The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-10
HAS NOT MET THE ENEMY
NO REPORT EXPECTED FOR
SEVERAL DAYS.
PLANS FOR SPEEDY MOVE ON CUBA
indications Point to Short, Sharp and Speedy
Campaign--ProvisiOns for MobiIizirg,
Transporting and Feeding Many
Thousands Of Troops.

Washington, ID. c., May 9.-There is
the best authority for the statement that
to-day having passed without a report
from Admiral Sampson, the Navy De-
partment does not expect to hear from
him within several days. The authority
for this statement is fully acquainted
with Admiral SIMPSONS plans, and the
remark would seem to indicate that the
Admiral having failed to find the enemy
at the place expected, had turned his att
tentiOn to the alternative project. What
this is cannot be ascertained. 1t is
evident, however, that the department is
under no apprehension as to the safety
of the American feet, nor of any vessel
Of the fleet
The War Department saw fit to-day to
crafty the universal desire and inform
the country through the press just where
the various State volunteer organizations
are to be concentrated. 1t is the first
time that any official statement has been
made as to the points Of concentration
themselves. The order as published
by the department is thought in some
quarters to warrant the assumption that
il cOntemDlates a speedy movement of
the United States military forces upon
Cuba, and in much greater force than
was originally planned. The War De
partment officials refuse to say anything
On this point, but there is every evidence
that they expect short, sharp, conclu-
siYe and immediate campaign, such as
could not be waged by five or ten thou
sand soldiers. 1t is also to be noted that
preparations made by the Quarter
masters Department, and the Commits
sary's Department, so far as is disclosed
by actual orders, Indicate that provi-
sion is being made for moblizing, trans
porting and feeding many thousands of
men outside of the United States.
With a view to systematizing the great
work Of m0biliZing the forces and put-
ting them in service, the War Depart
ment has planned a scheme, which it is
believed. will very much hasten the
work of getting the men together and
equipping them, while avoiding any con-
gestiOn of the railroad traffic, such as
is always to be apprehended in cases of
war Instead OF allowing all the troops
called for from particular State to be
assembled and broken in at the rendeZv-
Gus the department is instructing its
mastering officers to complete the or
ganizatiOn of regiments as rapidly as
possible and as soon as one is organized
to report the fact to the department
when the regiment will be ordered at
once to the point selected for cOncentra-
ton In this way the government will
be greatly relieved in the distribution of
stores. which will be called for only as
fast as they are needed. The men also
will be more amenable to discipline when
quickly transferred to the concentration
points outside of their own States 1t
is the expectation that the first regi-
ment organized and reported from the
States will be sent to Chattanooga,
thence going to Cuba via Mobile. Tampa,
New Orleans and Galveston, for expe-
ditions will be dispatched from each of
these ports. The Governor of State
will have no hand in the designation OF
the regiments to go to particular con-
centration camps; the destination will
depend upon the promptness with which
the volunteers are organized, and are
ready for transportation. Probably
about One-third of the entire levy called
for by the President, or about 10000
troOps. will constitute the force to be-
sent south to take part in the first Gu
ban service, following the regular army
forces. These troops will be the first
to receive their equipment. When they
are organized, equipped and concentrated
the government will be ready to equip
the second contingent; namely the forces
about equal to another third of the total
call, which will be assigned to the de-
fences of the coast and harbOrs, replac-
ing the regular United States troops
Withdrawn from those points.
When these are equipped, the govern
ment will turn its attention to the third |
class. comprising the last third of the |
125OOO volunteers called for 1t is the
sincere hope of the War Department that
II will not he called upon to fully equip
these troops before hostilities are at an
end. but the work of preparation is pro-
ceeding on the contrary assumption.
This third division will constitute the
second reserve to be drawn upon for re-
Inducements whenever needed, and 1t is !
nossible that the men never will be called |
upon to leave their own States unless
the plans of the War Department mis-
carry. 1t may be remarked by the way |
that ont of the frst-class will come the
troops which viii be sent to the Philp- |
pine Islands. General Miles has pre-
pared n scheme changing the boundaries
of the present departments to facilitate
the working out of this plan, and 1t IS |
now before Secretary Alger for endorse
ment. The responses so far received
from the mastering officers continue 70
be very encouraging.