The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-21

parlment expects 10 ulIIIe dpploAi-
mately thirty-fve transports in the
expedition for the invasion of Porto
Rico. This statement was made offici-
ally at the department today. 1t SEEM
to indicate that the Porto Rico army
will equal if not exceed in numbers
that which left for Santiago. The es-
inmate is made that the thirty-five ves-
sells will carry between II, 900 and 10000
men, with their equipments and sub
sistence. Army officials say tina re-
ports which nave been received from
reliable sources show that the number
of Spanish soldiers in that country is
probably 10000 men, although other
statements indicate that there is con-
-siderably less han that amount.
1t is stated positively that the en-
barkatiOn point for the troops for
Porto Rico has not yet been finally de-
termined and will not be until Score
tary Alger and the president have had
an opportunity to confer with General
Miles. There is no doubt, however, that
this em~barkation will take place from
some point on the Atlantic coast with
a probability in favor of Fernandina
Fla, or Savannah, Ga.
For the purpOs of the Porto Rican
expedition, Assistant Secretary Meik-
qejOhn said today the department had
now available eleven transports, some
of which are already at southern points
and these will carry about 5000 men
with their equipments. The war de-
partment is now in communication with
the various cOastWise steamship COM
panies on the Atlantic and gulf with a
view to securing the additional vessels
needed. H., +
Mr.. Meiklejohn said it had not yet
been determined whether any of the
vessels soon to reach Santiago would
he utilized in the Porto Rican expedi-
tiOn. That was a matter entirely con-
fingent upon the military aspect Of aft
fairs as they might develop in eastern
Cuba. 1t is stated not to be the inten-
zion Of the government at this time to
abandon Tampa as a base of military
operations as has been reported. The
war department has a vast quantity
of rations besides a large number of
men at that place. While it is possible
that future large military movements
may not he embarked from that point,
yet it is believed that it will continue
TO be used as a reserve base for such
work as may be more conveniently
done from there.
No NEWS AT ii DEPARTMENTS
In the way of actual events there
was little to record today; no word
came from Sampson at Santiago or
from Dewey at Manila. This absence
of Affirmative news from the respective
seats of war save rise to no apprehen-
sion. Thn E~.nciais are resting secure
in the belief that the marines at Guam
tanamO can easily maintain themselves
until the trOOnS arrive and the worst
that can he feared at Manila is no
harm to Dewey, but to Spaniards in
the city.
The officials of the war department do
not care to give out any specific infOr-
nation as to when General Shafter
with his troops will land in Cuba, but
from certain signs of restleSsness eX-
Inhibited by them it is evident that they
would not be surprised to have some
very. important news within the next
t~wenty-four or thirty-six hours.
The naval officials are confident
Sampson will lave established cable
connection within that time, so that
news Of the arrival of the American
troops-transports off Santiago should
not be longer delayed than the time re-
quired for a dispatch boat to make the
u of forty miles eastward along the
coast to the shores of Guantanamo
harbor where the cable will be working
under the protection of Colonel Hunt
fngton's marines.
TROOPS AT CAMP TO MOVE.
There was an exhibition Of feverish
activity at the war department. today,
so pronounced as to attract attention
ven in these stirring times. 1t was
apparent that enewed efforts were
making to complete the equipment of
the troops already gathered at the con-
centration points and that preparations
are in progress to move a number of
troops. So far, however, it is stated
that no orders nave gone out for the
actual movement and what has been
and is being done in that direction is
merely preparatory.
Very likely definite action will follow
a. conference which Secretary Alger
and the president will have with Gen
eral Miles who is expected to arrive
here tomorrow from Tampa. The gen
al is better aware Of the exact state
of fitness of the troop at the southern
rendezvous points than any one else
and the president and Secretary Anger,
in all probability, will he bound by
what he has to say in deciding upon the
further disposition of troops. If Gen.
erai Miles, as is thought to he propa-
ble, recommends a further c~oncentra-
tion of troops on the southern sea-
board, the new camp at Fernandina,
y ld.yf II w iIA eau lol lhS lOSCP-
ton of the additional troops. The Off
Gals have been f~orehanded as to this
camp, profiting by the experience
gained in the establishment Of the two
great camps at Chickamauga and
Camp Alger.
LIEUTENANT HOBSON'S PROMO
TON.
The president has not yet decided
what measure of reward shall be meted
out to Lieutenant HObson for his brave
achievement. The men he led have
been taken care of; Secretary Long,
attended to tha himself, because II
was a matter entirely within his au-
shortly, and they have been made war
rant officers, the ideal OF a sailors am
bition. 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