The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
With the View of Capturing Spain's
Army or Compelling 1t to Prompts
~ Surrender.
REGULARS TO MOVE MONDAY
ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTS
TION NOT YET COMPLETE.
Important Conference Regarding the
AIilitia-NavaI PFeparatiOns-The
Texas Ready to Fight Anything.

WASHINGTON, April 16.-It was an
nounced at the Navy Department to-day
that there was no intention or necessity for
the assignment of naval vessels for the
transportation of troops to Cuba in the
event that such step was determined on
1t was explained that the. War Department
would have entire charge and direction of
the transportation of the military forces,
both by land and water, and that the
quarternaster general is now engaged in
making complete preparations for the char
ter of a fleet of steam vessels for use in
transporting troops to Cuba in the event
that such movement is ordered by the
President. The only part that the navy
would play in a case of this kind would be
TO send suitable fleet OF war ships along
with the expedition for its protection and
safe conduct. The general understanding
among military and naval officials is that
the army and navy when the proper time
arrives, will make a joint Demonstration in
great force against the Spanish capital in
Cuba, and that smaller expeditions will be
organized for the purpose of landing troops
at Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos
and other points on the island, with view
to the capture or surrender OF the Spanish
army and the establishment of a stable
government in Cuba.
General Miles said this afternoon that the
movements of troops to the South ordered
yesterday will not begin until Monday at
the earliest There was no special occasion
for haste in the matter, he said and there
were also certain formalities TO be observed
in arranging with the railroad companies
for this transportation. IT is believed the
cavalry at Fort Meyer and the Fourth Ar
tillery at Washington Barracks will hardly
start on their journey before Monday even
ing or Tuesday morning next.
An important conference was held this aft
erfioon in the Office of the secretary of
war, the purpose of which was to perfect
arrangements for the use of the national
guard of the States and Territories in ma
tional defense in case it becomes necessary
to reinforce the regular army. There were
present Secretary Alger General Miles
Adjutant General Corbin, Colonel Wagner,
of the military bureau Of information. Rep
resehtative Hull, chairman of the House
military committee. and the adjutant gen.
erals of the naval guard organizations of
nearly every State and Territory in the
United States. 1t is expected the confer
ence will result in an agreement as to a
form of legislation which will remedy the
conflicting relations Of the regular army
and the militia at present organized.
Adjutant General Corbin said to-day in
the most positive terms that no call for vol
unteers for military service, either militia
men or Others would be made unless such
step is authorized by Congress and ap-
proved by the President. He said that all
the details of such call rested in the hands
of the President and so far as he General
e rbin) knew nothing had been settled in
the matter beyond decision to make a
call in case of necessity and fally author
ized by Congress- 1t was impossible for
him to say at this time how many are like
ly 10 be called out under the first call, but
IN ne nn sfonC Ir1 49, = D..
dent had practically decided, in event of
legislation to that end to issue proclama-
Corbin said that if this was done the call
would be apportioned among the different
states and Territories, according to the pop
forces would be left entirely to the judg-
ment of the Governors of the several States
and Territories, on whom would devolve the
power of selecting all officers of the differ
ent volunteer organizations. The War De-
partment recognizes the complete jurisdic-
ton of the Governors in the matter of the
organization of the volunteer troops raised
in their respective States.
Secretary Alger, in reply to a specific in
CURRY on the subject said to-day that no
call on the militia of the several States
will be made by the President until Con-
gress passes a resolution of intervention.
This authoritative statement disposes of the
rumors that have been persistently circu-
lated during the past few days that a call
of this kind will be made within a certain
specific time The action thus far taken
by the government in the matter of troops
has pSeH cOHIlneu entirely TO the issue OF
orders tor the concentration of the regular
army in the South. -Four or five days will
elapse before General Miles will start South
TO take active command of the army in the
field. The expectation is that he will take
with him his personal staff. as follows:
general; Captain F. Michel. Fifth cavalry.
Captain NJ. T: NIaps. First Infantry; Cap.
tain Edward Davis. Third Artillery. and
Chief Clerk ]. 3. Morton. of the generals
office y
General Wilson. chief of engineers. is
making arrangements to have pontoon or
bridge train at the disposal of the army TO
faeilltate the movement. of troops on the
march and Il Is possibly a train of this
character Will form part OF the army now
on its way TO the various rendezvous on
the Southern coasts. All the officers at
tached to the artillery school at Fort Mon
roe, Va, aud also the officers on duty at
colleges and institutions of learning as pro-
lessons OF military tactics and instructions
have been ordered TO Join their regiments
The Navy Department has purchased the
Juniata. of about two hundred tons register,
fitted out repair ship. Her duty will
be confined largely TO following the Vessels
of one of the big fleets to make promptly
Captain Charles D. Sigsbee who COM
manded the battle ship Maine at the time
of the explosion. has left here for New
conduct the vessel from New York to
cramps ship yard at Philadelphia, where
tons necessary. Captain Casper of the
Goodrich, will take charge of the st. Louis
as SOun as the snip arrives at New York
from Europe. The American liners Paris
and New York will be commanded by Cap
tain A. l.. Barker and Frederick Rodgers.
respectively. The latter is now the presi,
dent OF the board of inspection Of auxiliary
vessels
Following is a copy of the orders issued
to-day by General Miles regarding the tenn
porary commands of departments made va
want by the detail of their commanders to
bfigades OF the army in the South Briga-
der General William r. Shafter viii trans
Ter temporarily the command of the De
partment Of California TO Brigadler General
Henry g. Merriam. who will continue 10
command the Department OF the Columbia
also. Brigadier General Henry c. Merriam
will assume temporary command Of the
Department of California in addition Ia
commanding the Department Of the Colo