The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-28
ARMY OFFICERS CONFER.
General star Goes Over the Plans for
Sending Army to Cuba.

~eAAh FNhhty W SBbes
WARRINGTON, Sept. 27.-At a meeting Of
the General STAFF Of the army to-day at the
Wal College, Brig Gen. Bell, Chief Of STAFF,
explained in detail to the officers attending
the plans which have been prepared for
sending an army into Cuba whenever the
President gives the word. Gen. Bell called
the meeting because he wished to have the
officers OF the General Stan know what had
already been done, what the War DEPART
ment plans to do and to receive from his
officers any suggestions they might have to
make. The meeting was fruitful and a num-
Der Of points were brought out in the dis
cussion which might rave been overlooked.
The army is completely prepared now for
any development. II the negotiations In
Havan fail tomorrow and immediate inter-
vention Ii deemed necessary, troops will be
moving within a day or two thereafter.
Plans have been made for sending four
expeditions to the island. Each will be Of
about s 900 men. II has not been announced
who the commanding officers will be or
just which regiments will 20 in each ex-
petition. Officers who rave been on leave
OF absence are returning TO the Department
hastily. One, a Captain, came In from the
West to-day in uniform, having hurried
here 40 fast that his civilian clothes, which
he did not nave time to put on, were lost
somewhere on the way.
The first expedition will leave, according
to present plans, from Newport News.
While there is no Official announcement
concerning the personnel Of this expedition,
It will doubtless be composed Of troops
along the Atlantic coast. When these are.
started q general movement eastward
from posts inland will begin until at least
5000 men rave been embarked for the
scene Of trouble.
No dispatches came from Oyster Bay
TO the War Department to-day and the
only one from Secretary Taft at Havana
contained an order that Col EnOch H.
Crowder OF the Judge Advocate Generals
Department proceed to Havana with
certain documents and law books TO assist
Mr.. Taft. Col. Crowder will leave Wash
ington soon. just what Secretary Taft
had in mind in sending for Col. Crowder.
who is an expert on Cuban affairs. having
seen much service there during the military
occupancy Of the island, has not been
divulged.
A despatch was received at the Navy
Department to-day from Capt. James T.
Smith OF the cruiser Cleveland, command
ing the naval forces at C~enfuegos, asking
for more marines. At this time the Navy
Department IL unable to comply with the
request. there being no available marines
TO send around to Capt Smith. The De-
partment to-day did not seem TO think
thai the call for help was especially signih-
cant. and there has been nothing TO show
that the situation has become any more
serious at G~enfuegos.
According to officials OF the Wal Depart
ment the matter Of transportation OF troops
from the Atlantic coast to Cuba will not
prove troublesome. A list OF dozens OF
merchant ships flying the American flag
and having American register, which under
the law may be impressed into Government
service. has been prepared by the Depart
ment, and il the situation makes II ALSO
lutely necessary some Of these vessels will
be taken over by the Government and used
for the transportation OF troops. However,
the War Department will not use thism method
IL il Is possible to charter steamers from
other sources, n In any event, II any YES
sells are impressed no one company will
suffer much.
Il does not seem at all likely, however,
that the right to requisition vessels in this
manner will be invoked, as the War Depart
ment has already had offers from ship
owners OF nearly enough vessels to fulfil
all needs. 1t also has the transport Sumner
and the ships Of the Panama Railroad ON
pany and will get any assistance the navy
may be able to render