The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-27
lar and Navy Departments All
Astir for Conquest.
..s JuAN TO BE TAKEN AT ONCE
..ssyy Authorities Express su-
-.~ue Confidence In Their Abti-
ssx 20 sweep the spanfards Prom
-. Island With the Men Now at
~resr Command-0eeup patton Has
.~.s Decided On without Delay.

xry YORK, Ma IA special 10 the
~-sw5s from Washington says: Extra
.searr activity IN the war and navy
As.ytruents this morning which was not
sss.ed 10 the higher officials. bat In
sasss every Individual Ia both services,
-, every indication OF important devei-
-~euts In the conduct OF war, while an
.nususl secrecy served to strengthen the
~s,.ss.os that prompt and energetic
.alaa along the whole Tine In the West
t-slss had become a question Of hours
aEer than eays.
Esmosy, too definite 10 be ignored. but
xassslble of Official naturalization. ex-
ss.ssa the remarkable hurry and hustle
: aae 10 the presidents determination
n have Porto Rico occupied by Ameri-
"a sola.ers without further delay. and
~ .ae troops which had been coneen-
-stss a. Gu.f ports for the invasion or
eaaa were 10 embark OF the twenty
rsespo.ts which had been secured, and
snasf convoy of Admiral Simpsons
asa de Porto Rico and establish a per-
Esseas colonial government In thc island
saI,ar 10 that which Gen. Merritt is
tssfgsd with creating in the Philippines.
Hswsyer startling the report. its plaus-
Als,y soon received corroboratsvs
grastf through the reluctance of every
sga Official TO deny i. while many SEN
.ars ard other prominent civilians who
.sys influential relations with those car
ring on the war not only affirmed the
aisteaee OF The suggested plan, but
ave eogsnt reasons for Its sudden adop-
nea By the authorities. II WAS said thar
as events OF the last few days IN Cuba.
eliminating In the useiessness TO Spain of
tergsyss fleet. securely "corked' up at
antisgo. aud the destruction OF untram-
zssd cable communication between the
nsnles and Madrid. gave every assur-
see al the speedy collapse or Spanish re-
n.aaee TO the inevitable. and the United
/ BATES government hid awakened To the
sscsssity Of possessing Porto Rico before
ne end came That Island and the Phil
.piaes had come 10 hs looked on as an
nsenlisl recompense 10 the United States
ssr It's expensive intervention n behalf Of
cshas freedom. and the fear had arisen
raj uniess they were actually secured
hsfore Cuba fen. embarrassing compliea-
ems. leading possibly 70 grave internal
seaa complications with European pow
sa might not be avoided.
With the Spanish military f2rces at Ha-
tana e1ectual'y isolated and without
atn remote hopes OF achievements.
sish spala naval forGe sA.s s1sIe OF the
| A.sntic completely paraiyzed. ana with
.As Madrid government already totter.ng
Z rs security of policy. the opportunity
| Or dealing crushing blow through the
klsad o, Porto Rico was hardly 20 be re-
ts;ed The sanitary condition az CUBA
| ~ strength Of the army there. ana many
shSr causes which operated to delay the
EVASION ~ the island with the INSULT
eeai force 81 trained regulars winch II
As been possible 30 coucen-
rate az Tarips IN a single month.
saslly disappeared IA factors OF de-
by h The Porto Riean project.
TIE military authorities express SUI
sreme confidence In their ability TO sweep
:se Sparsards from Porto Rico with the
Ser now at their command while still
reluctant TO attempt the greater task OF
establishing a position IN Cuba with the
zane force VITA the 19.coo we'll equipped
| snd well seasoned troops gathered at
| Tampa, New Orleans and Mobile. and the
see: OF transports already loading. many
q them In fact !n readiness TO sail from
Ihose points. satisfactory assurances were
s2ea 70 the president that there would
= no possibility of a reverse a, san Jua u
4 Porto Rico after the heavy batteries
| lad heen reduced by SIMPSONS ships
| re withdrawal OF these forces. II was
saesn, would leave II go men, The pick
I Z the volunteer army. at the guif ports,
ssils scarcely a days journey away were
| y forty regiments OF infantry. niEe
/ az batteries Of artillery ana eight
nears OF cavalry. in the Chickamauga
| aap, rapidly being trained 81 effective
| epspS WITH the certainty Of becoming
| Speedily ready - meet ary emergency