Evening star., 1898-04-29
AT WAR DEPARTMENT
Work Of Preparation for the Conflict
Goes On.
MARYLAND'S ALLOTMENT CHANGED
Bureau Chiefs Directed Not to
Give Information.
AND'S ALLOTMENT CHANGED
TO EXAMINE VOLUNTEERS

Consul General Lee was at tie Navy and
War Departments for some time during
the day. In the former place he called Oh
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt and talked
with him at length on the Cuban situation.
Later, at the War Department, he visited
Adjt. Gen. Corbia. Gen. Lees name has
been mentioned repeatedly in connection
with his appointment as major general
in the volunteer army, but, If he has re-
ceived any promises from the President in
this direction, he declines to admit it, and
adds that he knows nothing Of Mr.. Nc
kinley's intentions. In three or four days
Gen. Lee expects to finish the business
which called him here, including that Of a
personal character ard that with the State
department, and will return to his home in
Richmond. Further than that he will not
say what his movements will be.
In brief talk during his passage through
the corridors from the Navy to the War
Department, the consul general said that
he had read the reports of the lombard
ment of Matanzas by several of the vessels
of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet. The reported
siiencing of them does rot seem to surprise
tim, as from their formation, partly of
sandstone he believes they could be easily
vana, being constructed partly of the same
material, might also be effectively bonn
barded by the formidable warships of Ad-
miral SIMPSONS fleet.
MaryInnd's Allotment Changed.
Senator-elect McComas of Maryland made
an earnest effort at the War Department
today to induce the government to accept
the services of the entire list, 18th and 9TH
Maryland regiments. AS Il result of his
representatio the War Department has
made some notifications in the original
order apportioning the troops that Mary
land is asked to furnish. In place of the
four heavy batteries the senator was given
to understand that the state will have an
opportunity to send two battalions of in
fantry. This will make one regiment and
two battalions of infantry as the states
quota, and it may be that the law can be
so construed as to permit the two bat
talions to form a regiment which would
give the state two regiments of infantry.
Every change that is made in the orig!-
nal allotment, either in the character of
the troops called for from each state or the
rumber, involves a change elsewhere in the
list of states, and the officials are at their
wits ends TO carry out the orders for these
changes, mostly made upon the solicitation
of senator's and representatives, without
completely disarranging the plans of cam
paign and largely exceeding the number
of men called for by the President. 1t is
said that President Lincoln encountered a
similar difficulty when he made his first
call for volunteers, and was obliged to ex-
ceed the number called upon by about %
per cent in concession to the patriotic up
rising of the people.
The request on the governor of Colorado
for one light battery of artillery having
been rescinded by the War Department
that state will be asked to furnish instead
some cavalry. troops, probably two COM
panies. The exact number has not yet
been determined upon.
c. L. McMichncI Selected.
Based on the published statement thae
the President would probably nominate to
the Senate some of the officers for the
volunteer regiments today, there was a
great rush at the War Department and
White House CT senators and representa-
tives who are seeking appointments for
some OF their constituents. 1t appears that
the state cf Pennsylvania has earned the
honor of securing the very first appoint-
ment under the terms of the volunteer
army hill, for the President mas selected
Campbell Emory McMichael as assistant
adjutant general of volunteers. This ap-
pointruent must be submitted to TIE Senate
for its approval, and is expected to go in
today or tomorrow. Mr.. McMichael is a
son of Col. Clayton McMichaeI, owner Of
the Philadelphia North American, and
present city treasurer at Philadelphia, who
was also, during the Arthur administra-
ton, marshal of the District of Columbia.
His uncle, Gen. William McMichael was
assistant adjutant general on the staff of
Major General Thomas during the civil
war, where he served with distinction.
Both Mr.. McMichael's father and Grand
father were also army officers. The new