The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-01
CHANCES GOOD FOR TROOPS
GEN. MILES WILL CONSIDER sAvAN-
NAB IN PLACING THEM

MAYOR NcIdrim Believes SuNa nan
win Get Body of TroODs-AIder-
man GucI1enheimer and Owens
Talk.
Il consider the chances for the location
of a body of troops at Savannah excel
lent" Mayor p w Meldrim said LAST
night on his return from Everett, to
which point on the Florida Central and
Peninsular he accompanied Gen. Nelson A.
Miles, whose special train was bearing
him 10 Tampa.
Having learned through telegraphic ad-
vices from Washington that the DISPOSE
ton of the troops would be left to Gen.
Miles the committee from the City Coun-
Gil TO which was left the matter of find
inf out whether troops could he secured
for Savannah. determined. of course, that
the next thing 10 do was TO see him, and
place before him the advantages which
Savannah can offer for the care and com
fort of a body Of army men.
When Mayor Meldrim learned that Cen
Miles accompanied 10y his staff was 10 pass
through Savannah yesterday afternoon, he
decided to ware in advance Of the arrival
of the train and see If arrangements could
not be made to have conference with MIN
upon his arrival here. This was to be ac-
complshed by the committee going short
distance down the road on Gen. Miles spe-
Ciai train.
A favorable reply was received and IN
the afternoon the committee composed of
Mayor Meldrim Aldermen owens and
Guckenheimer, aud Capt Cassius l.. Gil
lette Corps OF Engineers, Went out 20 the
Florida Central ana Peninsular Junction
about O'Clock, and met the special The
train did not come into the city for the rea-
son that Gen. Miles and the members OF
his party desired to save time. The mem
bers of the committee from Council were
introduced to Gen. Miles by Capt. Gillette
VINO served for a year and half on the
staff OF the commander-iu-chief of the
army. and they were most cordially re
ceiyed.
In Gen Miles private car between sa-
vannah and Everett they had ample OPP
portunity for discussing The question OF
securing troops for Savannah, and the de-
tails were thoroughly gone into. Gen.
Miles said that the first consideration with
him would be the health of his men, ana
upon points in that connection he asked
numerous questions.
Mayor Meldrim and the committee, Of
course, assured him of the advantages pos
sfssed by Savannah in that respect, boJn
as to climate, drainage and water supply,
and told him what The city would do for
the benefit of the soldiers in case they
should be sent here
Mayor Meldrim gathered that it Is prac-
tically certain that Tampa will not be
made a permanent camping ground for
any considerable number of the troops
and neither Will Jacksonville. If the men
do not soon go from Tampa into Cuba,
or should there be reason for any consid-
cradle delay it Is not expected that the
army Of 10000 men now at Tampa viii
long remain there.
il is probable that schools of instruction
will be established at various places which
afford the proper advantages, in the event
that there is any delay in the invasion of
Cuba, and even If there should be none,
such camps will be needed for the second
army of volunteers which is soon 10 be
called out
Gen. Miles asked the committee, among
other things, if a sufficiently large camp
ing ground for a division could be secured
here, and if 1t could be unanswered. The
committee assured him that ample space
could be provided without any difficulty.
He was also informed that the city con-
templated extending the water mains for
the purpose of supplying such a camping
ground, should 1t be used
Another subject upon which Cen Miles
asked Information was as to facilities for
moving the troops promptly whenever
they are needed He was also assured by
the committee on this point, and it was
shown that there would be no difficulty on
that score.
Il consider our interview with Gen.
Miles a most satisfactory one" Mayor
Meldrim said, at an early hour this morn
Ing, on his return from Everett City. "Of
course. he could not assure us that our
request would be granted but he seemed
much interested in the Information we
gave him, and asked questions upon many
points. Before leaving him at Everett
City he asked me to have prepared a
statement OF the situation here, giving all
information with reference to Quartering
and handling troops and TO send It to him
at Tampa, and this I VIII have done at
once
Gen. Miles seemed to think from what
We told him that Savannah might be a
good point for the location of a certain
number of troops. and from what he said
there is no doubt that he win take the
matter under consideration. / believe my
self thai we viii get a body OF troops To-
Gated here. GUST when or how many there
may be- OF course, It is impossible to saw.
but everything considered there is no
doubt that our chances are most favor
able"
None of the members OF the committee
mentioned the matter of the work now be-
fore the army. II is a subject which. OF
wisdom naturally suggested that nothing
be said about IT,
Gen. Miles will proceed directly TO
Tampa, where he will establish tenpor-
erily the headquarters of the army. lie
VIII personally direct the movements OF
the troops and the invasion of Cuba
Following is the personnel of his party,
Gen. Miles, Mrs. Miles, Miss Miles ana
Sherman Miles, Gen. Rogers, Gen. stone
Col, Maus Col. Michael, Col. Osgood. Mai
DAILY, chief surgeon; Mai. Seyburn, Mai
Davis, Capt Alger, Lieut. Rowan. Lieut..
Parker and Lieut. Townsley.
Gen. COLLAGE and Col. Hernandez. Of the
Cuban army, were of the party. as were
alec four privates OF the Sixth Cavalry.
who viii act as orderles, and eleven sec
retaries and clerks.
Mayor Meldrim said the committee. in
his opinion, really accomplished more bv
this interview with Gen. Miles than would
have beeu possible by going TO Washing
ton.
Alderman Owens was greatly pleased
with the reception given the committee
by Cen Niles who was found cordial and
entertaining. The party was first intro
duced 10 Mrs. Miles and Miss Miles. with
whom a few moments was pleasantly