Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-22

they sent thrill if enthusiasm
through the soldiers and they are
now eagerly awaiting the landing
in Cuba.
The men seem confident of a
swift and easy victory, but they
seem rather to hope for hard fight
ing.
The heat and long confinement
in the holds of the transports have
told very severely on the horses
and mules and many of them have
died during the last days Of the
voyage.
Washington, June 21.-Now that
the army is about TO set foot on
Cuban soil, the purpose Of this
move on Santiago was pointed out
to-day by an army official fully ac-
quainted with the general plan of
action. He said Santiago de Cuba
was not to be made military base
of operations as it was not adapted
for such use Being far removed
from the rich and populous portion
of the island, without railroads or
ordinary highway for transporting
I.unitions of war westward, the
town would be practically useless
as a base of military supplies. Fer
that reason, he said, there had new
er been an idea of occupying this
place as the first base, and then
gradually extending military ope-
rations westward. On the contra
ry, this occupation Of Santiago was
but an incident of the general plan
Of occupying several points and in
due time there would be landings
at the west end Of Cuba just as
there had been at the east end.
When that occurred each point of
landing would serve for the time
being as a base for reaching Ha-
vana than could Havana for reach
ing Santiago. The occupation of
Santiago, he pointed out would ac-
ccmplish several incidental but
very desirable ends. First of these
was the capture Of Admiral Ger
vera's fleet, which would always
remain a menace and an uncertain
factor until entirely disposed Of
Another point which had come up
was the relief of Hobson and his
brave band of associates. While
this might seem minor matter.
vet the government always had
been most solicitous in relieving
and protecting its citizens, and just
now there was added reason why
the strongest efforts Of the govern
ment should be put forth for the
rescue Of this heroic band. Great
Britain had sent an expedition into
the heart of Africa to rescue ore Of
its imprisoned heroes. Gen. Cor
don. at Khartoum. The United
States should do as much and the
raising of the American flag on
Cuban soil, whether at the east or
the west end, would have power
full moral influence. alike stimu-
lating to our own people and our
fighting forces. and d'isheartening
to Spain. The humiliation to Spain
was in having our men and our
flag planted on her soil. whether the
particular point was to be used as
base of operations or not
would also convey information to
the world at large that the United
States was entrenched on the ISL
and of Cuba as we'll as the Philip
pines.
Next TO Havana Santiago is the
largest city in Cuba. Its posses
sion means the possession of prac-
tically the eastern end OF the ISL
and. including all Of the two east
ern provinces. and we'll up to the
famous trocha. II embraces also
the river Cauto. the largest river
In Cuba. and the one used BY Span
iards and insurgents alike for their
most effective naval incursions in
land. Although shallow, Il can be
navieated bv light draft gunhoats,
launches. etc. and it provides
water highway. much better than
roads. for tapning great stretch OF
the interior of the island. With
Santiago occupied. therefore there
will be the advantage Of local base
of onerations: the elimination Of
the Spanish fleet as a factor IN the
war the. the release Of Fobson and
his band and the Establishment Of
an American force under the Amer
lean flag on Spanish soil.
Wa shington. June 21.-The Navy
Department continues to hear from
Admiral Sampson relative to the
general condition Of affairs with
the fleet off Santiago.