The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-07

Reproducing as nearly as possible
war conditions involving hostilities il
advance oe formal declaration of
war, the president gave the word last
| night and within a few moments mes
I sages we're flying over the country by
wire ordering tie assemblage of 10000
troops in the department of Texas.
This practically is one-fourth of the
entire army of the United States, in
| Guiding those troops in the Philippines
\ and other insular possessions. The
| navy is to play its part and a formid-
| able fleet of armored cruisers, supple
mented b. auxiharies necessary Tor
! The successful maintenance OF hostile
naval force on the coast of an enemy
will take its place off the Texas shore
| line.
These cruisers comprise the fifth di-
vision of the Atlantic fleet now at
Hampton Roads and which are ready
| for sea.
The division comprises the flagship
| Tennessee Montana, North Carolina
and Washington, all powerful armored
cruisers of 1880 tons displacement'
under command of Rear Admiral sgd
ney A. Staunton.
HEADQUARTERS at San Antonio.
! The military force will establish its
headquarters at San Antonio under
command of Major General William
H. Carter. assistant CHER OF stan as
sistant by several brigad1er generais
which the grand divisions Will be ol-
vided.
These brigades will be placed at
strategic points through the depart
ment of Texas. including not only the
Mexican border towns to which partlc-
ular attention will be given. but also
Galveston and other seaports.
The orders so far issued contem-
plate the assignment to General car
ter's command of Is regiments of in
90 7kr Ave Of
of f1elc artillery. In addition two full
regiments of coast artillery VIII pc
transformed into infantry which Will De
a novel departure in military practlce-
It is the intention to have this entire
force assembled in Texas within live
days.
AS a mater of fact, the great body
of troops has already begun to move,
two cavalry regiments having started
last night from Forts Oglethorpe ana
Mcpherson, Georgia, which is regarded
as a fine accomplishment from the point
of preparedness. Major General WOOD,
chief of staff, would himself have been
placed in command of the troops which
are to engage in the maneuvers but
for the fact that it is regarded by the
general staff as necessary for the sue
cessful execution of the war plans that
he retain his position at Washington.
Here he can have a complete survey
of the field and be ready to communi-
cate instantly with every one of the
army departments which goes to main
tain the army in the field. 1t can not
be foretold how long this large force
will be kept in Texas but it is evil
dent that it may be there for many
weeks at the least.
Orders at Fort Smelling.
ST. Paul, March 7.-Orders were re-
ceived at army headquarters this
morning to move the troops at Fort
Smelling to the Mexican border.
Three troops of the Fourth cavalry
and twelve companies of the Twenty
eighth infantry are stationed at Fort
Smelling.
OniciaI Statement.
Washington, March Following
the cabinet meeting today state
ment was issued declaring that the
movement of troops to Texas and to
the border of Mexico in California is
solely for the purpose of maneuvers
and for the training of officers and
men.
Under Waiting Orders.
San Francisco, March Under
telegraphic orders from Washington
q provisional regiment of II COM
panies of coast artillery to be known
as the fourth provisional regiment, Is
today being assembled at the Preside
80 be held under waiting orders Tor
probable service on the Texas border
The regiment is to be composed of
the following companies of coast artll-
lery: Tenth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty
seventh. Twenty ninth, Thirty econd,
Thirty-eighth, Sixty-first, Sixty-fifth,
xty-seventh, Sixty-eighth. Seventeen
and One Hundred and Fifty-eignth.
The orders from washington are that
the companies shall be filled to their
maximum strength. The field and
staff officers are to be designated from
Washington.
The Thirtieth infantry will entrain
Eighth infantry from Monterey also is
oxnactnd to start south before night.