The times., 1898-05-22

The Manila expedition continued TO be
the chief topic for consideration at the
War Department. Il viii be the next step
IN the Army plan Of campaign, and as
the exigencies OF Admiral Dewey's situ-
alton demand that there should be no
unavoidable deiay, no time is being lost
IN making preparations for as early a
start as possible.
Gen. Wesley Merritt, Of New York.
spent the greater part Of the day at the
War Department, completing arrange
ments for his expedition. No changes of
importance were made in his orders.
Frequent conferences were had with Sec
retary Alger and Adjt. Gen. Corbin and
Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn was also
consulted with regard to the work of Sc
curing transports.
The Government having conceded TO
Gen. Merritt all the men asked by him.
he was told yesterday morning by Adjt
Gen Corbin to prepare, among other
things, a list Of the men that he must
have" and proper orders would be sent
for them to report for duty at San Fran
cisco. Gen Merritt Immediately went
10 work upon his task, and, win The
whole Army TO choose from, named sew
ersl Of the companies that he was mar
ucularly anxious to take with him
Senator Sharp of Idaho and Carter of
Montana urged Gen. Merritt in case the
department saw fl TO allow him an in
creased cavalry force to take Col. Tor
rey's cowboy cavalry. This regiment is
anxious TO go TO Manila, and in case the
cavalry force of the expedition Is in
creased It Is thought that 1t wiil be Sc
lected.
Gen. Merritt, said that he had made
a persopal request for but one volunteer
regiment, the Thirteenth Minnesota
The Long Journey Regun.
Gen. Merritt completed all arrange
ments for his trip shortly after noon and
returned to his hotel, the shoreham, to
make preparations for his departure for
the West.
He left at $40 o'clock for Chicago ac-
eompanied by his aides-de-camp, Lieuts
Mott and Hale.
one important matter which delayed
the departure Of the general was his in
structions as military governor Of the
Philippines. These orders We're drawn
up by the Department of State The
first draft of the paper was prepared by
Assistant Secretary Moore. The final
draft had 10 be approved by Secretaries
Alger and Long.
The general seemed 10 be in a good
humor when he left and remarked: II
have been exceedingly anxious to get
away today, and am glad that have been
able TO do So"
The departure Of the Pel1in has been
delayed for some unaccountable reason
IT is now announced that It VIII leave
next Tuesday. The first infantry Will
leave the Presidia at San Francisco for
the transport on Sunday afternoon. The
Fourteenth Infantry and Fourth Cavalry
will also embark on the Pekin. 1t is said
that Il viii require an entire day to load
ammunition and supplies on the trans
port
The Cuban Invasion.
The Cuban invasion has not been aban-
eoned nor postponed, although there is
considerable delay in making prepara-
lions for the same. Every move is being
closely guarded. as IL is the intention Of
the War Department to keep all future
plans regarding the invasion secret 1t
In known, however. that the invasion idea
has not been given up. and, Furthermore,
that ii viii be carried out very shortly
When everything is ready Gen. Miles and
his stan VIII leave for Tampa and the
large transports VIII move from Port
Tampa for Cuban waters. The departure