The record-union., 1898-06-01
PORTO RICO AND CUBA.
Both Islands to be Invaded by
United States Troops.

WASHINGTON, May 31-The COM
mand to advance, given yesterday, has
infused intense activity into every
branch Of military and naval circles.
1t was shown to-day in the hurried but
systematic preparations at the various
bureaus at the War and Navy Depart
ments, and in the keen expectancy
everywhere prevailing. The authori
tative statement made yesterday by
General Miles and others that the or
ders for an advance had been issued
left no further doubt on that point
The report from Key West that the
steamer returned this morning after
successfully landing a most important
expedition in Cuba was supplemented
by the information here that the expe
dition was in command of General La
cret, the wellknown Cuban leader, who
has with him 400 picked Cubans, thor
oughly armed and equipped by the
| United States.
Prior to the Cabinet meeting reports
We're current that the President had
told some of his callers that he ex-
racted Commodore Schley would at
tack Admiral Cervera to-day in San
tiago harbor. Inquiry failed to sub
stantiate this report On the contrary,
plans Of attack stated that the navy
and army would act together, and that
/ one branch of the service was not likely
to strike decisive blow until the other
was ready to cooperate and thus make
the blow doubly effective.
While there continues to be entire Off
cial reticence as to the exact points of
! invasion the consensus Of opinion,
/ drawn from the most intelligent
sources, is that the eastern end of Cuba,
constituting the province of Santiago,
with Santiago de Cuba as its capital,
and Porto Rico, will be among the OBJ
jective points. For this reason the sit
uation in Santiago province and Porto
Rico was thoroughly canvassed.
General Lee left Tampa last night for
Jacksonville, on the eastern side of the
Florida peninsula, to open headquarters
there. But one inference can be drawn
from this movement, namely. that Jack
, sonville is to be made a base of opera
tions against Porto Rico The town is
admirably situated for this purpose: in
fact, it far surpasses Key West as a
base for operations, even against any
of the eastern points of Cuba. The ter
minus of an extensive railroad system
from the north and west, with good
steamboat connection with New York,
with navigable river affording a good
harbor and distant only 1900 miles
/ from San Juan in an air line, Jackson
Vile leaves little TO be desired as a
base of military operations.
There seems to be little doubt that
the plan of campaign contemplates the
reduction Of Porto Rico, and the Presi-
dent is being strongly urged to begin
this movement, even before any serious
attempt is made upon Havana. His ad-
visers point to what they regard as the
danger OF a retreat on the part of the
Spanish Government 1t might be pos
sible. according to their views. for the
| Spanish to assert that they accept in
full the demands OF this Government S
ultimatum. and are prepared to with
draw their troops from Cuba. In such
case the United States would be placed
in the disagreeable position before the
world of continuing TO make war upon
the country which holds out the flag of
| truce. The dilemma that would con-
front US in such case would be how
| 10 secure Porto Rico without offending
| against international law, for it can be
safely accepted as the truth that the
Administration is determined that
/ Spanish rule in the Western Hemis-
| phere must cease.
| Now that General Miles has gone. it
can be stated that for the last FIVE DAYS
! he has held frequent conferences with
prominent Porto Rican, thoroughly
/ conversant with the situation in that
| island, and able to give exact informa-
| tion as to the Spanish strength, de-
1 fenses, etc. there.
| AS to Santiago Province the situation
| was explained to-day by an official well
! acquainted with the conditions there
| He pointed out that it is the most east
/ ern section of Cuba, and the one COM
pletely separated from General Blanco
SO far as railroad connections are con-
! cerned. For that reason Ii will be i'm
! possible for Blanco to hurry reinforce
| ments to Santiago. and the Spanish
| forces already there constitute all that
| it is possible to assemble for its defense
| These forces are under General Pando
with headquarters at Holguin about 100
miles northwest of Santiago de Cuba
! Pando has force of about 5000 troops
| and is strongly intrenched. A short
railway connects him with the port Of
| Gibara. on the north coast, where there
| Continued on Fifth Page)