Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-27
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ~

! eide Just how far the plans already
laid should be modified to meet exist
ing conditions.
This involved a discussion of such
| important points as the propriety of
the immediate advance of the military
! forces upon Cuba; the credibility of
| the advices so far had touching the
location of the Spanish squadron; the
policy of cxpediting the Cuban expe-
dition or accompanying it with one dl-
rected against Porto Rico, and finally
the extent of the military assistance to
be sent to Admiral Dewey at Manila.
AS already indicated, the proceedings
were rather in the nature of a consul
tation than war council, where full
decision is demanded at once, so that
it is not probable that all of these inn
portant questions We're disposed of at
the council None of the members OF
the conference felt authorized to tell
what had taken place, but there are
thought to be patent indications of a
decision to embark military expedi-
tons, whether for Cuba or Porto Rico
can only be conjecturcd, in the course
of the next few days.
There was a lack of news, today
from Admiral Dewey, and this convin
ced the naval authorities that there
could be little credcncc placed in tho
Madrid report of an accident to tho
Baltimore.
In the rush of military preparations
tc war department officials have not
been able to give much attention to
preparation of the regulations for the
procurement Of the $1,000 additional
volunteers called for, yesterday, by the
President
Ii is still uncertain just how far the
national authorities will go towards
recruiting these forces themselves. nor
is it positively known that Independent
organizations. companies battaliona
and regiments raised by individuals
will be accepted, if hy So doing the de-
partmcnt is required to accept the oil
GERS with the men.
Indeed, it is now questioned whether
under the law the department could, if
ii would. accept services of officers un-
der such conditions, as The governors
Of the states appear % he the only per
sons authorized to issue commissions
below the rtGimcnlal grade.
There are many other vexatious ques-
tions to be settled before the roGuia-
tions can BE- PROMULGATED hut fortu-
nately, in the Judgment of the depart
ment officials. due notice having been
given to the people OF desire for more
troops by the government. there is no
occasion for haste in deciding upon de-
tails, in view Of the fact that the fun
draft of men called for under the first
call has not been secured.
The department officials were en-
gagged. today. largely in considering the
new law providing for the organiza-
ton of certain Independent forces. with
| the result that the department was able
to announce regulations governing the
| examination of applicants for commits
sions in the engineer regiments and the
| organization of the immune regiments.
As evidence Of growing interest Of
| European countries in the war was the
| appearance at the state department.
! today, of Capt. a. Wcster. a newly ap-
pointed attachc to the legation Of s5We-
den and Norway. He came to the d.
partment With Minister Grip. for tn
| purpose Of securing permission to &C
company the United States military
! forces in Cuba.
Secretary Algcr and Gen. Miles con-
ferrcd, today, with two officers from
the staff Of Gen. Garcia, Gen. Enrique
Collazo and Lieut.. Col. Charles Her
nandez, who accompanied Lieut.. Row
an of the United States army on his
return from Garcia's camp in Cuba
The two Cuban officers gave Sccretary
Alger ana Gen. Miles information re
gardng Garcia's forces and the general
equipment Of the insurgcnt army
Col. Hernandez says that Garcia has
his headquarters at the town Of Baya
mo- which was surrendered by the
Spanish forces a few weeks ago, after
Garcia and his troops had maintained
4 long seige. Gen. Garcia and his staff
with body guard of several hundrcJ
men are quartered inside the city
About 5000 infantry and cavalry ar,
quartercd in the suburb of South Bay4-
mo.
The men are Wcll armed with Rem
inGtons and Mauscrs captured from tn,
Spaniards Most of them have ma.
chetcs, but only the officers carry othel
small arms. The cavalry have small
horses, hardy and reliable Mules ar,
used for pack purposes.
Col. Hernandez says that the com
mic