Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-26
CALL FOR TROOPS
President Asks for $4,000
More Volunteers.
SOON TO MOVE ON CUBA
Army OF Invasion TO BE Landed in the
Near Future. L. Cerver. Bet
tied Up In the Ha.b.r 49,"
$685. of Santiago:
(EY IHelegranll.l

y
(Ey Telegraph.p
WASHINGTON. May 25.-The event
OF the day in the war situation was
the issuance of proclamation by the
President calling for $4,000 more vol
unteerS. 1t added a new stirring
phase to the !ethargic conditions which
have prevailed of late and came With
almost startling unexpectedness even
to many OF the highest officials in the
army.
The proclamation means not only the
assembling or large force of troops.
but also the appointment of number
of major generals. brigadier generals,
colonies. majors. staff and field officers
for the organization of this additional
force Of $4,000 into army coS3s, divis-
ions. brigades and regiments.
The reasons leading up to the call
naturally were sources OF much conjec-
ture, and it was at first felt that the
possibility of foreign complications
was factor in bringing about this
new move.
1t speedily developed, however that
the call was not due to any latest or
serious emergency, but was rather in
the line of getting together large
body of men. to be drilled and seas
oned. and to constitute a sort of sec
ond reserve to be drawn upon later
when the campaigns were fully UNI
der way. Secretary Alger stated that
the determination to issue the call
had not been reached until late yes
terday- The merits of it have been
canvassed more or less for some weeks.
but it was not until a few hours be-
fore the call itself appeared. that the
movement was finally decided upon.
Coming thus unexpectedly, the War
Department had made no preparations
for the call and it will be some days
1,I.f. a.
the quotas from each state, the calls
to the respective governors of states;
the muStering points and the general
points of concentration.
All that is settled thus far is that the
enlistments are to be thrown open,
much as they were at the outbreak of
the civil war. and are not to be restict-
ed to the militia and national organi-
cations OF the several. states. 1t will
be an encouragement to the organiza-
ton of Independent volunteer compa-
MES and regiments. These will retain
s she1e 1aenslts 70 hlss
che appointment OF all company ana
regimental officers while only the bri-
gade. divisions. corps and staff officers
will be appointed by the President.
While the adjutant general has not
yet made up the quota of the several
states. the following is an approximate
estimate of the quotas of the follow
ing states: E. E5
Alabama, 1900; Florida, 45O Georgia,
sO5: Louisiana, 1.l64; Mississippi, l.755.
North Carolina, 1,545; South Carolina.
44s; Virginia. 1875. The organization
and division Of this extensive force is
yet to be arranged by the adjutant gem
erals office. Generally speaking. how
ever. the $4,000 men will suffice for the
formation of seventy five regiments.
With three regiments to brigade.
which is the present basis of o-gani-
cation. This makes twenty-five bril-
gades. In turn. eight divisions OF
three brigades each will be formed. and
out of those divisions the entire force
will be divided into three army corps.
The general division, is Of course, ten
tative. but 1t shows the general forma-
ton of this body OF troops. The new
forces will require, either by appoint
ment or by officers already appointed,
three major generals and about twenty
four brigadier generals. The law au-
thorizes the President to appoint ole
major general for each army corps
and one brigadie7' general for each
brigade.
nent that the details for the work Of
organizing this new force would not
be actively taken up for the present.
Just now the adjutant generals office
is engaged in completing the enlist-
ment of the $4,000 volunteers under
to complete this work, and not until
then will the real work of organizing
the volunteers under the second
begin.
Reports We're current today that an
army of invasion was about to start
for Cuba and Porto Rico. 1t was
based on the conjecture which has been
current o. late. but officials in author
ity gave it no endorsement, as it was
manifestly contrary to public policy to
give any advance information OF such
movement even il it were contem-
plated The report that General Miles
and his STAFF would leave tonight was
specifically denied, although it IS prop.
able the commanding general Wiii
leave for the South at an early date
At the close of the day at the Navy
Department, the situation as TO the
fleets. both American and Spanish, was
precisely an IL was this morning so
far as the officials know. the only no
table difference being an apparent
STRENGTHENING Of the confidence of the
officials in their belief that Cervera'
squadron is lying in the santiago mar
Dor In this hope and belief the oftl :
| Gals found great comfort. knowing the
abilities OF the American naval com
manders in Cuban waters to keep the
Spanish admiral bottled up in his mar
| row necked harbor until ne snouid sur
render or be starved out. III SerVera IS
| acludIly III UiAy LIE otlitiei'-'
| the slightest apprehension of any re-
lief coming to him from the outside
in the shape OF another Spanish squad :
ron from Cadiz. The reason fer TINS
belief is their unquestioned ability 70
| hold Cervera in check with only a rev
| vessels perhaps couple of monitors
and torpedo boats. thus leaving the re-
mainder Of the big armored fleet TO
take care OF any reinforcements that
might attempt to come from SPAN 10
Cervera's aid. The force that couia DC
| cnared for this service without endan-
gering the integrity Of the blockade at
Havana or permitting the escape OF
Ceryera would be much larger than the
entire Spanish naval force now ln
Spanish waters capable or cruising the
| Atlantic. =:
Within the past few weeks, or in fact
ever since the determination was pos.
itively reached to invade CUBA perort
the dry season next fall, there nave
t0r,o