The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-20
Army aud Navy Have Made Big Pre-
pa5st,ons.
SEVEN STEAM YACHTS PURCHASED.
They Will Be ServicsabIc In the
Shallow Cuban Matters.
rnE FIRST CALL TO ARMS.
National Guard.mcn Are TO ne Given
Prefcrcnce--Aosani Eject Ia 10
Navy What cavalry Ia to Army.

Washington, April 1e,Military and
naval preparations continued today With
undated yigor, Seven fleet steam yachts
suitable for navigation in Cuban waters
were procured aud several bids for steam
Golfers were made. Arrangements are
making TO utilize number OF the powerful
converted smooth-bore guns OF the late
war as armament for the auxiliary cruis-
ers. Many agents for ship owners We're at
the navy department today offering 10 sell
craft TO the government. but whether the
vessels are suitable the prices are said to
be excessive and no purchases were made
The important event in the war depart
tional guardsmcn under the first call for
troops, which will be very gratifying news
to the militiamen.
Some idea Of the cost OF transporting
troops may be formed from the fact that
II was necessary to allot 81 900 900 today to
defray the expenses of the movements al
ready ordered. Reports from all over the
country today indicated that the move
ments were going on with most gratifying
regularity. picturesque reminder of the
warlike conditions was presented right in
Washington by the departure for the South
OF the Sixth cavalry.
An allotment OF funds for balloon service
shows that the war department does not
propose TO ignore any OF tho latest scien-
tific aids 10 warfare.
The authoritative statement was made
at the war department today that on the
first call for troops only the National
Guards will be given an opportunity TO
volunteer for service. This abatement is
in accordance with those made by Secre
tary Alger to the National guardsmen who
called on him at the war department on
Saturday. when the modified Hull bill for
the expansion of the army in time of war
was under consideration. Secretary Algcr
the sound discretion and the dictates of
common sense. for the organized militia
have gone TO great expense and have de-
voted much time to perfectng themselves
fer military duty. Any course otherwise
would be destructive to the best interests
of the government. AS far as Is practicable
the State organizations entering volunteer
u,iI ali Int bn
ors OF the various States being permitted,
az they were in 1861, to designate reg-
mental officers, which will include those
OF the grades OF second lieutenants to col
onels. The president will reserve to him
self the right TO appoint the STAFF and field
officers.
Many applications have been made to the
war department. for permission TO volun
teer, and among men OF all creeds ma
tionalities and politics there is an e&pcc-
tation and desire to uphold the honor and
integrity OF the flag Of the Republic. 1t
was stated today that the first call for
troops would be for 10000 men. which 1t
is believed will constitute the entire
strength OF the National Guard at this
time, after deducting those who are sick
and otherwise iDcapaeltated for service.
The total strength or the guard OK re-
ported to the war department is llS,T6f
men.
Secretary Alger made several additional
allotments from the emergency fund for
the war department. Balloons will be used
at the various ports Of the country
Applications are reaching the war and
navy departments for the immediate pro-
lection OF supposedly exposed POINTS on
a. al, al haa I'd hn nff IL
Gals say u Is manlfestly impossible TO
comply with these requests. There would
be no !nducement for Spanish naval force
10 attack unforti1ed small coast towns and
such fears are largely groundless. Besides,
rules OF civilized warfare require that no
unfair means shall be taken OF unfortihed
towns.
Rear Admiral Slcard was today assigned
desk In the office of the secretary OF
the navy 10 act as his official adviser
Nearly all naval officers on detached Or
shore duty have put in applications to be
restored Immediately to sea service.
There appears TO be mistaken impress
sion In some quarters az TO the functions
OF the mosquito fleet. II is not destined for
shore guard nor yet for attack. but as OK
planned by one OF the naval strategists |
the primary use OF the vessels OF this feet |
will he to protect the battleships and other |
ironcl4ds from attacks by torpedo boats and
destfoycTs- me purpose IL 70 create III Tue |
navy something like The same system that |
pre- walls In the army In conducting hostile |
operations The batiIeshiIs correspond to
the heavy artillery. the mosquito fleet TO
infantry and the torpedo fleet to cavalry
The naval ordnance bureau Is unable to |
supply the enormous demand Cow made OH
1t for guns OF medium caibor. This Is the
case Notwithstanding the fact that nlmot
all the available ordnance OF this character |
!n foreign markets has been purchased.
A large part OF the guns that have been !
set apart for the auxiliary navy have been |
absorbed by the recently purchased Morgan |
line vessels and II u the intention OF the |
board 10 supply deficiencies in the arma-
menf of tho vessels b. the use of the con- !
verted smooth bore They will be replaced |
by modern weapons Just as fast az the new
guns can be turned out.
TOday's Auditorium Programme.
he price OF admission az the Auditorium
concert from TO s this afternoon will be