Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-09
artillery. and naturally is spending the
money.
Collect Data on Ships.

Both army and navy 0fhcers nave oeeh
collecting information from shipoWners
regarding the merchant ships that might
be requisitioned for use as transports
for the army or navy auxiliar1es- Inc
present unsatisfactory method OF avail
ing Of these maritime resources prob
ably will lead to an appeal to Congress
in the near future for authority To
commander privately owned vessels upon
terms to be adjusted by Impartial
boards of condemnation, which is said
to be the only way to prevent ship
owners from taking advantage of stimuli
taneous need of the army and navy for
ships. 1t is explained that these in
quiries are quite normal. and part of
the established plan of the general staff
of the army and the general board of
the navy. who have at all times ac-
cessible for instant use information re-
gardinE the number and kind of ships
available for government use.
State inspection officers throughout the
country are consulting with the adju-
tants general Of the militia and National
Guard organizations to learn the exact
condition of the various commands and
the probable number of militiamen avail
able for service under the United States
government. Also steps are being taken
to see that the militia is equipped with
all of the supplies needed for field serv-
ice, even including ambulances and other
wheel transportation. That is explained
as part of the regular routine of main
tanning the militia at the highest possible
point of efficiency. and also with pur-
pose of securing information upon which
to base legislation for the Improvement
of the militia at the next regular session
Of Congress.
Supplies Sent to Fleet.
Quantities of supplies are being sent
to the American fleet now in Mexican
waters; the scout cruiser Chester start
ed Friday from Philadelphia with a
quantity of ammunition. and yesterday
it was announced at the Navy Depart
ment that the supply ship Culgoa, now at
Norfolk. had been ordered to New York
to take aboard fresh meats and other
fresh provisions for the fleet at Vera
Cruz and Tampico. 1t wa sexplained that
that action was in line with the Navy
Department policy. as far as possible, OF
stocking the vessels Independently OF
supplies from shore. To sustain that
explanation it was pointed out that the
fleet now in Mediterranean waters IS
accompanied by the supply ship Celtic
for the same purpose.
1t appears that the second division OF
the Atlantic fleet had allowed its store
of provisions to run very low. expecting
to leave Mexican waters earlier in the
week to come home upon the arrival OF
the third division The order from Secre-
tary Daniels OBTAINING the second division
indefinitely in Mexican waters conse-
quently has made it necessary to rush
fresh food supplies down to the ships:
hence the Culgoas errand
Admiral Fletcher in a dispatch to the
Navy Department yesterday explained
that his flagship. the Rhode Island. had
moved into the inner harbor of Vera
Cruz nearer the shore, for the purpose
of facilitating communication between the
shore and the other five battleships which
lie farther out at sea opposite Vera Cruz.
Perez Romero Leaves for Sonora.
Perez Romero, confidential agent in
Washington of the Mexican constitution
alists. left here last night for Sonora in
response to a summons from Gen. Car
rama, the constitutionalist leader. he
was accompanied by Capt. Julio Madero.
a brother Of the late president of Next
co, who came from New York enroute to
Hermostllo. Capt. Madero is member
Of Carranza's staff.