The record-union., 1898-06-02
CAMPAIGN IN ISLANDS.
Outlined in q Recommendation
From Alrer to Congress.

WASHINGTON, June LIN signifi-
cant recommendation submitted to
Congress to-day, Secretary Alger,
through the medium of letter accom-
panying his recommendations, outlines
in general way the steps contem-
plated in the campaign against Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines. The
letter is from Chief Engineer Ludlow,
who makes the significant statement
that it is now proposed to forward to
Cuba an army of invasion to be COM
posed of 1900 to 10000 troops. TO be
followed as rapidly as practically by
$1,000 more.
The Secretary's recommendations
We're for appropriations aggregating
S3,l1O,OOO. One recommendation is for
S2,5O6,OOO Of deficiency in the appro-
priation for gun and mortar batteries,
required Immediately, for the use of
the War Department, to remain avail
able until expended"
This amount is. needed to provide en-
placements and carriages for high
power and rapid fire guns to be pro-
cured by the Ordnance Department
with the funds already appropriated.
A second one is for $195, 900 for the
establishment and maintenance of spe-
cial electrical communication in con-
nection with the army in Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines"
This amount includes the purchase,
equipment and repair of field electric
telegraph, signal equipment, ETC., in
Guiding war balloons, telephone ap-
paratus, maintenance and repair of
military telegraph lines and cables, in
cluding the salaries of civilian en-
ployes, supplies, general repairs, etc.
Then follows a significant recommen-
dation for $3.50, 900 for an expeditionary
force to Cuba, required by the War
Department for immediate use" The
items are as follows: For machinery
and equipment for the construction and
repair of roads, SO, 900; construction
and equipment Of military railroads,
S225 ,00G; additional intrenching tools,
electrical appliances, Photographic and
topographic outfits, instruments and
maps. manuals and for special and
technical services, 1000; contingent
cies involving immediate expenditure
of imperative urgency that cannot be
specified in advance, to be expended
under the direction of the Major Gen
eral commanding the army, 600.
The letter outlining the eXpeditionary
project against Cuba is written by Gen
eral Ludlow, whose special engineer
ing services were availed of b! Secre-
tary Alger to outline what was IL, aded.
It is dated May 22d, was forwarded by
Secretary Alger, and says:
Referring to my letter of April Goth,
covering the project with estimates for
the establishment in Cuba by an ex-
peditionary force of from 5000 to 5000
men, 1 invite attention to the follow
ing: Provisional estimates for this
purpose amounted to $15O,34O which
have been approved and made expend-
able under immediate direction of the
I Major General commanding the army
| in the deficiency Act, Approved May 4,
1898. This did not include several
items that while important could tenn
porarily be omitted on the supposi-
ton that no immediate movement
would be made. Furthermore, the pro-
ject for transfer to Cuba of an expe-
ditionary force has been materially
modified SO that instead of an assumed
force Of 5000 for the establishment of
a depot and base of supplies it is now
proposed to forward AN army of in
vasion to be composed of $1,000 or 20
600 troops to be followed as rapidly as
practicable by 10000 more. 1t is there
fore necessary to make provision for
the greatly augmented scale on which
the expedition Is to be equipped and
for its forward movement in the di-
rection of Cuba"
| General Ludlow says that for obvious
reasons the plans in detail cannot be
given, but that in a general way they
can be outlined. Special means of
transportation will be necessary and
| portable three-foot guage roads must
| be provided for on the established lines
| and along such additional connecting e
| lines as may be feasible and expedient
| For railways there should be no less
/ than thirty miles of track and suitable
| equipment, which may be estimated at
/ $4,000 per mile for track and 81, 800 per
! mile for equipment. The total of this
1 line, therefore, is S225O00. Three out
| fits or road making machines, including
rock quarrying and crushing apparatus,
road rollers, ditchers and graders, will
| cost at $4,000 each, S25,OOO In addi-
| ton there should be an allowance OF,
| say, 100000 for electric lights, dyna-
| mite and torpedo appliances. etc, in
| Guiding the employment of scouts,
| spies, etc.