Evening star., 1898-05-30

direct question this morning replied very
decidedly that it would be impolitic to
make any statement on that subject; II
would only serve to give the Spanish in
Cuba an opportunity to mass forces at GER
tain points and thereby expose the Amerf-
can troops to unnecessary dangers. Cen
erai Miles is prepared for instant depart
ure special car prepared for the COM
manding general and his staff lies on a sid
ing at the Pennsylvania station here ready
to start whenever needed The general
himself refuses to tell when he will move,
cut there were signs at army headquarters
this morning that indicated an early de-
parture, possibly tonight
AoJt Gen. Corbin said today that 121 500
troops had been mustered insthe volunteer
army under the call for 125.OOO men. and
that the remaining $500 men were in state
camps. eady for the visit of the mastering
officers. He said that all the states and
territories had filled their quota so far as
the recruiting Of the troops is concerned,
ana that while three states were appar-
ently behind, 1t was not their fault, but
was due to the inability of the mastering
omcers to complete their work The appar-
ent shortage is divided among the states
OF Iowa, Mississippi and North Carolina,
5,oOo men. The troops are in camp. how
ever, awaiting the action Of the govern
ments officers, end will be mustered into
the volunteer army in day or two.
Secretary Alger MT His Desk.
decoration day at the War Department
vas a holiday in name only, so far as the
greater part Of the officials were concerned,
as they were at their desks most of the
day. The department was technically
closed for the day, but notwithstanding this
large number of visitors put in an ap-
pearance and saw Secretary Alger and his
assistants. The Secretary remained until
about IL O'Clock, when he went to the Ar
lirgton national cemetery to witness the
exercises at that place. Assistant Secre-
tary Meiklejohn also intended to go. but
was detained because of the pressure of
business matters
Major General Butler Of South Carolina
recently appointed. was among the callers
at the War Department this morning. The
general expects to return to his South Caro-
ma nome in day or two to attend to
some important matters, after which he
Will return to Washington for orders.
Start to BE Made Thursday.
1t Is understood that Commodore Schley
Is deslrous OF attacking the Spanish fleet,
Iropably being satisfied by his success In
scouting that this would be feasible Sec
retary Long, however, said this morn. ng
mat the department had not decided vet
to permit the forcing of the harbor 1t is
understood that military operations will
be begun at once. The expectation is that
sufncient force will be landed in the
vicinity OF Santiago to take possession of
that end of the island, which is entirely
Isolated from the Spanish army with
Blanco, and that Santiago will be reduced
and the Spanish fleet captured If the ves-
seis are not destroyed and abandoned by
the Spanish admiral This movement will
not be regarded in the sense of a general
invasion Of the Island of Cuba, and a COM
parativefy small force in that section
would enjoy immunity from attack by
Blanco's forces around Havana
1t is still the purpose to take possession
OF Porto Rico before the general invasion
OF cuba and the attack upon Havana IT
is believed that orders to this effect have
already been issued, though that cannot be
asserted positively. Very early this morn
ing the Secretary Of the Navy and the Sec
retary of War were at the departments
and number Of cipher dispatches were
sent from both departments.
1t Is understood that the transports are
all ready to carry the invading army. and
that the army to land in Cuba will be en-
barked and start Thursday