New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-17
INVASION OF PORTO RICO.
THE FORCE WILL PROBABLY EQUAL OR
EXCEED THAT SENT TO SANTIAGO.

WASHINGTON June 16-The War Department
expects to utilize about thirty-fve transports
in the expedition for the invasion Of Porto Rico.
This statemen; was made officially at the De-
partment to-day. 1t seems to indicate that the
Porto Rico army will equal if not exceed IN
numbers that which has started for Santiago.
The estimate is made that the thirty-ive yes
sells will carry between fifteen thousand and
twenty thousand men, with their equipments
and subsistence. Army officials say reports
from trustworthy sources show that the
number Of Spanish soldiers in Porto Rico Is
probably ten thousand although other state
ments indicate that there is considerably less
than that number. 1t is fair TO assume, they
say that when the United States Army begins
active operations against the city of San Juan
every available man in that place will be i'm
pressed into the military service and n gun
given to him. Hence they feel that the army OF
invasion should be Of such proportions as to
leave no doubt OF its ability to cope successfully
with the enemy
EMBARKATION POINT NOT YET FIXED.
The embarkation poiat for the troops for
Porto Rico has not yet been finally determined,
and Will not be until Secretary Ager and the
President have had an opportunity to confer
with General Miles. who will return TO the city
tomorrow. There is no doubt. however mat
this enbarkation will take place from some
point on the Atlantic Coast with the probabli-
ties in favor Of Fernandina Fla. or Savannah.
Ca The merits Of tho frst-named place have
been fully set out and as 70 the latter favor
able comment was made on Il by the Board Of
Army officers which recently examined various
points in the South. Jacksonville also Is con
sidered by the Board a good place for the as
sembng Of troops. although 1t is not believed
that the water I'm the ST Johns River is Of suf
fcient depth 10 permit the easy movement of
large number Of vessels to and from the har
Dor Miami. Fla. examined 10y the Board.
but the conclusion was that II Is not big enough
for the accommodation % any great number Of
men who might bc brought there prior to en-
harkation. Charleston 5. c.. was examined,
but Secretary Aleer SAYS IL will not be used
ELEVEN TRANSPORTS ALREADY SECURED
For The purposes OF the expedition TO Porto
Rico Assistant Secretary Mekeiohn said to-
day that the Department had now available
eleven transports some ~ which already at
Southern points. These will carry about SIX
thousand mon with their equipments The War
Department IS now in communication WITH vari-
Gus coastwisc steamship companies on the At
lantic and Cult with view 10 securing the
additional vessels needed \ large number ag-
gregatinc probably seyentv-nve. have been sub
| mittcd for the inspection n the officers oi Inc
/ Quartermasters Department. from which they
hope 10 obtain the needed ships.
Mr.. Meiklejohn expressed the hope that the
steamship companies would make II point 20
favor the War Department wi'h their transpor-
tation facilities. He appreciated what they had
already done but In view ~ the extra demands
that have been made he hoped they would give
the Department an opportunity 70 charter other
ships az the Government preferred 10 use
American vessels n the work about 70 be un-
deriakcn rather than 20 ask Congress 70 grant
American registers 20 foreign ships which after
the war is over. might prove strong compet-
tors for tho c0astwsc trade.
Mr. Mclklci0hn said 81 had not yet been de-
termined whether any - the vessels soon TO
reach Santiago would be utilized In tho eNpeii-
tion 10 Porto Kico. That vas a matter depend
ing entirely on the military aspect of affairs
in Eastern cuba.
II is said not 10 be the intention ~ the Gov
/ ernment AZ this ilrnc 10 abandon Tampa as
base OF military operations. as has been re-
ported The War Department has vast guam
P tity Of rations and a large number of men Al
that place While IL Is possible that future ex-
peditlons may not embark a, that point yet It
4 f. believed that n VIII continue 20 be used as
q reserve base f0r such work as may be more
] -.,..rionflv dOuc from there