Columbia, according to population, and to serve for two years
unless sooner discharged. The details for this object will be
immediately communicated to the proper authorities through the war
department.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at Washington this 23d day of April, 1898, and of the
independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-
second.

By the President: WILLIAM McKINLEY.

JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary of State.

STATES BEGIN TO COLLECT THEIR TROOPS.

Although it was decided that formal notification to the Governors
of the states of the call for volunteers should not be made until
the following Monday, the first step was taken immediately after
the signing of the proclamation, by the issuance of orders to the
organized militia of the District of Columbia. Before dinner time
the drums were beating and the roll was being called within sight
and sound of the White House, and before night the drum beats were
heard from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Gulf of Mexico
to the Great Lakes.

There was no interruption in the sequence of captures by the
American fleet around Havana, and two prizes of considerable value