The Washington times., 1906-09-30
Delayed M eSsage Re-
ceiyed at the War De-
partment Late Last
Night.
TROOPS NOTIFIED
TO GET UNDER WAY
Hurry Messages Dispatched
to Commanders of Regi-
ments Selected for Gu
ban Expedition.

At 10:45 o'clock last night Acting
Secretary of War Oliver received a
message from President Roosevelt
ordering out the regular army for
the Cuban campaign.
The War Department mmediate-
", and this time without the pos
sibihty of a recall, wired the re-
spectiye commanders that they
should without delay start their
troops for Newport News.
The message from Secretary Taft
10 carry out the plans already pre-
pared for armed intervention was
received half an hour before noon
yesterday. Secretary Taft's mes
sage to Assistant Secretary of War
Oliver was brief but 10 the point. 1t
called for immediate" action.
President Beyond Reach.
An effort was made to get IN oem-
muuication with TIE President who was
inspecting The feet target practice or
ProvincetoWn Mass. but he was be-
yond reach. There was no tine for de-
lay. the department fell and before
The time t.2 on fhe drpe TRENT build
tng fun - marx - tte cyaarl- tlar
the official hoUr OF noon had arrived
previously prepared messages were Civ
en- to the war operators and instantly
dispatched.
They ordered commanders In over n
half dozen States TO prepa -e to move
their forces 10 Newport News without
delay.
Message Came at Last.
The word from the President came
after many hours of nerve-rscIlilg walt
Ing on the part OF the high officials OF
the department. Tirst the request from
Secretary Taft. then the order % set
the troops in motion. then the rushing
Of the messages Of modification after
the thought that the sending Of chs army
f1t OF the United States should be ex-
pHcitly indorsed by the President, gave
the War Department officials the frs.
severe chill OF the Cuban campai ign--hen
the long wait.
Men who have faced death at the can
mons mouth without tremor and have
never been known 70 faIter since their
first case OF hazing at West Point dis
covered, much to their chagrin. that
they had nerves
Wireless System Failed.
The failure OF the wireless system for
some unexplainable reason was the
cause Of the trouble Il was While he
was en- route 10 Oyster Bay that he was
informed OF the predicament and has
tened TO AFFORD relief The department .
would not make public the text Of the
message. II coHtented itself with the
public announcement that the President .
had indOrsed the action Of the depart
ment and that he had ordered that that .
portion OF the troops being held in readi-
ness should be hurried 10 the rendezvous
without moments delay.
TOmorrow's sun viii see the majority,
If not all Of the five thousand regulars
selected to constitute the first expedi-
ton IL fun swing for Newport News.
Rations for Thirty Days.
The dispatches sent out by BrIgadier
General Sharp. chief Of the commissary
department Of the army, order the pur-
chase OF supplies for $500 men for thirty
days. This means the buying Of III, 600
rations, each ration consisting Of bread.
meat, and vegetables enough for one
soldier for one day. They viii probably /
be there awaiting the troops. Addi-
-iOnaI arrangements are being made 20 /
follow up this first purchase with sup
plies for two months. After that those
n charge in Cuba will look after tbs
problem OF feeding the troops.
Instructions have also been sent TO
Kansas City for the immediate snip
nent 10 Newport News of 5.00J emerg-
.ncy rations. which consist Of an iron
an containing enough condensed foods
or three meals. and which weighs a
Otal of only twenty ounces.
Capt J. r. heester now stationed at
Washington Barracks. has been ordered
O Newport News tG take charge Of the
upnlies as they are received and 10
OOk after their shipment.
Orders have been sent 10 the arsenals
[ Frankfort Rock Island, and SPRING I
.eld 10 rush arms and ammunition 10 I
Newport News to supply the first ex-
edition. These can be filed immedi- I
tclv because over week ago warnings /
we're sent out 10 the arsenals 10 be pre-
AIRED 60 ship az a moments notice large
Quantities OF this kind OF supplies. Cant. I
n II Tschappat has been placed in I
harge OF the ordnance depot OF the first (
xpedition and viii go TO Newport News I
D superintend the shipments from there