New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-21
IN war. than in any other single class IL eA
pected 10 improve materially the efficiency OF 'h'
service Just when 1t is most needed.
MILES SOON TO LEAVE WASHINGTON.

n.cted N improve materially the efficiency OF the
service just when 1t is most needed
MILES SOON TO LEAVE WASHINGTON
General Miles is preparing to leave "ashihs-
ton at the end Of the week with his stan 10 III
spect the troops at the four places IN the "oo'i''
lie Will go slrst to Chickamauga lie mas maui
n rcuuist;on for ten horses for 'he aooi'ioi"'
members Of his staff who will accompany ''''.'
Lieutenant Colonel Gilmore VIII De ei. ~
charg, Of Army Headquarters. "hich VIII w
maintained In Washington until the invasion "a
f.ubo actually begins Ali orders to the troops
wifi, continue to issue from Washington uh'ii
General Miles takes command in the field
EXoRBIrANT PRICES FOR MULES.
ouartermas.er-Ceneral Ludington has met
with a serious setback in his efforts 10 proVio"
a mule train Of 600 animals TO be used m
steod ~ army wagons in transporting supplies
for the army through the rondless distric's OF
Cuha In response to his first reQuisition TOT
1000 mules he secured only GOO ana these
cost 500 each. Heretofore prices have ranged
from so to 500 for the finest animals All the
other bids he received this week ranged from
$50 10 $50 indicating a disposition on 'he
mart 81 Missouri breeders. who have heretofore
sold most Of the mules to the Army. TO proht
ex,ravagantIy by the Governments urgent
called for bids from Tennessee. Kentucky ana
other States where mules are raised. and I'M
Ices a mule trust has been formed ne expects
bv the end OF next week to secure all the AMI
mails required The necessary pack saddles ana
harnesses are being manufactured. and force
Of packers is being rapidly recruited.
\ communication received at the war De-
partment from the president OF the Lone S'"r
Steamship Line. containing statistics OF the
imnor;s of cattle into Cuba. gives a good deal
of satisfaction TO the Department officials IL
shows that 1850 head Of cattle were so I'M
ported last year and that at present the sup
ply OF meat on hand is very short THIS would
greatly aid the task OF reducing the island by
blockade and starvation.
GUARD FOR THE CAPITAL
One Of the first volunteer organizations which
IA expected to respond to the Presidents call IS
the National Guard Of the District or Colu nDin'
which is In the highest state OF eftciShcy' IL
will probably be retained at the captal 10
guard public buildings. especially the nile
House and the State War and Navy Depart
ments. and to garrison Fort Mysr. Mos. OF Its
men are Government employees. and many Oh
them could not be spared to so to the front
without detriment to the Govern 1ent service.
-<-
WAR COUNCIL AT WHITE HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENT SPENT YESTERDAY IN Gun
FERENCE WITH SECRETARIES AND OFFICERS
Washington April 20.-The President spent
near,y all Of the afternoon with prominent Of
flcials discussing war measures secretary
Alger, Secretary Long. General Miles Ge"erai
schofeld and Captain Crowninshield were WIN
him until nearly = o'clock. General Niles
brought with him several maps and other docu-
ments, and 1t is believed that the matters under
discussion had special reference to the contem
plated movement against Cuba Al about o:lo
o'clock the conference broke up and the Presi-
dent and General Alger took drive.
Another matter which occupied a share OF the
time this afternoon YVES the question OF issuing
a proclamation calling for volunteers IN an
t!cpa,ion Of the early passage Of the pencing
bill authorizing the President to raise a Voiun-
teer army. The form Of the proclamation IL Is
said has been dete. mined upon