks are employed,
except by permission Of the proper officials.
Il. The official records and business of
the department are strictly confidential, and
are not to be disclosed to any one, nor
made the subject of conversation out of the
office. nor in the office, except SO far as
necessary to the proper discharge of the
public business
"A rigid observance of these rules will
be eXacted, and any violation thereof will
be ground for discharge. copy of this
circular will be furnished to each employe
of the department"
This circular looking to the complete Sc
crecy of all war measures differs radically
from the method adopted by the naval
bureau of navigation in that it applies to
all persons not connected with the War
Department, whereas the naval prohibition
is solely against newspaper men. The
method of the War Department will un-
doubtedly prove much more efficacious for
the purpose intended than the naval meth
cd. The latter simply contemplates keeping
war news away from newspaper men, but
does not prevent it's full dissemination to
Spanish sympathizers through clubs and
street gossip. 1t Is asserted that Senor
Polo depends mainly upon friends in clubs
and social circles for inside information In
regard to military and naval movements,
past and prospective. The danger Of leaks
in the manner indicated has been brought
to the attention of Secretary Long. As a
consequence, 1t Is said that the recent naval
order will be amended SO as to prohibit
naval officers from discussing naval mat
ters with any person outside of the service
regardless of his business or profession
The proposed amendment is based on the
generally accepted theory that it is not
necessary under present arrangements for
the Spanish authorities TO depend upon the
American newspapers for Knowledge of the
military and naval operations of the United
States. The naval authorities have at last
concluded that the best way to keep a Sc
cret is not to confide it to anybody, and
that newspaper men are no less patriotic
than other people.
Chief Harrigan Resigns.