The record-union., 1898-06-17
General Miles Called to Washington
for a Conference.
The Expedition to Porto Rico to Equal It
Not Exceed in the Number of Men
the One Now En- Route to
Santiago de Cuba.

of actual events there was little to re-
cord to-day. No word came from
Sampson at Santiago or from Dewey at
Manila. This lack of affirmative news
from the respective seats of war gave
rise to no apprehension. The officials
are resting secure in the belief that the
marines at Guantanamo can easily
maintain themselves until the troops
arrive, and the worst that can be feared
at Manila is not harm to Dewey, but to
the Spaniards in the city.
The officials in the War Department
do not give out any specific informa-
ton as to when General Shafter will
land in Cuba, but from certain signs
of restlessness exhibited by them it is
evident that they would not be sur
prised to have some very important
news within the next twenty-four or
thirty-six hours. The naval officials
are confident that Sampson will re-es-
tablish cable communication within
that time, so that news of the American
ships off Santiago can thus be had,
should it be no longer delayed than the
time required for a dispatch boat to
make the run of forty miles eastward
along the coast TO the shores of Guam
tanamo harbor, where the cable will
be working under the protection OF
Colonel Huntington's marines.
There was an exhibition of feverish
activity at the War Department to-day,
SO pronounced as to attract attention
even in these stirring times. 1t was ap-
parent that renewed efforts were max
ing TO complete the complement of
troops already gathered at the concen-
tration points, and that preparations
are in progress to move a number of
troops. So far, however, it is stated
that no orders have gone out for the ac-
tual movement, and what has been or
is done in that direction is merely pre-
paratory. Very likely definite action
will follow a conference which Secre-
tary AIger and the President will have
with General Miles when he arrives
here tomorrow from Tampa. Tne
General is better aware of the exact
state of fitness of the troops at the
Southern rendezvous points than any
one else, and the President and Sec
retary Alger in all probability will be
bound by what he has to say in decid-
ing upon further disposition of troops.
If General Miles, as is thought to be
probable. recommends further COLI
centration of troops the Southern
seaboard, the new camp at Fernan-
dina, Fla, will be made ready for the
reception of the additional troops. The
nff}pialc hat nd ad fo this
camp profiting by the experience gain
ed in the establishment of the two
great camps at Chickamauga and Camp
Alger.
The President has not yet decided
what measure of reward shall be meted
out TO Hobson for his brave achieve
ment. The men he led have been taken
care of. Secretary Long attended to
that himself. because it was a matter
entirely within his authority. and they
have been made warrant officers, the
ideal of a sailors ambition Hobson is
to be advanced-that is settled. The
department called upon Sampson for a
recommendation in this case. but in
advance of its arrival had about decid-
ed to advance Hobson ten numbers
which would have placed him just be-
low Constructor Linnard when a doubt
dIoSt dS " MueiHeE Tie young man
would not prefer a transfer to the line
His relatives We're consulted among
them his uncle, Representative Pearson
OF North Carolina, and it was decided
to allow Hobson to make his choice as
between the line and staff. Steps ac-
cordingly have been taken to acquaint
him with the departments purpose and
ask his pleasure in the matter.
The Navy Department has sent to
the battleship Massachusetts, a COM
plete new breech mechanism for one of
the big 13-inch guns of that ship. This
was due to a report reaching the de-
partment about week ago that a
breech of one of the guns was out of
order. The new mechanism will be de-
livered in few days. and can be read
lily substituted for the old breech. The
condition of this 13-inch gun gave rise
to rumors to-day that the Massachu-
sets had suffered rather severely dur
ing The first action off Santiago, and
that two of the big guns We're disabled
and gunner killed. There was no
basis for the runner beyond the dis
ordered mechanism referred to.
The War Department expects to
utilize approximately thirty-five trans
ports in the expedition for the inva-
sion of Porto Rico. This statement
was made officially at the department.
1t seems to indicate that the Porto
Rico army will equal II not exceed the