The Washington times., 1906-09-26

President Roosevelt has directed
the army OF the United States to be
in readiness for active service in
the island of Cuba TeIegraphie
orders We're received by the depart
ment this morning from Oyster Bay
TO have an expediuonary force ready
for embarkation for Cuba without
loss OF time.
Figurativelv the United States
army is now sleeping on its arms
ready for active service IN Cuba
against the people nf that island
who have defed the authority OF
this country by refusing TO live in
peace and accord and made armed
Intervention necessary.
Lack Of Transports.
1t viii take seven days from the
time actual orders are received by
the War Department 10 send an
army TO Cuba before the troops,
who are now in readiness for active
duty, can be embarked from this
country for the soil of Cuba. This
delay. which is causing the officials
of the War Department much con
cern, is entirely due TO lack of ade-
quate transportation facilities. BY
order Of the President the transport
Sumner in New York harbor. which
is the only Government transport
now on the Atlantic coast. was to-
day put in commission. This ship is
of carrying only about ! 800
men. Acting Quartermaster General
Pond today furnished the chief Of
staff with a Est showing what com
mercial liners on this coast could
be chartered by the Government
and when they could be obtained.
Depend on Navy Now.
This list conclusively shows that
even should the President today
direct the actual transportation OF
an army TO Cuba it would be seven
days before transports could be
hired and the men embarked. In the
meanwhile the President is looking
to the navy 10 do the work in Cuba.
The positive statement was made oy
at the War Department this
morning that armed intervention in
Cuba would mean that every soldier
Of the regular army now stationed IN
the United States would have 20 DO
used In other words. the War De-
Dartment is proposing 10 send an army
OF not less than 10000 men To Cuba
All Of the infantry in this country. all
IF the field artillery, all OF the cavalry.
and all Of the coast artillery troops 20
be used as infantry would, in the
opinion Of the general STAFF, be neces-
sary to subdue the Cubans and bring
them back to a rightful way OF living
In peace and harmony with one an
1ther. The infantry would be used as
mounted troops.
Funston Not Supreme.
Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston viii
lOt. as has been generally understood.
pc in supreme command OF the army
# occupation IN Cuba. He viii be one
IF the general officers sent there, but
IN officer Of higher rank-a major gem
nand Besides General Funston, the
,rigadier generals win be General
Thomas II Barry and ". z. DUvsn-
Probably Mai. Gen. Frederick D.
3rant. now in command Of the Depart
nent OF the East. would be put in SUI
,reme command.
Orders were prepared by the War De
lartment last night covering all pOssi-
lie details for the movement Of troops.
Special arrangements were mads this
norninl with the telegraph companies
or the quick handling OF messages 10
he various organizations selected for
'uban service. As soon as President
roosevelt gives the word the orders
viii be flashed to commanding oTFicers,
nd soldiers will be en- route to the
hosen points Of embarkation, fully
quipped for prolonged service IN the
sland-
Awaiting the Signal
What is known in military pariance
s. precautionary orders" were sent
uc some days ago for the troops TO be
repaired for instant departure Under
hose orders al leaves 0f efneers an6a