The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-06-04

pose DN additional troops from Tampa.
These reinforcements will consist largely
of volunteers, including those who have
exhibited the highest efficiency among TIE
commands now at Camp Thomas, ChicSa-
manga Park.
Perhaps some of these commands will
reach Key West about the time the main
expedition starts from there, and they
will be prepared to follow the first expe-
dition Immediately if such action at that
time appears to be desirable.
Plan for the Land Attack
In attacking the defenses of San Juan,
Admiral Sampson learned that guns on
shipboard could not be elevated sufficient
ly to do effective work against fortifica-
tions situated ON high hills. This lesson
has shown the government that the land
attack on the Spanish warships in Santi-
ago harbor would doubtless prove more
effective than attack from the sea by
Schley's vessels Santiago is surrounded
by high hills, and, with siege guns mount
ed on these the United States troops could
make it very uncomfortable for the enc
my's craft in the water below. Cervera
would be unable to train his high-power
rifles on the bluffs occupied by the Amer
lean forces, and would probably be obliged
to desert his armorclads and destroyers to
prevent useless waste of human life, or
else attempt to run out of the harbor and
chance it with the squadron under Schley
As matters stand, Cervea's position APP
-, lsa I, ha
he can be made to cross fire with the
American naval commander, nothing
would be more pleasing to the authorities
here, and also to Commodore Schley. If
the American land expedition forces him
to abandon his vessels and Schley sue
ceeds in gaining an entrance to the inner
roadstead, the satisfaction will be even
greater. With the insurgents controlling
the territory Immediately aronud Santi-
ago the landing of United States troops
would not be attended by great risks, and
after the Spanirds had been driven from
the eminences overlooking the haTbor and
city, little would be left for accomplish
ment before beginning the bombardment
of the ships below, except throwing up
Notifications and installing heavy ord
nance.
Strong Force landed.
Key West, May 81 The steamer Flor.
ida returned here a, a. IN. today from
Cuba, having successfully landed a most
important expedition ON the island.
Nearly 400 men with pack train and
large quantity of arms and ammuni
tion sailed for Cuba on the Florida OF
the night of May 2lst. These men and
equipments constituted an expedition able
to operate independently and defend itsel
against any body of Spanish troops which
might oppose it.
The expedition was under command o
Colonel Jose Lacret, formerly insurgen
commander in Matanzas province. HI
assumed direction of affairs immediately
on landing the expedition.
In the landing of the expedition tn,
United States army was represented By
l Captain j. A. Dorst, and Estrada Palm,
was represented by j. L. Cartzya, wht
has landed nearly every tilibustering eX
= petition for more than year. Genera
Julio Sanguilly, on his way to report t
5 Gomez, was also on board.
! This is the most powerful anti-Spanisl
y expedition ever sent to Cuba. About 3O'
e of the men are Cubans; the others bein;
: Americans. The engineer corps of the ex
d petition is composed entirely of Ameri
e cans under Murelian Ladd. The men wer
+ dressed in canvas uniforms, furnished b,
+ the United States government, and tn
commissary department had ration
o enough enough to last 10 days after land
n ing The pack train consisted of 70 mule
) and s25 horses. The expedition carrie'
Il 1000 rifles and 100000 rounds of am
/ munition for General Garcia.
t The Florida reports that she landed he
?. party about 25 miles east of Havana
} Thursday, May %. No shot was fired
o When the Florida, escorted by the Osce
o ola, drew up close to shore at the plac
:, selected for the landing, she sent scout
= to see if all was clear. The scouts wer
J. greeted by Generals Feria and Rojas, wit
S some 1900 armed insurgents.
The landing of the expedition was i
i the nature of triumphal invasion. Tn
/ Cubans who were in waiting for the pai
o ty had brass band and welcomed tn
/ new corners with national airs. The wor
T of unloading the cargo was promptly bt
g gun by the 432 men composing the eS
l. petition.