Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-20
FUNSTON W|LL.LEAvE
FOR CUBA SATURDAY
Expects to Report to Taft Next
Tuesday.
REACHED THE CITY TODAY
Unlikely That He Will Command
Forces on the Island.
ORDERS TO BARRY AND DUVALL
Directed to Expedite Their Departure
for Home From Germany-The
Prairie to Relieve the Dixie.
'EACHED THE CITY TODAY
Unlikely That He Will Command
Forces on the Island.
ORDERS TO BARRY AND DUVALL


Brig Gen. Frederick Funston, accom-
panied by his aid de camp. First Lieut..
B. ]. Mitchell, 10Th Infantry. arrived in
this city this morning about 1O:45 o'clock,
and proceeded at once to the War Depart
ment. where Gen. Funston reported per-
sOnally to Gen. Bell chief of staff, and
was by him presented to Acting Secretary
Oliver. Gen. Funston Is the regular COM
mander of the Department of California at
San Francisco, but for several weeks past
he has been in command of the maneuver
camp at American Lake. Wash. When
Secretary Taft was selected by the Presi-
dent as one of the Cuban peace commits
sioners, he ordered a telegram sent to
Gen. Funston at American Lake, directing
him to come to Washington at once and re-
port to him.
1t was physical impossibility for Gen.
Funston to reach Washington before the
departure of Secretary Taft last Sunday
afternoon. and the Secretary left word with
Gen. Bell to have Gen. Funston allow him
to Havana Gen. Bell delivered these
instructions to Gen. Funston at the War
Department today. and the latter said he
would start for the Cuban caoital soon
as possible. 1t was found, however, that 1t
would be impossible for Gen. Funston to
connect with steamer from Tampa before
next Monday, or reach Havana before
Tuesday next. AS that necessarily delayed
the immediate progress of Gen. Funston
and his aid he decided to spend the inter-
vening time in this city in order to take q
little rest after his long and continuous
journey from the state of Washington. He
and his aid came direct from American
Lake. and have spent the last six days on
the railroad cars.
Will Leave Here Saturday.
taken quarters at the New Willard, and
will remain there until Saturday morning.
when they will resume their Journey to Ha-
vana by way of Tampa. AS already stated,
Gen. Funston expects to report personally
to Secretary Taft in the Cuban capital next
Tuesday morning. AS is we'll known. Gen.
Funston served in the field with the Cuban
insurgents in the last rebellion against the
Spanish government and is personally ac-
quainted with most of the leaders of both
political factions in Cuba. In ordering him
to Havana Secretary Taft desired to have
the benefit of Gen. Funston's knowledge
and influence with the Cuban people in
bringing about peace and good government.
1t Is said at the War Department that
future developments alone will determine
whether Gen. Funston any other officers
of the army will have any military duties
to perform in Cuba. 1t is added that if it
is found necessary to send an army there it
will be for the President alone to determine
who shall have command Of 1t. In such an
event 1t is probable that an officer of higher
rank than brigadier general would be Sc
lected for that Important duty either Mai.
Gen. Grant or Maj. Gen. Wood.
Barry and Duvall to Return Soon.
The critical situation in Cuba has re-
suited in an order to Brig. Gems. Thomas H
Barry and William P. Duvall, now in Ber-
lin inspecting the German army, to expe-
dite their return to the United States
These officers had notified the War De-
partment that they intended to sail for
home on the 18th instant. Owing to the
condition of affairs in Cuba. however, Gen.
Bell, chief of staff. deemed it advisable to
suggest that they sail on an earlier steamer
if possible.
1t is stated at the War Department that
although the orders to these officers are
primarily due to the conditions in Cuba it
by no means follows that they are destined
to duty in that country. Gen. Barry is the
assistant chief Of staff, and Gen. Bell nat
uray desires his presence in Washington
soon as possible in order to help him in
whatever military preparations may be
called for by events. Therefore he is more
likely to remain in this city than he Is to
go to Cuba. AS to Gen. Duvall, he is in
command of the Department of the Gulf,
with headquarters at Atlanta. Ga. That
department embraces the states of North
and South Carolina, Tennessee. Georgia,
Florida, Alabama. Louisiana and Missis-
sippi. In case of trouble with Cuba the
troops at posts in those states would be
first called upon to proceed to the scene Of
action as being the most available. AS
Gen Duvall is in command of those troops
it was deemed advisable by Gen. Bell to
have him resume his regular duties at At
lanta as soon possible. His return to
his station would not mean. however, that
he might not accompany troops sent to
the island republic.
The Prairie May Go to Cuba.
Orders have been sent to the commandment
of the navy yard. Boston. to place in COM
mission at once the big auxiliary cruiser
Prairie having a displacement of 6.G20 tons
and a speed of nearly fifteen knots and a
main battery of twelve four-nch guns and
twelve guns of smaller caliber. Although
not officially admitted 1t is generally be-
lieyed that the Prairie will be sent to
Cienfuegos, Cuba, to relieve the auxiliary
cruiser Dixie which is to return to her reg
ular station in Santo Domingo. The Prairie
will probably be utilized in sending adj
ditional battalion of marines to Cuba In
case reinforcements of that character are
deemed necessary.
Will Report to President.
1t is said at the State Department to be
unlikely that either Secretary Taft or Mr..
Bacon will communicate directly with the
department on matters relating to their
mission in Cuba. Whatever they may have
to communicate will be sent direct to Presi-
dent Roosevelt as they constitute special
presidential mission. which Is quite indie
pendent of either the Department of State
or the War Department.
pEcoMMENDATIO APPROVED.