Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-12

preparatory orders issued this morning
are followed by others setting the troops
in motion. Within twenty-four hours
after that order it is expected that the
most distant organization comprised with
I'm the brigade will have arrived at New
port News. as the commanding officers of
the various attachments and regiments
have by this time communicated with the
officers of the railroads to insure suffi-
/ cient supply OF coaches and baggage cars
for the immediate entrainment of the
troops.
Maj. Gen. Aleshire. chief of the Quar-
termaster Corps, today followed up the
orders issued by him during the night to
the captains OF the army transports at
Newport News to go into commission. by
directing the Immediate collection of the
necessary food supplies. wagon transpor-
tation and other paraphernalia needed for
troops on foreign service. The transports
are the Meade. Mcclellan, Sumner and
Fitzpatrick. The Mcclellan is the small
est. with capacity for $50 troops. The
three others are able to carry about 500
men each. The four easily can accom-
mOdate the entire 1st Brigade of the first
division. constituting the advance guard
of the entire theoretical expeditionary
force Of 1900 men allotted for foreign
service in an emergency.
Galveston Port of Departure.
Galveston, Tex, is to be the port of de-
parture Of the artillery forces. and some
cavalry in the event that it is necessary
to reinforce the 1st Brigade. The
original intention was to employ the four
army transports above named for that
purpose. after they had discharged the
1st Brigade on foreign shores. But that
will be dont only In case 1t is found i'm
possible to obtain the necessary merchant
marine ships to carry the artillery and
cavalry. BY orders from the general
staff sent out this morning the senior
military officer near Galveston began i'm
mediately to get in touch with merchant
ship owners to see what could be got In
the way Of transportation in short notice.
All of these precautionary measures
were taken by the War Department I'M
der the spur of necessity, and with some
reluctance. In the first place the senior
officers of the general staff are still
optimistic as to the situation In Mexico.
and In the second place the state of the
army transportation funds is such as to
require severe economy to avoid heavy
deficiencies The cost of putting the four
transports at Newport News into com
mission is ST., 600 day. which Is only
one item in a large general expenditure
required.
Naval Orders Are Changed.
Some changes in the original orders to
the commanders Of the naval vessels
which are or. their way to the gulf coast
were ordered during the forenoon by
Secretary Meyer after a conference with
his naval aids. Rear Admiral Fletcher,
commanding the second division of the
Atlantic fleet. with his flagship, the Yer
mont was ordered to proceed from Guam
tanamo directly to Vera Cruz, taxing with
him the battleship Nebraska The Geor-
T0h
has preceded him to that port. so that
Admiral Fletcher will have three battle
ships under his orders when he arrives.
Rear Admiral Usher, commanding the
third division Of the Atlanuc meet on tne
battle.hin Virginia. was caught by wire
less orders from Guantanamo. on his way
to Vera Cruz from that port. and diverted
to Tampico. That change was mace by
Secretary Never because Admiral Fletch-
er was recently at Vera Cruz with some
Of his ships, and is acquainted with the
local Mexican officials at Vera Cruz, ana
with the existing political conditions
there. The result is that there Will De
two admirals in command Of the navai
force on the gulf coast of Mexico. Adj
miral Usher is the senior Omcer
On the Pacific side. the Colorado and
South Dakota are already under orders
for Mexican ports and otnef siips i'i"S
follow them at any moment
Unless there should be fresh demonstra-
tions in Mexico outside the capital, Which
appear to threaten foreign interests-for
the American naval commanders are eX-
pected to look after European ana Asiat-
les as we'll as Americans-the rorce now
under way probably Will be regarded sui
ficient to meet present needs.
Can Only Protect Foreigners.
AS was pointed out in the White House
statement last night, there is. after all.
nothing the naval force can do at this
uncture except afford refuge to foreign
ers and maintain order in the coast
towns. where n-combatants may safely
Gather should the new revolution spread
While preparatory orders have been is
sued TO army officers In charge OF mill
tary organizations, which call Tor the
revolutionary force"-a flying wedge to
ofyert an entrance to any country with
which the United States might become in
voived in hostilities-the effect OF these
orders will be. not to start the troops In
Movement. but to put them sleeping on
their arms for the signal to take train
or ship for the south.
Foreigners May Seek Vera Cruz.
| Although Ambassador Wilson was
Joined yesterday by the entire diplomatic
hodv in the City Of Mexico in his protest
against the conduct of hostilities in the
streets. It is said here that the only i'm
mediate step that can be taken In the in
terest of safety Of tho foreign element