The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-10

WASHINGTON, May 9.-There IL
authority for the statement that to-day
having passed without a report from
Admiral Sampson, the Navy Departments
does not expect to hear from him within
several days. The authority for this
statement is fully acquainted with Ad-
mlral SIMPSONS plans, and the remark
would seem to Indicate that tho Admiral
having failed to find the enemy at the
place expected. had turned his attention
to the alternative project. What this 10
cannot be ascertained. II is evident, how
ever, that the Department is under no
apprehension as TO the safety OF the
American fleet nor of any vessel Oh the
fleet.
CONCENTRATE STATE TRooPs.
The War Department saw At to-day TO
crafty the universal desire ana INFORM
the country through the press just where
the various State Volunteer organizations
are TO be concentrated. IL Is the nrst
time that any official statement has been
made as TO those points.
With n view TO systematlzing the great
work OF mobilizing the forces and putting
them In service, the War Department mas
planned a scheme, which, Il Is believed
will very much hasten the work OF set
ting the men together and equirpng
them, while avoiding any congestion or
the railroad trafic, such as is always to
be apprehended In cases OF war. Instead
of allowing all the troops called from
particular State to be assembled ana
broken in at the rendezvous the Depart
ment Is instructing its mastering omcers
to complete the organization or rsgi-
ments as rapidly as possible and as soon
as one Is organized to report the fact
to the Department when the regiment
Will be ordered at once to the point Sc
lected for concentration. In this way the
government Will be greatly relieved In the
distribution OF stores. which VIII be cali
ed for only as fast as they are needed
The men also will be more amenable 10
discipline when quickly transferred 20 the
concentration points outside OF their
own States. IL Is the expectation that
the first regiments organized and report
ed from the States will be sent 10 Chat
tanooga, thence going to Cuba VIA Mo-
bile, Tampa, New Orleans, and Calves
ton. for expeditions will be dispatched
from each OF these ports.
DEPENDS ON PROMPTNESS.
The Governor OF a State will have M
hand in the designation OF regiments 10
go 10 particular concentration camps: the
destination will depend upon the prompt
ness with which the volunteers are or
ganized and ready for transportation.
Probably about one-third the entire levy
called for by the PRESIDENT or about <0.-
900 troops will constitute the force to be
sent south TO take part in the FIRST Cuban
service, following the regular army forces.
These troops will DO the first 10 receivs
their equipment. When they are orgsniz-
ed equipped and concentrated, the gov
ernment will be ready TO equip the sec
ond contingent namely, the forces. about
equal 10 another third OF the total call,
which will be assigned 10 the defenees
OF the coast and harbors. replacing the
regular United States troops withdrawn
from those posts.
When these are equipped, the govern
ment will turn its attention 10 the shird
class, comprising the last third or the
rs 600 volunteers called for. IL is the sin
cere hope OF the War Department that II
will not be called uron to fully equip
these troops before hostillties are at an
end but work OF preparation Is proceed
ing on the contrary assumption.
This third division will constitute the
second reserve TO be drawn upon for rein
forcements whenever needed and II II
possible that the men never viii be called
upon to leave their own States unless the
plans OF the War Department miscarry.
II may be remarked by the way that
out OF the first class will come the troops
which will be sent to the Philippine Is
lands. General Miles has prepared o
scheme changing the boundaries OF tina
present departments 10 facilitate the
working out OF this plan and II Is now
before Secretary Alger for enforcement.
The responses 20 far received from the
mastering officers continue TO be very
encouraging