The San Francisco call., 1898-05-31
Call Office, Riggs House,
 WaShinPtOD May 20


 The military invasion of Cuba has be- gun. Unless the orders of the War De- partment have miscarried at an early hour this morning the troops that have been gathered at the gulf ports began to break camp and march aboard transports waiting to carry them to the enemy's territory. About twenty-five of these ships. the biggest and fastest that could be obtained suitable for the pur- pose, had been gathered ready. to re- ceive the troops. They will acconmo- date about 10000 men, for in a short voyage like that from one of the gulf ports to Cuba it is possible with safety and comfort to carry a much larger number of men aboard ship than would be admissible in the case of cruise to the Philippines, for instance.
 How many troops started this morn ing, where they took ships or whither they are bound are questions which lhe directing spirits of the campaign re- fuse positively to answer. They have no desire that the Spanish should have an opportunity afforded them to gather forces to attack our soldiers as they land. Therefore, nothing of the details of this first movement can be learned. There is a suspicion that the start will be made from Tampa and Mobile, and in such case the fleets of transp D' s will converge at Key West to pass uu- der the convoy of the war ships which Admiral Sampson has provided to in sure the safety of the troops during the passage across the Florida straits to protect them against attack at the hands of some stray Spanish cruiser or gunboat
 It is probable that there will be no less than four separate military expe- p6 hof will hn lo,1 6e1 at four different points. Whether Porto Rico is one of these points or not can not be learned. Before the entire force which it is proposed to use in Cuba can be landed, the transports must make four separate voyages across the straits. Arrangements have been made to utilize the services of the insurgents to the largest possible extent. The Gov ernment has already sent expeditions to a large number of points on the is- land and landed arms for the insur- gents. Most of the parties succeeded perfectly in their object, and it was said at the War Department to-day that a sufficient number of the insur gents have been armed to constitute a very effective support for the troops as they land.
 White House at o'clock this afternoon between the President and his two War Secretaries Alger and Long, and Major General Miles. in command of +he army. Vice President Hobart, who accompanied the President to Arl- tngton and returned with him to lunch, was present a part of the time, and Secretary Day, who had just returned to Washington, also dropped in during inc conference. After the entire situa- ton. naval and military, had been gone over. Mir. Long retired and MT. Alger and General Miles remained to discuss more in detail the military operations now about t be put into execution as Q result of the definite official inforna- tion that the Spanish squadron is se- cureiy held within Santiago harbor.
 Naturally. those who participated in the conference obseS strict reticence it, It was stated. however, in an authoritative quarter, that the