The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-14

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Special TO The st. Paul Globe.
WASHINGTON, June 13. = Official
announcement of the departure of the
army of invasion for Cuba has finally
been made by the war department Of
ficials, and the long-expected move
ment of troops is almost the sole topic
of discussion here.
The figures given out as to the numeri-
cal strength of the expedition, 1864
lend color to the persistent statement
that Gen. Skaters army has been
preceded to Santiago by an expedition
about the strength of the one said to
have effected landing some distance
from Santiago Saturday. 1t is figured
that the combined forces, 1864 men
who left this morning, under command
of Gen. Shafter, and 5000 who are said
to have landed Saturday, would just
about equal the number of soldiers
scheduled to go to Santiago province.
The force originally designated to go
to Santiago was to consist of $1,000
men. With 5000 already there and
Eearly $4,000 under Gen. Shafter on the
way, the figures would be about cor
rect.
OFFICIALS ARE PLEASED.
No one in touch with affairs at
either the war or navy department
who would discuss the expeditions to
Santiago-save to say that Gen. Shaf-
ter's army departed at daybreak-
could be found; hence it is purely a.
matter of speculation as to how many
United States soldiers Will be landed
C,,l
present week. In fact there is so much
satisfaction over the official acknowl-
edgment of the departure of the Shat
ter expedition that little else is being
talked of in official and other circles
at the capital today. War department
attaches were in rare good humor, and
everybody seemed to have been re-
lieved of heavy burden.
There is no longer heard anything
bordering upon harsh criticism of Fle
war department, either for it's failure
to act, or its reticence in imparting
to an anxious public the. facts in con-
nection with the movement of troops
in the advance upon the enemy's
stronghold.
SKIRMISH AT GUANTANAMO.
Naturally there was much anxiety
here when the first reports of an en-
gagement between Col. Huntington's
marines and a body of Spanish troops
reached the capital. Anxious inquiries
at the war department received little
enlightenment On the subject, and it
is believed tonight that the officials
were honest in their, declarations that
they had received no official commune
cations on the subject. That there had
been an engagement was generally be-
lieved, even in official circles, but the
absence of detailed information of the
losses on either side rather puzzled
those who had friends at the front,
and the officials of the war department
as well. Owing to the policy of silence
that has been pursued by the govern
ment. those who were early at the war
department to learn particulars of the
Guantanamo fight went away in re-
sentful mood, thinking that perhaps
they were not accorded the treatment
merited, owing to the policy of war
department officials to give out nothing
bearing upon affairs in Cuba
SANGUINE OF SUCCESS.
There is one thing certain and that
Is that great load has been lifted from
those who have been preparing for the
invasion of Cuba. Everybody at the
war department today was in cheer
ful mood, and each official when ap-
preached spoke enthusiastically of the
progress that had been made. They are
all sanguine of the success Of the ex-
petition under Gen. Shafter
With Admiral Sampson and Commo-
dore Schley in command of the harbor
and town of Guantanamo as well as
the shore for a distance of fully thirty
five miles. it is argued that the troops
will be landed without really serious
resistance.
Once ashore the American troops will,
1t is believed, make short work of the
Spaniards. 1t is argued that If a little