The San Francisco call., 1898-06-15

y S y increase the forces of scouts.
 The commanding general will be advised to guard particularly against ambush. It is anticipated that immediately after landing the troops steps will be taken, be- fore proceeding in the campaign, to assemble large force of in surgents and organize them into scouting parties to operate against bushwhackers, who, 1t is now known, will be encountered, and to clear the way for the op- erations of the invading army.
 In this way the insurgents can be of real service, and 1t is prac- tically the only assistance of inn portance which they can render. Their familiarity with the country and the methods of warfare which the Spaniards have evidently adopted will enable them to pro- tect our troops from harassing ambushes.
 The two squadrons of Roose- velt's Rough Riders, most of whom are old Indian fighters, also will be available for scout duty, their lack of familiarity with the country being provided against by a detail of native scouts.
 The regulars who have been used to Indian warfare will adOptthe methods which they have heretofore em- ployed in dealing with h. dianS.
 It IS evident to the department that the Spaniards do not place any reliance upon their ability to meet our army in an open fight or to withstand a siege, but that they propose to employ small bands of guerrillas throughout 1he island, to lay ambushes and shoot down pickets from under cover.
 Having started the Santiago expedi- l ton, the War Department has now concentrated all its energies on the preparation of the force to be sent to Porto Rico. Active movements in that line have been made on scale so ex- tensive as to lead to the supposition in some quarters that the attack is to be directed upon Havana, but if this is so, there is no open indication of it. The volunteers collected at Chattanooga. 42,0OO in number, are reaching a degree of excellence, under the magnificent l management of General Brooke. that | would warrant the Government in or dering them Immediately into active service, but, unfortunately, there is still considerable lack of equipment that will not permit of this. General Merritt has brought the sec- ond installment of his force into readi ness and will sail for Manila to-mor row. It Is believed that the advance guard, the three transports which fol- lowed the Charleston to Honolulu, met the cruiser there and sailed in her com pany for the Philippines about the be- ginning of this month. In this case if IS reasonable to expect them to arrive at Manila within week.
 An unexpected complication has arisen as to the right of Admiral Samp- son at Santiago and Admiral Dewey at Manila, to use the cables which each has secured, with a view to bringing them into direct telegraphic communi cation With the authorities here It is understood by officials here that Ad miral Dewey secured the shore end of the cable from Manila to Hongkong some time ago and buoyed 1t with a view to sending dispatches
 The same condition is understood to exist at Santiago, where Admiral Sampson has buoyed the shore end of the cable with view of repairing and using it. But no messages have been sent, and the question has arisen as to whether it is allowable under the rules of neutrality for the French and Brit ish companies owning these lines to permit them to be used for strictly mili- tary purposes.
 The companies control the points of exit and are able to refuse to pass dis patches along, so that the holding of the shore ends by Admirals Dewey and Sampson does not permit them to carry on communication. except through the