Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-06-02
SECOND
CALL
Mckinley Asks for $4,000
Additional Vol
unteerS.
Presidents Proclamation
Comes Quite Unex-
peCtedly.
Wisconsin Will Furnish
About 1905 More
Men.

Washington, May 26.-The event of
yesterday in the war situation was the
issuance of a proclamation by the
president calling for $4,000 more vol
unteers. 1t added new and stirring
phase to the lethargic conditions which
have prevailed of late and came with
almost startling uneXpectedness even
to many of the high officials in the
army. The reasons leading up to the
call naturally We're sources of much
conjecture, as it was at first felt that
the possibility of foreign complications
was factor in bringing about this
new move 1t speedily developed,
however, that the call was not due to
any latent orserious emergency, but
was rather in the line of getting to-
gether large body of men to be drill
ed and seasoned and to constitute a
sort of second reserve to be drawn up
on later when the campaigns are fully
under way.
Secretary Alger said that the de-
termination to issue the call had not
been decided upon till late Tuesday.
Coming thus unexpectedly, the war
department made no preparation for
executing the call, and it will be some
days before the details are worked out
as to the quotas from each state. All
that is settled thus far is that enlist
ments are to be thrown open, much as
they were at the outbreak of the civil
war and are not to be restricted to the
militia and national guard organiZa-
tons Of the several states. 1t will be
an encouragement to the organization
of independent volunteer companies
and regiments. These will retain
their identity to a certain extent as
state troops, as the governors will have
the appointment of all company and
regimental officers, while only brigade,
division, corps and staff officers will
be appointed by The president.
While the adjutant generals Office
has not yet undertaken to make up the
quotas of the several states, an ap-
pOXimate estimate on the state quotas
shows: Illinois, 1929; Iowa, 2,264;
Michigan, 1922; Missouri, 3,246; Ne
braska, LAG; South Dakota, LILO;
Wisconsin, 1866.
The new force will require three
major generals and about twenty-four
brigadier generals. 1t was stated at
the war department that the details
for the work OF organizing this new
force would not be actively taken up
for the present. Just now the adju-
tant generals Office is engaged In COM
pleting the enlistment Of the $4,000
volunteers under the first call.
Reports were current yesterday that
an army OF invasion was about to
start for Cuba and Porto Rico. 1t
was based on conjecture, but the Of
hcials in authority gave 1t no en-
dorsement. II is probable that Gen.
Miles and staff will leave for the
outh early today.
At the close OF the day at the navy
apartment the situation as to the
eets, both American and Spanish,
yas precisely as 1t was in the morn
ng, so far as the officials know, the
only notable difference being an APP
parent Strengthening Of the confidence
OF the officials in their belief that Ger
vera's squadron is lying in Santiago
harbor. In this hope and belief the
officials found great comfort, knowing
the abilities of the American naval
commanders in the Cuban waters to
keep the Spanish admiral bottled up
in this narrow neck harbor until he
shall surrender or be starved out. II
Cervera is actually at bay, the Of
fcials feel not the slightest apprehen-
sion Of any relief coming to him out
side Of another Spanish squadron from
Cadlz. The reason for this belief is
their unquestioned ability to hold
Cervera in check with only few
vessels-perhaps couple of monitors
and torpedo boats-thus leaving the
remainder of the big armored feet
and the great number Of unarmored
but seryicable war craft to take care
Of any reinforcements that might at
tempt to come from Spain to Cervera's
aid. The force that could be spared
for this service, without endangering
the integrity Of the blockade at Ha-
vana or permitting the escape Of Ger
vera would be much larger than the
entire Spanish naval force now in
the Spanish waters capable Of cross
ing the Atlantic.