The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-02
GEN. ALGER
ASKSF0R FUNDS.
Large Sums Needed to Oefray the
Expenses of Invasion.
REQUIRED FOR IMMEDIATE USE.
Money Asked For to Maintain Electro
cal Communication - Means of
Transportation Needed In
Cuba-Other Items.
REQUIRED FOR IMMEDIATE USE.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June LIN a
significant recommendation submitted to
Congress to-day, Secretary Alger,
through the medium Of letter accom-
panying his recommendations, outlines In
a general way the steps contemplated
in the campaign contemplated against
Cuba. Porto Rico and the Philippines.
The letter is from Chief Engineer Lud-
low who makes the important state
ment that IL Is now proposed 10 for
ward 10 Cuba an army OF invasion, 10
be composed OF 1900 or 10000 troops, to
be followed as rapidly as practicable
by 10000 more. Appropriations aggre-
eating $3.Ol7,O90 are asked for by the
Secretary one recommendation Is for
81 200, 900 in deficiency Tor gun and mortar
batteries, required immediately for the
use OF the War Department, TO remain
available until spent"
This amount is needed TO provide en-
placements for carriages of high power
and rapid-fre guns, TO be procured by
the Ordnance Department with the
funds already appropriated.
IMMEDIATE INVASION.
A second one IS for ;l95 100000. 'for the
establishment and maintenance OF sDe-
cial electrical communication in
connection with the army In
cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip
pine islands" Then follows .signih-
cant recommendation for 900 for an
expeditionary force 10 Cuba. required
by the War Department for Immediate
use"
The items are as follows: For ma
chinery and equipment for the construc-
ton and repair Of roads. $4,000; con-
struction and equipment Of military rail-
road S225. 900: additional intrenching tools
electrical appliances. Photographic and
Topographic outfits Instruments. and
maps. manuals and for special and tech
nicl services. $4,000 contingencies invov-
ing immediate expenditure of Imperative
urgency that cannot be specified In ad-
vance TO he expended under the direction
OF the Major-General commanding the
| army, $4,000.
EXPEDITION OUTLINED.
The letter outlining the eXpedtionary
project against Cuba Is written by Cen
eral Ludlow whose special engineering
services were availed Of by secretary
Alger 10 outline what was needed. 1t IL
dated May 22d. was forwarded by Score
tary Alger and says:
Referring TO my letter OF April z5th.
covering the project OF the invasion OF
Cuba with a force of 5000. ] invite at
which have been made dependable under
the army deficiency act approved May
9, 1893 This did not include several items
that while important could temporarily
be omitted on the supposition that no
immediate movement would be made. Fur-
thermore the project for transfer to CUBA
of an expeditionary force has been mater
ially modified In that instead Of an as
sumed force OF 5000 for the establish
ment Of a depot and base of supplies IT Is
nov, proposed 5000 troops 10 be followed
40 rapidly as practicable by 5000 more.
II IS therefore, necessary 10 make pro-
vision for the greatly augmented scale
I'm which the expedition Is TO nc equipped
and for its forward movement in th'
direction of Cuba"
General Ludlow says for obvious rea-
sons the plans in detail cannot be given.
but that in general way they can be
outlined The general nature OF these
engineering provisions, however. may be
clearly indicated and in fact estimated
for
THE RAINY SEASON HINDRANCE.
In the ensuing campaign account must
he taken Of the fact that the rainy season
in Cuba covers the summer months and
must be anticipated as affecting the time
and means required for transportation in
order not to delay movements and i'm
peru health. There are few regularly
built roads in Cuba, the principal ones
being westward of Havana. 1t Is not
likely that these roads have been Kept IN
repair and it is quite certain that others
must be constructed and maintained.
This will require road making machin-
cry as economzng the labor of troops
and leaving them free for the purely mill
tarv work for which the numbers in ques-
ton will not be more than sufficient TO
equal the enemy.
In addition special means OF transport
tation will be necessary and portable
three-feet railways must be provided both
on the established lines and along such
additional and connecting lines as may be
feasible and expedient.
For railways there should not be less
than thirty miles OF track and suitable
equipment, which may be estimated at
s.. 600 per mile for track and $3.50 per
mile for equipment. The total Of this
item therefore is $22J 900. Three outfits OF
road making machines including rock
quarrying and crushing apparatus, road
rollers, ditchers and graders will cost at
s. 900 each, say, S25. 600. In addition there
should be an additional allowance Of,
say. 100000 for electric lights, dynamite
M forpodo oppgapcoc tpc o.