Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-28

Washington, April 24.-The pres
ident yesterday called upon the peo-
pie for the first time in thirty years
to manifest their martial strength.
The secretary of war created a new
army corps. The two steps together
with the other news of the day.
showed that the regular army soon
will move on Cuba, and that mean
while volunteers will be equipped and
drilled. The presidents proclamation,
while actually issued, was not certi-
fed to the governors of the states
and will not be until tomorrow. The
war department desires to avoid de-
stroying the present organization of
the nationl guard, which is to be
called into service first. The guard
regiments are composed of twelve
companies and being oficered more
numerously than the regular army
regiments, would have to be changed
TO correspond to the army organiza-
| ton in order to comply with the law.
The pending Hull bill, however, pro-
yides for the meeting of just such an
emergency, and permits the use of
the national guard as organized The
second consideration which influenced
the department in postponing the GER
| tification of the call until tomorrow
is desire to make sure adequate ar
| rangements can be completed by the
quartermaster and commissary's
departments for the transporting and
feeding of the large numDer or men
called for.
Ieiegrams are coming from almost
every section OF country to Secretary
Alger from governors aiIu militia OF
! GERS COW eylng information as 10 the
| length Ct lime required ny them 20
gather the forces ready Tor muster.
The men as fast DIS mustered in will
be brought TO one of three great de-
kots, Washington, Richmond or Allan
ia. The fact that Richmond was
named as one Of these points is taken
as evidence That ritz hugh Lee is to
receive a volunteer commission either
as one Of the four heterogeneous or
one of the nine brigadier generals pro-
Vided for IN the volunteer bill, TOR LI
is believed that it was largely at his
instance that Richmond was selected
as one of the points Of concentration.
In anticipation of the certification of
the presidents call, a vast number OF
letters and kilograms has begun to
flow in upon Alger, offering the services
of the senders as volunteers in the
army. The secretary has asked the
press to notify the people that such
communications should be directed to
the governors of states and territories.
The formation of the grand army
corps in the department of the south,
with headquarters at the three given
points, is evidence that the govern
ment is to move upon Cuba at once
with troops of the regular army, leav-
ing the volunteers just called for to be
disciplined and worked into shape for
future use in the campaign.
The people of the District of Column
bia will see a great many soldiers be-
ginning this week. By the direction
of the president, the entire national
guard of the District, 1900 strong
will be ordered into camp tomorrow
morning at the soldiers home. While
it is the purpose OF the war depart
ment to secure only national guards
men, as far as possible under this
first call for volunteers, yet in states
where there is no national guard, or
where the number falls below the
quota stated in the call, the states will
be expected to supply volunteers re-
CARELESS of lack of organization. On
the basis of the call for lbs, 900 men,
Illinois will be called to furnish 6,60a
volunteers, Iowa, 3,772 and Wisconsin
3,274.
The navy department was consider
ably excited Saturday over the vast
number of rumors from all sources re-
porting the seizures of ships. Secre-
tary Long said that he mad notice of
only one seizure so far, that
Of the Buena Ventura al
ready reported. 1t is not
yet determined what disposition will
be made of this ship, nor has is been
decided to order her before a prize
court. Word came during the day in
the shape of a cable from Martinique
that the Sanish ship Alicante and also
the Montserrat had sailed from ST.
Pierre for some Cuban port having on
board 800 men.
The message recommending a decla
ration of war to go to congress to NOR
row was under preparation during the
day in connection with the study
Of the neutrality laws.