Evening journal., 1898-07-18
TO OATTACK SAN JUAN
Three Monitors Start For
Porto Rico.
A GENERAL BLOCKADE EXPECTED.
All Porto Rican Ports VIII Probably Re
Closed Preparatory 60 the Invasion.
General Brooke In Washington.
Troops May Go In Ten Days.


Troops May Go In Ten Days.
WASHINGTON, July 1s.-Paving the
way Tor the army Of invasion, the navy
department has initiated measures for
olockading all Of the ports of Porto
Rico.
In accordance with instructions sent
py Secretary Long three monitors have
LETT Key West for Porto Rican waters,
Where they will take station in front OF
san Juan, whose fortihcatlons they will
attack. The monitors are the Puritan,
Amphitrite and Miantonomoh, while the
Terror remains on guard off Havana.
The arrival Of these three vessels will
increase the blockading force in front of
San Juan to six vessels. 1t is not in
tended TO keep all of these ships at that
point, however. but on the arrival of the
monitors the other ships Will go TO 9TH
er Porto Rican ports.
There are only eight ports it will be
necessary to blockade-San Juan, Playa,
Mayaguez, Aguadilla, Arecibo. Fajardo,
Naguabo and Arroyo. At the present
time the only port declared in a state of
blockade is San Juan. 1t is expected
that upon the arrival of the monitors
the president will proclaim the blockade
Of the entire island.
It is appreciated by the authorities
that Spain will make a desperate re-
sistance at Porto Rico, provided she
does not sue for peace In the meantime,
and the blockade of the island Is a
warning to Spain and the world in gen.
eral that this government intends to
take possession Of II.
The authorities do not intend to keep
the warships waiting long, but as soon
as arrangementscan be perfected troops
will be sent to the island and the inva-
sion will begin. The declaration and en-
forcement of the blockade IS simply
preliminary step.
Another reason why the president and
Secretary Long do not desire the army
of invasion to delay its departure is the
fact that the monitors have but small
coal capacities, and frequent coaling
will be necessary without a convenient
port to put into when coal is needed
For this reason IL is expected that Rear
Admiral Sampson, directly Ire arrives in
Porto Rican waters next week. will
make arrangements for occupying a
small harbor where his ships can coal
in safety. In fact the programme fol-
lowed at Guantanamo will in all proba-
bility be pursued in Porto Rico.
The dispatch Of the monitors to Porto
Rican waters is significant as indicat-
Ing the desire of the naval authorities
to rely upon their heavy guns. especially
as it has been practically decided to de-
tach all the battleships from Rear Ad-
miral Simpsons command. Besides, the
monitors present a small target and
will be able to escape the shells which
will be fired against them by the San
Juan gunners.
Major General ]. r. Brooke, who, un-
der General Miles, will command the
expedition to Porto Rico, arrived in
Washington on Friday night too late
70 have conference with the authori-
ties at the war department, but he
spent Sunday making plans for the ap-
preaching campaign. It had been the
intention Of General Brooke to leave
Saturday night, but he decided, at the
suggestion Of Secretary Alger, to re-
main until tomorrow and perhaps ION
ger.
General Brooke on Saturday went tc
the office OF Secretary Alger, who about
noon accompanied him to the White
House. where a long conference was
held with the president. General Brooke
with member Of his staff. then went
to the Office Of Adjutant General Corbin
with whom he had a conference, anC
later was accompanied into the secre
tary's office by Assistant Secretary oi
War Meiklejohn. Former residents o.
Porto Rico now living in Washington
were~ called in at one time for definite
facts as to localities in Porto Rico.
The question was taken up first as {
the most advantageous point of EN-
barkatlon. and several places were dis
cussed. In this connection General VIII
son. now in Charleston with ERNST
brigade, has been making a study o
different southern ports.
At the conference General WILSON,
report was read. It distinctly recon-
mends Newport News above othe
places.
Thirty thousand is the number o
troops that are expected TO go with Gen
eral Brooke, and they are expected {
leave within the next ten days. In ad
dition TO the two regiments of regula
infantry. four regiments of cavalry an
eight or ten batteries Of artillery ar
now in Tampa, and the Fifth infantr
also has been ordered there. All thes
regulars will be included I'm the expedi
tion. The plans have gone a step fur
ther and Il is hinted that even some o
the troops from Santiago will go If the
prove TO be perfectly free from infec
tion. But this is far from decided upoT