Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-18

Is the subject or principal interest IN army
and navy circles. Despite conflicting re-
ports, it is stated with positiveness by high
officials that the big transport procession
has moved eastward around Cape Maysi,
and not by the western route, first indi-
Gated, around Point Antonio. The route
taken is expected to bring the troops to
the place CT debarkation by tomorrow at
the latest unless some unforeseen delay has
occurred, and the feet may possibly arrive
this afternoon. How the troops will land,
whether under fire from the Spanards or
without molestaton, is the chief topic of
speculation among military men. Some of
the officers who have just come from
Tampa and are familiar with General Shaf-
ter's plans. say that preparations have
been made to meet either contingency, a
peaceful landing or one under fire.
In case of landing under fire. consider
able dependence will be placed upon Gen
erals Garcia and Rabi of the Cuban army.
The specific instructions sent by General
Miles to Garcia covered in detail the land
ing of the American forces. Garcia was
to harass and engage the Spanish bands
and see that retnforcements were not sent
to Santiago and the points where the
American troops will land. Another i'm
portant thing suggested by General Miles
was to gain possession of suitable points
around the landing, on which artillery
might be placed. The ordnance will be de-
barked soon after the landing, in order
to give adequate protection to the troops
If such a necessity should arrive. The
landing proper, 1T is calculated. will take
at least ten or twelve hours after the army
engineers have done their work. -
Work Of the EnEineers.
This work of the engineers will como
first, and will consist in putting together
pontoon bridge, much more elaborate than
that usually employed for the crossing of
rivers, and amounting to a temporary pier.
Officers who took part in the departure of
General Skaters forces say everything
was calculated to facilitate the debarka-
tion. The arrangements Of divisions, and
Of individual ships in divisions, was made
with special reference to keeping regi-
ments together, and getting their supplies
to them, when the landing was made
When part Of a regiment is on ship,
the other part will follow on the next Ship
So the supplies, pack trains, etc, are
near as possible to the troops requiring
them. The officials have not even omitted
to calculate on a failure to work the pom
toon pier, by reason of the fire of Spanish
landing through the surf If need be, al
though this is not anticipated. The beach
is low and sandy, shallow far out, and is,
therefore, well calculated for such land
ing.
officials Chagrined at Leaks.
The officials here are somewhat chag-
rined at the very full publicity that has
been given to the intentions Of the govern
ment with respect to Porto Rico. For some
II cd
able that the Spanish in the peninsula, as
we'll as those in Porto Rico and Cuba.
should be kept from knowledge of the
purpose to attack San Juan before the in
vestment Of Havana. Such Is still the pur-
pose even now, after it has become a mat
ter of common knowledge, for notwith-
standing all that has been said to the con-
trary, the President is finally determined
to adhere to his original plans and to re-
frain from dispatching the great force of
100 600 men, which will be thrown against
Havana until the danger from yellow
fever shall have diminished or disappeared.
and, further, until the army itself shall be
in perfect condition as to equipment dis
cipline and drill.
But 1t has come to the knowledge of the
officials that. acting upon the full warning
given by the newspapers of our intention,
the Spanish military strength at Porto
Rico has been considerably developed
within the last month, so that the fortif-
cations which might easily have been re-
duced then would be difficult to destroy now.
This after all concerns the fleet Immediate
| ly. but. in addition. the Spaniards have
been copying the example set by Bfanco
| at Havana and constructing entrench-
| ments, rifle pits and other strong accesso-
ries that If properly availed Of by the de-
| tenders will cost our troops much trouble
| to overcome. If the city is. according to the
original plans. to be attacked simultaneous
l " from land and sea.