Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-02
OFF TO THE FRONT.
An Expedition for the Invasion Of
Cuba Makes a Start.
DETAILS KEPT STRICTLY SECRET.
Arrangements Made to Utilize the Services
Of the Inaurgenta-A War Conference
at the White HOuse-Geu. Miles
Leaves for the south.

WASHINGTON, May ii. The military
invasion of Cuba has begun. At an
early hour yesterday morning the
troops that have been gathered at the
gulf ports began to break camp and
march aboard transports waiting TO
carry them To the enemy's territory.
About % Of these ships, the biggest
and fastest that could be OBJ
tanned suitable for the purpose,
had been gathered ready TO re-
ceive the troops They will accommo-
date about $4,000 men, for, in short
voyage like that from one of the gulf
ports TO Cuba, it is possible with safe
ty and comfort to carry much larger
number Of men aboard ship than would
be admissible in the case OF a cruise to
the Philippines, for instance. How
many troops started yesterday morn.
ing, where they took ships, whittier
they are bound, are questions which
the directing spirits Of the campaign
refuse positively to answer. They
have no desire that the Spanish should
have opportunity afforded them to
gather forces TO attack our soldiers
as they land. Therefore, nothing Of
the details Of this first movement can
be learned There is suspicion that
the start will be made from Tampa
and Mobile and 1t is probable that, in
such case, the fleets Of transports will
converge at Key West TO pass under
the convoy OF the warships which Ad-
miral Sampson has provided to insure
the safety Of troops during the passage
across the Florida straits TO insure
them against attack at the hands OF
some stray Spanish cruiser or gun.
boat
1t Is probable that there will be no
fewer than four separate military ex.
petitions, and that these will be land
ed at four different points Whether
Porto Rico is one of these points or
not cannot be learned Before the en-
tire force which 1t is proposed to use
In Cuba can be landed, the transports
must make four separate voyages
across the straits
Arrangements have been made to
utilize the services of the insurgents
to the largest possible extent The
government already has sent expedi-
tons to large number OF points on
the island and landed arms for the in.
surpents. Most OF the parties succeed.
ed perfectly In their object, and 1t was
said at the war department yesterday
that sufficient number Of the insur-
gents have been armed to constitute a
very effective support for the troops
as they land.
A war conference was held at the
white house at three o'clock yesterday
afternoon between the president and
his two war secretaries, Alger and
Long, and Maj Gen. Miles, in com.
mand Of the army. Vice President
Hobart, who accompanied the presi.
dent TO Arlington and returned with
him to lunch, was present part of the
time, and Secretary Day, who had just
returned TO Washington. also dropped
in during the conference, Gen. Miles
yesterday made known that, at one
o'clock yesterday morning, imme.
diately following the receipt of def.
mite information Of the presence Of the
Spanish fleet at Santiago, he had gone
to the war department and had issued
telegraphic orders putting the troops
in motion and thus starting the for.
ward movement of the military arm
of the service. Further than this
those attending the conference would
not discuss their plans
Gen. Miles and his staff, with the
exception Of Gen. Gilmore, left for the
south about II o'clock last night 1t
was In anticipation OF this that the
final plans were gone over with the
president In the afternoon Gen. Miles
would not state where his headquar-
tors will be located, and, Indeed, " is
probable be will move from place 10
place as circumstances demand Gen.
Shafter will be in immediate command
OF the forces now embarking, while
Gen. Miles will have general super
vision Of this and oil military move