Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-22
MILES OFF.
Continued from page ~

transports, nut Notwithstanding these III
| structions Admiral Sampson proceeded
with his preparations for the expedition
with a elaboration that was eXasperatng
to officials here
The President. who has been giving the
Porto Rican expedition his personal at
tention, as he has given indeed, ali phases
of the war-linally became deeply con-
cerned lest the part of the Porto Rican
expedition that had already sailed from
this country should arrive at the point of
rendezvous in advance of Gen. Miles and
the navy 1t was feared that # Gen.
Wilson's command. which sailed. yester-
day, from Charleston, should arrive in
advance of Gen Miles and the naval con-
lvoys serious danger and possibly disas
ter might result as Gen. Wilson'S ships
are absolutely without protection
The distance from Charleston to Porto
Rico is trie over 1900 miles. while from
Playa del Este to Porto Rico it is about
100 miles. The comparative distances
which Gen. Wilson and Gen. Miles have
to travel to reach the point of rendezvous
are rendered more nearly equal. however,
by reason of the fact that the former has
more than a fun days start
Fully approaching these facts and real
izing the necessity for prompt action in
getting Gen. Miles and his Cuban eNpe-
diti0n started, President Mckinley, this
morning, issued personal orders through
the secretary of the navy to Admiral
Sampson that he should proceed immedi-
lately to Porto Rico with Gen. Miles The
Presidents orders are susceptible of no
! -f,,i,a IL, N % %
a degree seldom employed except in eases
Of extreme emergency They are of the
sort that Will brook no delay in their eX-
ccution. Admiral Sampson must start at
once or the President himself will know
the reason why. No excuses of an ordi-
mary nature will he accepted by The Pres
ilent for further delay.
Secretary Alger believes that Gen.
Miles on the Yale will arrive at his
destination, sunday morning, with
5000 men under his immediate com
mand. \ day later viii come 1000 men
on the transports and the day follow
ing, 300 more.
Whether the landing viii be deferred
until the arrival of this entire force
or whether Gen. Miles viii take the i'll |
| itiative ana hoist the flag himself on
Porto Rican soil. is left to the dscre- |
ton of that officer.
1t is the departments determination |
that he shall not lack for troops OF
equipment. ana this first expedition
may be followed by several others Us
fast as the troops can he gotten ready |
until word comes from the general that /
he needs no more. Gen. SchWan's (
Brigade comprising the 9TH, the 1lth
and 18th United states Infantry. i
splendid body of trained soldiers sail
ed from Tampa, today, to join Gen.
Miles and of the Porto Rican cxpesii-
ton not an immediate success it will
not be for lack Of disposition in the
war department to supply the every
requisite.
That Admiral Dewey has the stu
alton in the Philippines we'll III hand
is exhibited by his kilograms, the lat
est of which was received, today, which
without boastiug simply reports like
the others that have gone before, tina
affairs are quiet ana satisfactory. Tho
uly a great sense of appreciation of
DoWcy'a diplomatic abilities as the
country has eff his naval skill and cour-
age, and tho best evidence of this is
that it has not found it necessary, up
to this loint To Interfere in any way,
either To protect or to amend his works.
The navy department has now discov-
cred that the biz doubc-turrctcd mon
itor Monterey viii not arrive at Cavite
until August >, that being the a)vices
received at the department from the
captain Of the vessel when she touched
At Honolulu.
Tho admiral's announcement of the
arrival of the second detachment of
United States troops at Cavitc has
given great comfort at the war depart
mont which was not altogether at ease
concerning the first small expedition
lying between Spaniards and the in
sur&onts and without being able to de
pend very largely upon either. WITH
these added troops it Will now be posi-
bic To demand the sure ndcr of Manila,
but it is gathered here that our pur-
pose $ to defer such a movement until
all the United states troops now afoat