The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-20
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR
CONTINUE WITH UNABATED VIGOR
 IN ALI DEPARIM ENTS.

IN ALI DEPARlM ENTS.
 Several Fleet Steam Yachts, Suitable for Navigation in Cuban Waters, Procured Yesterday, and Bids Made for Several Steam Coliiers-Authoritatlv Statement That at the First Call for Troops Only the National Guard Will be Given an Op- portunity to Volunteer for Service.
 Washington, April 19.-Military and naval preparations continued to-day yachts suitable for navigation in Gu ban waters were procured and several bids for steam colliers were made. Ar engagements are making to utilize a number of the powerful converted smooth-bore guns, survivors of the late war, as armament for the auxilia- ry cruisers. Many agents for shipown- CTS were at the navy department to- day offering to sell craft to the gov- ernment, but where the vessels are suitable the prices are said to be ex- cessive and no purchases were there fore made.
 National Guard.
 The authoritative statement was made at the war department to-day that on the first call for troops only the National Guard will be given an opportunity to volunteer for service in the war. This statement is in accord ance with those made by Secretary AL ger to the National Guard men who called upon him at the war depart- ment on Saturday when the modified in time of war was under considera- ton. Secretary Alger thinks that such a course is in keeping with sound dis , erection, and the dictates of common sense for the organized militia have gone to great expense and have devot- ed much time to perfecting themselves for military duty. Any other course, he believes, would be destructive to the best interests of the guard. As far as practicable the state organiza- tions entering the volunteer service will remain intact, the governors of the various states being permitted, as they were in 1861, to designate the reg mental officers which will include those of the grades of the second lieu tenants to colonels. The president will reserve the right to appoint the staff and field officers.
 Applications to Volunteer.
 Many applications have been made to the war department for permission to volunteer, and among men of all creeds, nationalities and politics there is an expressed intention and desire to up- hold the honor and the integrity of the flag of the republic. It was stated to- day that the first call for troops would be for 90000 men, which, it is believed swill exhaust the strength of the Na- tional Guard at this time, after de- ducting those who are sick and other wise incapacitated for immediate ser vice. The total strength of the guard as reported to the war department is 115, 764 men.
 Aliotments From Emergency Fnnd.
 Secretary Alger to-day made several additional allotments from the emer- gency fund for the war department. One million dollars was given for the quartermaster's department to meet the expense of transportation of troops, etc., and $50,000 for perfecting the army telegraphic service. General Greedy, the chief signal officer, is a staunch advocate of the use of balloons at the various ports of the country and in regular field service. A great deal of indignation has been expressed by naval officers over the cold-blooded at- tempt of persons owning vessels, and acting as their agents, to extort from the government sums of money largely in excess of the value of their craft
 The navy department has arranged to place some light armor on the four vessels acquired from the Morgan line the Prairie, Yosemite, Yankee and Dixie. The Carnegie company has un- dertaken to roll light steel plate one and one-half inches thick. Two layers or tnlS plaLe VIII De placeQ dTOuIlQ the boiler and engine rooms of the boat making about 250 tons of armor in each case. This will be sufficient at least to repel the fire of machine guns and prhaps to keep out six-pound shells.
 The Navy Department.
 The navy department has received satisfactory information that the coal loaded at Newport News upon the British tramp steamer Hamstead is | not, as was supposed intended for the Spanish naval craft at the Cape Verde islands, but is for a line of merchant steamers, so that apprehension from that score has been removed.
 ANXIOUS FOR PROTECTION. Applications Pouring in From Unpro. tected Towns on Coast. Washington, April 19.-Applications