The Mena star., 1898-06-01


 Before Making an Attempt Upon Ha-
 vana, So as to Hold Something for Ex-
 penses in Case Spain should Assert That
 She Accepts Our Demands About Cuba.
 WASHINGTON, May 31.-The command to advance has infused intense activity into every branch of military and naval circles. It was shown to-day in the hurried but systematic preparations at the various bureaus at the war and navy departments and in the keen ex- pectancy everywhere prevailing. The authoritative statements made yester- day by Gen. Miles and others that the orders for an advance had been issued left no further doubt on that point The report from Key West that the steamer Florida returned there this morning after successfully landing most important expedition in Cuba was supplemented by the information here that the ex- pedition was in command of Gen. Lacret, the weii-known Cuban leader, who has with him 400 picked Cubans, thoroughly armed and equipped by the United States. Prior to the cab inet meeting reports were current that the president had told some of his callers that he expected Commodore Schley would attack Admiral Cervera to-day in Santiago harbor. In- quiry failed to substantiate this report. On the contrary, those in position to know the general plans of attack stated that the navy and army would act together, and that one branch of the service was not likely to strike a decisive blow until the other was ready to cooperate and thus make the blow doubly effective. While there continues to be entire official reticence as the exact points of inva- sion, the concensus of opinion, drawn from the most intelligent sources, is. that the eastern end of Cuba, consti- tuting the province of Santiago, with Santiago de Cuba as it's capital, and Porto Rico will be among the objec- tive points. For this reason, the sit nation in Santiago province and Porto Rico was thoroughly canvassed.
 Gen. Lee last night left Tampa for Jacksonville on the eastern side of the Florida peninsula to open head quarters there. But one inference can be drawn from this movement, namely, that Jacksonville is to be made a base of operations against Porto Rico. The town is admirably situated for this purpose; in fact it far surpasses Key West as a base for operations even against any of the eastern poin ts of Cuba. There seems to be little doubt that the plan of campaign contem- plates the reduction of Porto Rico and the president is being strongly urged to begin this movement even before any serious attempt is made upon Havana. His advisers point to what they regard as the danger of a retreat on the part of the Spanish government It might be possible, according to their view, for the Spanish to assert that they accept in full the demands of this govern ment's ultimatum and are prepared to withdraw their troops from Cuba. In such case the United States would be placed in the disagreeable position be- fore the world of continuing to make war upon the country which holds out the flag of truce. The dilemma that would confront us in such case would be how to secure Porto Rico without offending against international law. for it can be safely accepted as the truth that the administration is de- termined that Spanish rule in the western hemisphere must cease.
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