The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-18
AT HEADQUARTERS
PLANS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR
CARRYING ON THE WAR
MORE TROOPS ARE NEEDED
Hobson Held as a Hostage to Save
MORO Castle From Bombardment.
Objections to His Promotion
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, June 17.-Plans are
moving steadily for sending expeditions
both to Porto Rico and Cuba. There is
little likelihood that a second expedition
of 5000 men to reinforce General Shafter
at Santiago will leave within the next few
days, as has been reported. The necessity
of sending these additional forces is ques-
toned by high military officials and,
moreover, the means of transporting such
d force are not available. The main con-
sideration just at present is the equipment
of an expedition of greater dimensions
than any heretofore dispatched, with Porto
Rico as the objective point.
More Men Needed
A month ago the military authorities
were satisfied that small force would be
sufficient to occupy Poto Rico, as the Span
ish force there did hot exceed 5000 or 5000
men. Now, however, the Spanish garfl-
sons have been SO reinforced and the de-
lenses strengthened that 1t Is believed
a much larger invading army will be re-
quired. Moreover, the officials were salts
fed, on learning today that the Cadiz flee.
had sailed, that the ships would go to
Porto Rico, rather than to Cuba, If they
crossed to this side.
1t was pointed out that this move would
be the natural strategic one of the Span
ish commanders to take, as there was still
something for them to save in Porto Rico.
Holding Hobson as Hostage
The naval officials are somewhat puzzled
at the failure of the effort to exchange
Hobson and his crew, just announced from
Havana. OF course, this is not perma-
nent but simply means that the Havana
authorities as yet have not been author
lied to exchange prisoners. The report
that came from Madrid was that the ex-
change had been authorized, SO it is sur
missed that the Spanish government has not
yet found means of communicating its
decision to General Blanco at Havana.
Prominent naval officers are putting 81,
long faces over the projected promotion of
Hobson to the rank Of lieutenant COM
mander. Not that they object to his re-
ward, but they feel that it is hard that
some means could not be found to do this
without practically injuring the $50 officers
whom he will jump.
Dewey's Report
Dewey's report of June IL from Cavite
was food for a good deal of discussion
today at the navy department. Taken in
connection with the press reports, it would
seem to indicate that Manila probably has
fallen by this time. One phrase used by
the admiral "that they do not intend 10
take the city at the present time war;
rants the belief that he has reached a
perfect understanding with the insurgens
leader, and that the town is not to be at
tackled until the American troops arrive
For some reaSons If is extremely deSira HE
that such should be the case, and that
Dewey should receive the surrender of the
town in person rather than force the Span
iards to surrender to insurgents and there
by afford possible pretext for the inter
ference of some of the European powers
whose ships are gathering in suspiciously
large numbers in Manila today.
The Cadiz Fleet
The Cadiz fleet Is being narrowly watched,
although the naval view Is not similar to
e. that taken by the army officers. The for
mer do not attach so much Importance to
the fleet as the latter, and few of the Off
GERS can be found to believe that the ships
will ever venture for from the Spanish
coast, much less attempt to cross the At
lantic or go to the Philippines. The list
of vessels in this fleet is rather formidable
in sound, but as matter of fact it includes
not more than two up-to-date war vessels,
excepting the small torpedo gunboats It
is certainly the opinion of the naval officers
here that If Dewey had the Monterey with
him he would have no difficulty in repuls-
ing the whole Spanish force, while the Ca
diz fleet would only afford pastime for
SIMPSONS steel bulldogs.