The herald., 1898-04-20
IN CASE CALL IS MADE
VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT BE
LACKING
WIDELY VARIANT ESTIMATES
OF the Number of Men the President
Will Consider Necessary to
Defeat Spain
Associated Press Special Wire

Defeat Spain
Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. April 19.-The War De.
partment today practically decided that its
first call to arms would be for sc, 900 men to
be taken from the militia of the several
States There are some complications in
the matter which 1t will take title time
to adjust. and which will prevent the
issuance of a call today and may delay 1t
even q little longer.
Growing Larger
WASHINGTON, April 19.-Plans now
being formulated in Congress involve the
placing Of about 100000 soldiers in round
numbers at the disposal of the government
within short time after the Cuban reso-
lutions are approved by the President.
This calculation is based on the follow
ing figures covered in plans already in
effect or in contemplation, viz: Stand
ing army. $1,000: by call for volunteers.
10000; BY calling out State militia, $1,000 or
100000; by army reorganization bill, so. 900.
Leaving aside the present regular army
force, the second and fourth items are
practically settled on in committee. While
the third as to State militia, Is being ac-
lively canvassed, and while there are diff
fering views they are expected to cry
stallize into an authorization to call out
the numbers stated. The bill drawn up by
the War Department for introduction by
Representative Hull, Chairman Of the Mill
tary Committee, authorizes the President
to call for something like 1000 volunteers
to be drawn through the various States.
While this method obviates the legal tech
nicalities involved In the services of State
militia organizations. 1t Is likely the
volunteers thus obtained through quotas
furnished by the respective State and
Territorial Governors will come from with
In State militia ranks.
The plan of the Committee on Military
to effectually put large number Of the
militia at the disposal of the President is
being formulated. Some think an hundred
thousand excessive, but Chairman Marsh
and others regard the figures as conservat-
i've in the view that the resolutions evi-
IDENTIFY mean war. The President, as now
suggested by Representative Marsh, can
call out the militia at any time, and Con-
gress follow UP the Executive action by
legislative enactment providing for the
President mastering into the United States
service. At the same time the Army Re-
organization bill recently recommitted by
the House 10 being carefully pruned in the
Military Affairs Committee to meet OBJ
jeetions. 1t is proposed to extend the army
esgenixation to the three-battalion war
formation and to increase the batteries Of
setlllery to 200 mon each. This measure,
4 is claimed. may bring about 5000 more
men into the regular service. to those added
u the present q 900 regular troops.
Guardsmen Only
WASHINGTON, April 19.-It is stated
at the War Department this afternoon
that only the National Guard will be
given opportunity to volunteer at this
time. The President will reserve the
right to appoint stan and field officers,
while the Governors of States will assign
regimental officers. as was done in 1861.
Troops En- Route
WASHINGTON, April 19. - Troops A,
u, G and H, Sixth Cavalry, Fort Meyer
passed through the city early this morn
ing to the railroad station on the way to
Chickamauga. They passed in review be-
fore Secretary Alger and General Miles
and were greeted by crowds along the
streets. The station was a scene of
bdstling activity during the hours neces-
Sasy to load the cars. At half-past nine
o'clock Secretary Alger, accompanied by
his wife and daughter, arrived in their
carriage The Secretary shook hands
with the officers and soldiers. After
spending some time he drove to the War
Department while the troops continued
their preparations for departure.
The Preside Force
SAN FRANCISCO. April 19.-Light bat
It'd
Preside at l p. m. today and marched
through the streets to the depot, boarded
the cars en- route for Chickamauga Park
Dense crowds of school children and en-
.thusiastic citizens cheered them along the
line Of march. The First Infantry will
leave tomorrow for New Orleans.
Orders to Light Batteries
WASHINGTON, April 19.-Orders were
issued from the War Department today
placing the light batteries of artillery on
a strictly war footing. kilograms were
sent to the commanding officers of these
batteries in all parts of the country direct
ing them to increase each battery from
four to six guns and to increase the horses
for each gun from four to six.
The Southern Camp
MOBILE. Ala, April 19-General Con-
pinger and staff reached here today. The
camp ground selected is four miles from
the city In the most healthful portion of
the country. 1t Is rising ground, well
drained and watered, with all railroad,
street car and telegraphic facilities. COM
prising GOO acres of pine land. General
Coppinger. who inspected the site, is per-
fectly satisfied with Major Ponds choice.
The first troops will arrive here tonight.
Ordered Home
BERLIN, April 19.-The United States
military attache at Vienna, Lieut.. ]. L.
Chamberlain, and the United States mill
tary attache at st. Petersburg. Lieut.
George L. Anderson, have been called
home.
A Brokers' Regiment
WASHINGTON, April 19.-Washington
E. Connor said yesterday that pledges
enough had been already secured to make