Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-31

washington, May 31.-The command
to advance given yesterday has IN
fused intense activity into every branch
Of military and naval circles. 1t was
shown today In the hurried but sys-
tematic preparations at the various
bureaus at the war and navy depart
ments and the keen expectancy every
where prevailing. The statements made
yesterday by Gen. Miles and Others that
the orders for an advance had been Is
sued left no further doubt on that
point.
The report from Key West that the
steamer returned there this morning af-
ter successfully landing a most import
ant expedition In Cuba. was supple
mented by the information here that
the expedition was In command OF
Cen. I.acret, the well known Cuban
leader. who has with him 400 picked
Cubans, thoroughly armed and
equipped by the United States.
Prior to the cabinet meeting reports
were current that the President had
told some of his callers that he ex-
nected Commodore Schley would at
tack Admiral Cervera today In Santiago
barbor. Inquiry failed to substantiate
this report. on the contrary those In
a position to know the general plans OF
nttack stated that he navy and army
would act together and that one branch
nj the service was not likely to strike
n decisive blow until the other was
ready to cooperate and thus make
the blow doubly effective.
While there continues to be entire
official reticence as to the exact points
OF invasion. the concensus OF opinion
drawn from the most Intelligent
sources, is that the eastern end OF Gu
oa, constituting the provinces OF san
tiago de Cuba. with Santiago de CUBA
MS its capital, and Porto Rico Will be
among the objective points. For this
reason, the situation In Santiago prov
Ince and Porto Rico was thoroughly
Canvassed.
Gen. Lee left Tampa last night for
Jacksonville on the eastern side OF the
Florida peninsula to open headquaf-
ters there But one inference can be
drawn from this movement. namely,
that Jacksonville is to be made q base
of operations against Porto Rico. The
town is admira bly, situated for this pur-
pc1e. In fact. 1t far surpasses Key
West, as a base for operations, even
against any of the eastern points OF
Cuba, The terminus OF an extensive
railway system from the north and
west with good steamboat connection
With New York. with navigable river
afIording a good harbor, and distant
only ] 200 miles from San Juan In an
air line, Jacksonville leaves little to be
desired as base OF military opera
lions.
There seems to be little doubt that
the plan OF campaign contemplates the
reduction of Porto Rico, ana the
President is being strongly urged TO
begin this movement even before any
serious attempt Is made upon Havana:
His advisers point to what they regard
as the danger of retreat on the part
of the Spanish government. 1t might
be possible, according to their view. for
the Spanish to assert that they accept
in full the demands of this government 5
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
n country which holds out the fling of
truce.
The dilemma that would confront us
in such case would be how to secure
Porto Rico without offending against
International law, for It can be safe
~ accepted as the truth that the ad-
minlstration Is determined that he
Spanish rule In he Western Hemisphere
must cease.
READY FOR A LONG CAMPAIGN.
Tampa, Fla, May a.-Gen. Nelson
y Miles and his staff are expected to
arrive In Tampa at a late hour tonight.
The train bearing the chief of the
United States forces IL being given the
right of way over everything and I'M
less some accident happens, should ar
rive In Tampa several hours ahead of
schedule time. Tomorrow nll the
troops in the Fifth army corps will be
inspected by General Miles.
The report that the heavy artillery
is under orders rather lends color to
the theory that Santiago de Cuba in
which harbor the long sought for
Spanish fleet is securely held by
schley's squadron, is to be the object
I've point of the expedition and that n
regular siege Is to be laid to the city.
That the war department expects n
protracted campaign is evident by the
Immense amount of commissary sup
piles that have been received here, Ra-
tons for an army of 10000 men for
three months are now stored in the
government warehouses or await I'M
loading, while hundreds Of carloads
more are expected
The monthly inspection drlll of the
army was held today. The inspection
was unusually rigid.