The San Francisco call., 1898-04-07

NE " l OISA, Api II W oSlld6 tOii special to the Herald says: Orders to concentrate the military forces of the United States at Chickamauga and other points in the South will not be held many days longer. Detached com mands of the army are ready to move on receipt of telegraphic orders and when orders are given it will be for immediate and decisive operations.
 Major General Miles commanding the army made this reply tonight to ques tions of mine regarding the status of military preparations in anticipation of a declaration of war. I called General Miles attention to reports that the National Guards of various States are to be called this week for the purpose of testing their efficiency and making a display with the regular army for the benefit of Spain-a military demonstra- tion of the power of the country to quickly put an immense armed force in the field.
 General Miles declared that such re- ports are absolutely without founda- tion. He said to me: When the army moves and the National Guard is called out it will be for serious business, not for experiment and display. The idea of our exploiting our armed strength as a man puts on hideous mask thinking somebody will run away in fear is pre- posterous. The situation Is most seri- ous. Both Spain and the United States are making heroic preparations for war. There is nothing in the situation to lead one to think war can be avoided. It Is expected and prepared for, for war is probably near at hand The next orders to troops will be for a general move ment for active service in the South and on the coast. They may not be issued until the effect of the Presidents mes sage to Congress on Monday has de- cided our position. Of course If the situation in the meantime should take more serious turn troops would move f immediately"
 As previously stated in the Herald. all the troops east of Denver are fully an hours notice. The general plans of the War Department contemplate concentration of the greater part of the regular military force and of Ma tional Guards which may be called out at Chickamauga Park, Tenn.
 Detachments of tn infantry and cavalry will be distributed at the prin- cipal sea coast points to support the ar tilery against hostile landing parties.
 Troops at the general rendezvous will undergo a constant and thorough drill in tactics, and from the concentrated force will be selected regiments con- sidered the best adapted to do effective work in Cuba All regular troops are fitted for this service barring only their liability to become incapacitated by the climate and disease Of Cuba. National Guards will be subjected to thorough inspections to determine their varying degrees of efficiency. AS many trained colored troops as possible, both regulars and militia, will be utilized on account of the immunity from evil eff fects of the Cuban climate.
 When the picked troops nave been finally selected and drilled as a homo geneous organization the plans for the reduction of Havana will be quickly carried into effect. From fifty thousand to sixty thousand troops, m transports | that will be ready to receive them at gulf ports selected for points of em- | barkation, will cross the gulf under convoy of battleships and cruisers now | in the vicinity of Key West. It will rest with the military and naval authorities to select a port of authorization accord ing to conditions existing at the time the expedition is ready The choice will lie between Tampa. Pensacola and Mo- bile A comprehensive plan of cam paign against Ha5ana has been pre- pared. It's details are necessarily guarded with the greatest secrecy. In general it contemplates a naval block | ade of Havana and land siege by United States troops which will take station in the rear of the city. Several batteries of field artillery will be en- trenched in a commanding position, supported by infantry and cavalry. Provisions ample to support the troops l for many weeks will have been trans ported and communication with Key West and Tampa will be established with dispatch boats. Should the Span | ish Notifications and military force at Matanzas be sufficient to be a menace to the conduct of the siege of Havana the former city will be taken care of in the general plan in advance of the l main movement upon Havana. Co., operation by Cuban insurgents is an- ticipated, but is not relied upon as a necessary element in the situation. l