Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-25
WAR MEASURES.

The call for he, 900 volunteers having
been issued (the enlistment being for
two years. these troops will be modified
at Washington, Richmond, Atlanta and
another point, and will Immediately
take up the routine of soldier life. The
South is supposed to raise several
regiments of volunteer colored troops,
who would be fitted for the climate of
Cuba. The use of the troops will be
Governed by the developments in con-
nection with the blockade. The srmy
will be put toto such shape as to util.
izs its entire strength in an emergency.
Volunteer troops will receive their pay
from the date of enlistment at the rate
of S13 per month.
The entire army of $4,000 men will
b, sent to camp Immediately at points
n ear the home headquarters of the di:-
ferent State organizations. At these
camps there will be inspection, thor
ough organic cation. equipment and
finally practice. The troops are ex-
pected to be in shape after three weeks,
perhaps, of this strict routine OF army
life.
At the end OF the initial period the
army will be transported to the points
of concentration in the South-Chicka-
manga, Tampa, Mobile and New Or
leans and joined to the regular army.
"The army will then be divided, first
into brigades, then divisions, then army
corps. The lesser officers will remain
az they have been appointed already
bv the governors in almost all cases.
The higher officers will be appointed
after the divisions of the army have
been made. 1t has been decided prac-
tically that the governors of the States
will be required to furnish their own
defense from the State militia after the
first call Of the President has been filled.
A cablegram from Havana states that
the United States feet, under Admiral
Sampson, will begin the bombardment
of Havana to-day. Admiral Sampson,
it is stated, has sent notice of his inten.
ton to Mr.. Gollar, the British consul
in Havana, who is in charge of the
American consulate there. Troops are
being hurried 20 the defenses.
1t is reported that Havsna's guns
opened fire on the United States feet
late Friday night, and that ten shots
were fired, but none OF them did any
damage.
The monitor Puritan, the cruiser Gin
cinnati, the guuboats Machias, Nash
Vile, Castine and Newport and the tor
pedo boats Foote and Winslow have left
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron to block
AIDE Matanzas, Mariel and Cardenas.
The bsttleshlps Iowa and Indiana, the
cruiser New York, the monitor Terror
and other ships are left near the Cuban
capital.
The cruisers Minneapolis and Colum-
bia have been suddenly sent TO sea
from Fort Monroe. Their mission is
said to be to watch the Spanish fleet
now at Cape Verde and to prey upon
Spanish commerce.
Martial law has been proclaimed in
Porto Rico. The Americans on the
island are without protection and are
in danger. The authorities prohibit
the departure of refugees.
The British government will probar
bly, issue a neutrality proclamation,
warning British subjects against aiding
the bell gerents in any way. Spanish
and American warships will not be al.
lowed the use of British harbors for
warlike purposes. Armed warships
Will be prohibited from carrying prizes
into British ports, including the colo
MES.
The Havana cable to Key West has
been cut by the United States authori-
ties. This compels the sending of dis
patches in a roundabout way. Be-
sides, the government has established a
rigid censorship of kilograms at Key
West, and has issued orders to prevent
newspaper boats from following the
fleet.
Dispatches from Key West state that
up to date the fact of Capt. Sampson
has captured FIVE Spanish vessels. They
are the steamships Catalina, Miguel
Jover, Pedro and Buena Ventura and
the Havana schooner Mathilde.
1t is reported in Washington that a
further call of 175, 900 volunteers is be-
ing considered by the President. 1t
will probably be made IN lew days,
thus increasing the volunteer army to
100000 men.
1t is reported that the United States
government has served notice on the
Portuguese government, to which the
Cape Verde Islsnds belong, to either
send the Spcc!nith warships away from
st. Vincent forth .~ith or keep them
there during the war, as required Dy In
ternational law.
Great Britain mas made declaration of neu-
trality between the U. s. and Spain and has
notified the commanders Of .. D. war vessels
in English ports to leave within'24 hours
Is is still said in Europe that Austris,
France and Italy may intervene between the
U. S. and Spain soon after the first collision
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