The Washington times., 1906-10-06
Troops Being Embarked
at Newport News to Be
Rushed South With
All Possible Speed.
MACON AND BELL
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Conference With President
Previous to Their Depart
ure for Havana This
Afternoon.

II is officially denied at the White
House tnlt any orders have been issued,
or that any are contemplated, holding
the Cuban expedition at Norfolk The
statement Is made that the troops VIII
proceed 20 the island as rapidly as
transportation can be obtained. Presi-
dent Roosevelt had a final conference at
noon today with General Bell and Gov
ernor Magoon. who leave for Cuba this
afternoon.
Il is understood that the conditions
in Cuba and the policy 10 be pursued
by this Government. both on the part
Of the army and the provisional govern
ment. were thoroughly gone into.
Governor Magoon and General Bell
leave this afternoon at 3:45 o'clock for
Tampa, where they VIII embark for
Tampa. They Will be accompanied on
the trip by Mrs. Taft and Mrs Bacon.
General Bell will be accompanled by
his personal aide, Capt ". W. Wright
ACTIVITY at Newport News.
Preparations are being rushed in the
army for the embarkatiOn Of the second
shipment OK troops for Cuba from New
port News tonight The troops are
rapidly arriving. and by night Il is ex-
pected all those ordered 10 that point
Tor embarkation viii have arrived.
Whether the start viii be made to-
night cr Sunday depends upon the time
of arrival of the troops ON Western
points and the ability OF che Quarter
master Generals Department 10 procure
sufac,eGe g.; sports for conveying tne
Word was received at the War De-
partmeut this morning from General
Greel,i at 81. Louis, commanding the
NOrtE -rn Division, stating that TIE
hcadC uarters band OF the First and Sec
ond BaJtalions of the Eleventh Infan-
try. with - officers and 5lf enlisted men,
with Major KleffeT. surgeon, and LOO
hospital corps attached. left Fort ID. 4.
Russell az an early hour yesterday
morning.
Word was received by the Quarter
master Generals Department this morn
ing from Newport News tnat part Of
the Fifteenth Cavalry and a part OF
the TWenty-seventh Infantry have ar
rived there and are rapidly being put
IN readiness for embarkatiOu. No word
had been received up 10 this afternoon
concerning the Seventeenth Infantry.
which was expected 10 reach Newport
News last night from Fort Mcpherson.
Exact Mission Not Known.
There is stm considerable speculation
in Government circles as TO the exact
mission Of General Bell in Cuba. All
that appears on the surface. so far. Is
simply that General Bell has been or
dered 10 Cuba 10 report 10 Secretary
Taft General Funston will be in COM
mand of the American forces on tho
island. and 10 is presumed that the Sc
YetaTy Of War desires his presence there
for consultation and advisory purposes.
Although Secretary Taft will relin-
quish his duties Is provisional governor
Immediately upon the arrival Of Cover
nor Magoon. the departure OF Mrs Taft
and Mrs Bacon for Cuba is accepted by
some 10 mean that the War Secretary
and Assistant Secretary OF State CO d
template remaining in Havana for some
time yet In any event, 10 Is not thought
that they viii leave Cuba before OctO-
her Il. and IL they should find any check
In their progress Of Unraveling the sic
UHgIOn there they would. no doubt. re-
main throughout the month OF October.