The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-16
Suburb of the Spanish Stronghold, with
Wharves for Landing Heavy Artillery.
Plans of the War Department to Assist In
Taking Porto Rico Havana as Soon as
Santiago Has Been Captured.

cured under the first call that are short
according to the present standard of the
service.
WAR DEPARTMENT PLANS
Some of the many congressional visitors
at the War Department these days have
been impelled to question the officials as to
the exact purpose of the military expedition
to Santiago. From the strength of the ex-
pedition and certain comments that have
been made by military officers the idea had
got abroad that Santiago was to be made
the base of operations against Havana. 1t
was learned, however, that the departments
plans do not contemplate this. The sole
purpose of landing the troops at Santiago
and capturing the town is to destroy or cap
ture the Spanish fleet, for Notwithstanding
all that has been done towards bottling up
these ships the strategists are by no means
satisfied that if the situation is to be al
lowed to continue indefinitely Cervera
might by a coup de main succeed in break
ing through the Instructions at the mouth
of the harbor and escaping with at least a
part of his squadron. Therefore it is stated
that as soon as Santiago is reduced and the
Spanish fleet effectually disposed of the
United States troops will be dispatched to
Rico or Havana, leaving the insurgents In
eastern Cuba to prevent the Spaniards from
reoccupying Santiago. If the insurgents
cannot be depended upon to do this, and 1t
must be confessed that the officials are be-
ginning to be oppressed by very great
doubts to the amount of service to be ex-
pected from the insurgents in actual war;
fare then some of the United States troops,
perhaps third, or about 5000, will be left
in the vicinity of Santiago under the pro-
lection of some of the American cruisers,
which by that time will have effected an
entrance into Santiago bay.
"A GOOD CAMP GROUND.
The secretary has just received the Ie-
port of the special board headed by Major
Hopkins, that charged with an inspec-
tion of various points that were offered as
good camping grounds for the United States
troops. The board found that good facilities
could be furnished at Jacksonville, Fla,
Fernandina, Fla, and Savannah. Charles
ton had many points to recommend it, but
sufficient ground space was lacking. The
best features for a large military camp
were found at Fernandina. This point lies
twelve miles eff the main line of railroad
communication, which makes 1t possible TO
easily isolate the camp should it become
of yellow fever. A broad plateau affords
splendid camping and drill grounds for 10000
troops and within mile lies one OF the
finest sea beaches in the country. Ore of
the best features of the site is a great
well, LOO feet deep, flowing pure water at
the rate of 2O,OOO,00O gallons per day. Pure
and abundant water has been discovered to
be the first requisite of a healthy military
hat
could be piped all over the camp and Sec
retary Alger, with a view Of having every
thing in readiness, has ordered the piping
to be laid at once, thus in1icatiag the de-
partment's choice of sites.
There is no intention to break up the
present camps unless disease should appear
necessitating the change. Secretary AlgeY's
purpose in sending olt the Hopkins board
was to prepare a camp, not for immediate
occupation, but for the instant reception Of
troops who might necessarily be re-
moved from other camps where con-
tagious diseases appears Touching
Camp Alger, the secretary this aft
ernoon said that no less than five wells
had been opened there yesterday and that
there was every evidence the water supply
which had been a source of complaint would
be ample in the future. The place is free
from flies and mosquitoes, the sick rate is
very low and altogether. in he opinion OF
Secretary Alger, there is no better camp.
General Graham, who is in command has
projected a series of exercise Inarchea
which are expected to do much to harden
the troops while relieving ihem from the
monotony of camp life He proposes To
take two brigades each day on a march TO
point about five miles distant on the river.
The men will be afforded a good bath and
encamped over night under their shelter
tents, being thus gradually Injured &c the
life in store for them. For the same reason.
the camp at Chickamauga being now IN
excellent running order, as shown Iy the
splendid results achieved by General
Brooke. is not TO be discontinued or .perna-
nentIy diminished though OF course there
may be temporary dimunitions Of the ae-
gregate number of troops when drafts are
made upon it. preparatory to starting an
other military expedition.
WAITING FOR THE TROOPS
With General Skaters expedition on the
way to Santiago and the military branch
busily engaged in preparing the expedition
to be sent against Porto Rico. there Is now
nothing for the navy to do but to wait pa
tiently until the troops arriye at Santiago.
1t Is realized at the Navy Departments that
the position of the marines at Guantanamo
bay Is a very uncomfortable one subject as
they are at night to attacks that prevent
them at least from securing much needed
rest and unable because Of the character Of
the country and the nature Of the tactics