The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-04-16
GREAT ACTIVITY SHOWN.
Important and Significant Stems tn.
ken by the Naval and War
Departments.

Washington, April IA Wednesday
was day of stirring activity at the
pavy and war departments. Anticipate
ing decisive action by congress, the
machinery of the military and naval
branches of the government was early
put In motion and events of grave sig.
nificance followed In quick succession.
In every bureau the work of prepare
ton went on with an enthusiasm and
rush that was in marked contrast to
the lethargy that had characterized
the big granite building since Monday.
With 1t all there was an added secrecy
and reticence on the part of officials
to discuss the warlike movements.
Tho first event to become known was
the acquisition by the navy department.
of the American line steamships St.
Louis and st. Paul, and coupled with
the announcement came the informa.
ton that in all probability Capt. sigs.
bee would be placed in command OF
one and Capt. Goodrich of the other.
Early in the forenoon the naval stra~
tegic board went into session and called
Consul-General Lee into the conference.
The session was long one, and was
devoted to thorough discussion of Of
fensive and defensive movements in
Cuban waters, Gen. Lee being able to
give the board much valuable informa.
zion regarding the defenses of Havana,
Crowding close upon the heels Of these
events was the news that the flying
squadron had raised anchors and put
to sea. This fact caused intense ex.
ht+avpor+ T., oil or%o,
ELECTED the official statement that the
squadron had merely gone to sea fot
a short practice cruise. There was an
evident anxiety on the part of officials
for news of the various Spanish fleets,
but up to late hour no word had been
received of any movement In that quar-.
ter. 1t was rumored that the Span.
,ash vessels at Puerto Rico had sailed,
but this could not be confirmed.
Signs of activity for what now seems
to be a probable conflict were continued
at the war departments. Every thing is
in readiness for a prompt movement
of troops toward come central point,
particularly of the forces east Of the
Rocky mountains, but Gen. Miles says
that nothing is likely to be done In
the way of moving any large body Of
troops southeastward until there Is
more evidence that their services will
be needed.
Complete arrangements have been
made for the immediate mobilization
of practically the entire military force
of the government at the Chickamauga
National park at the first signs Of
trouble. 1t is expected in case of ne.
cessity call will be issued for about
10000 troops, preferably from the na-
tional guard Of the different states and
territories. In the event that the war
policy contemplates the invasion Of Gu.
ba, the army may be increased to 1oo,.
600 men. OF this the regular troops
and the national guard will aggregate
about $4,000 men, and the remainder
will be made up of volunteers. In the
event of call upon the national guard
attention will be directed first to the
organizations in the states Of New
York, Pennsylvania and Ohio and the
District Of Columbia. Gen. Miles plan
II to mobilize II of the Is regiments Of
infantry and five of the ten regiments
OF cavalry at the Chickamauga park al
speedily as possible.