The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-23
Prepare for Emergency.

Washington, September 22.-Vigorous
work Is in progress in preparation for any
possible eVentuation of the Cuban trouble.
There is greater activity In both the
army and the navy than at any time since
the war with Spain. Careful and systemat-
ic arrangements are being made In evrey
branch of the military service for active
work In the field. A formidable feet of
American warships already is in Cuban
waters and the army only awaits signal
from President Roosevelt to move In force
to Cuba.
Detailed plans for an invasion of Cuba
have been worked out by the general
staff of the army. When General Fred
erick Funston left Washington this morn
ing for Havana he knew precisely what
troops would be ordered to Cuba in the
event Of a decision by the President for
armed Intervention; how those troops
would be mobillzed from what ports in
this country they would embark for the
island; and what means the government
had secured for the transportation of the
invading force.
Troops Already Selected.
1t was admitted at the war department
today that the troops for service in Cuba
already had been selected and that they
were being prepared for the campaign No
intimation of either the number or To-
cation of the troops however, is obtain
able. In view of well informed officers,
1t IS believed that the force detailed for
the Cuban service numbers at least 5000
men and that it will consist of infantry,
cavalry and light artillery. 1t Is ex-
pected that the troops, II ordered to Cuba,
will be modified at Norfolk and New
port News and a part of them possibly
at Port Tampa, Fla.
While the war department has not at
coast a sufficient number of transports
to carry an expeditionary force of 5000
men, it has arranged to use for the pres
ent troops nearly a score of harbor boa,s
each of which is able to carry about
800 men and their equipments and sup
plies.
The great supply bureaus of the war
department-the quartermasters. commits
sary and medical-are prepared to take
care Of the army and all of them now
are engaged in working out the details
of an expedition. Horses and mules arc
being purchased in the west. medical and
subsistence supplies are being bought in
large quantities at some OF the eastern
depots and antieipatory arr ehgemants for
the railroad transportation Of troops arc
being concluded.
Special Maps Prepared.
The general staff, aside from determine
ing the number and character of troops to
be employed in Cuba is not idle Maps of
special kind already have been printed
which cover the latest obtainable informa-
ton for the topography of the island and
plans have been worked out for the force
after 1t is landed in Cuba.
1t is regarded as significant too that
some of the troops engaged in operations
at the various practice camps have been
hurried back to their stations by train and
not marched back, as originally was in
tended Information was received today
that next week at Fort Riley, Kan, the
Second squadron of the Second cavalry
the First squadron of the Thirteenth cav
airy and the Seventh and Twentieth bat
talions of field artillery would start on the
work of overland marches of about $50
miles. These are just the sort of troops
which would be utilized in the Cuban
campaign. 1t is thought they may be hur-
ried east at the time of their practice
marches in the event of a decision to in
wade Cuba.
All of the questions in fact. as to how
and where and what have boen answered.
so far as the war department Is concern
ed and the same may be said of the
navy and marine corps Every branch Of
the war establishment is in state of
readiness for instant aetivi- y. Officials of
all the departments now are awaiting an
answer to the question, when" That