The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-02

WASHINGTON, June L-For the first
time since the beginning OF hostilities
there appears to be something N the
nature OF an official statement OF the
plan OF campaign OF the United Staess
Government. Ii is contained In a letter
OF Secretary AIger to the Speaker OF
the House. transmitting certain recon-
mendations and statements OF GeheiaI
Ludlow. which disclosed the purpose OF
the War Department 10 send 10000 men
to Cuba, 2OOoo to start 1t once, and the
remainder just as soon as thoy can
be made ready for departure
LAND AT PORTO RICO.
Then there was an estimate for cstaDs
fishing electrical communication III
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Phiipp'nes'
showing for the first time ofuciaiiy an
implied intention on the part OF the Gov
ernment to land troops In Porto RICO
NJ course ALI these movements have
been anticipated by the press, but, nev'
ertheless. a strong element OF doubt ex'
isted. and. therefore, the official state
ment of the Governments purpose maze
even in this indirect fashion, created
profound sensation here.
The three are TO go togethere, CUBA
Porto Rico and the Philippines, ana per-
haps into the military occupation OF mo
United States troops
Tnasnauch as the Secretary says thai
the second contingent Of troops is to go
forward as soon as they can be prepared.
a good deal OF interest attaches TO an
order that was made to-day AZ the war
DEPARTMENT providing for the organiza-
ton of the 1900 additional volunteers
called for. The order officially establisn-
ed the statement heretofore made IN these
dispatches that a large proportion or the
new men are to be used TO I'LL up the
existing regiments OF volunteers wnicn
are In most cases deficient In NUMBER
IL is TO be presumed from to-days OK
der that the volunteer regiments called
under the first call will be detained unsi
they are filed up in rh1s fashion so tnat
the order has some bearing upon the plan
OF campaign.
The War Department received as
patch to-day from General BROOKE IN
command OF the forces at Chickamausa
setting at rest the reports as 10 inaae
nuate food and water supply there. Nhet'
these reports were circulated recently
Secretary Algsr telegraphed an inquiry 10
FOOD AND WATER.
.arbere IL no reason whatever for COM
nlaint as to the quality and kind or
food furnished the troops In this camp
some regulars arrived here with food
rations only bat defects OF this kind are
quickly remedied and the vegetables corr-
moment Immediately provided The wnter
question IS being solved as 70 quentfty
and II has always been good as 70
quality"
The naval officials have been consider
ably nvstified throughout ths day by the
reports OF an engagement on SauuaA3-
At the outset there was complete scep-
tipism aud a disposition 70 treat tnf
reported action as q myth Graduaiiy
as the day advanced the corrooorasfss
evidence coming from many quarters IN
Guiding the official announcements from
Havana and Madrid led the oficiais 70
concede that some engagement had taken
place although they did not regard u -
a serious one. No bulletins were issced
by the Department duFing tho day and A.
the close Of oaHec hours K was stated
that no dispatches from Cou1moro7e
schIev had been received during the day.
There is reason 10 believe. however.
tha. the department received indirece ad-
vices through TIE State Department. poe-
slhly not bearing cut the detailed press
dispatches. but sufficient TO Indicate THAI
an engagement OF Some kind had cceuv-'
red at Santiago. The impression Oh
tasned during the afternoon that IN exc
cu,ion OF the general instructioqD - an
United states naval commanders On thu.
coast OF Cuba to prevent the eons<rue-
tion or STRENGTHENING OF batteries by thu
spaniards Commodore Schley observing
work OF this kind going on at Alerre
Castle had dtawn bis iitet up clore
enough to stop IL.
NO ATTEMPT TO ENTER.
II Il not believed for an instant that ~
made any real attempt TO enter The
harbcr. although II IS entirely conc><~Rklo
Ir,.~<s.....s o,. s3xfb TA.sro