The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-27
And About Twenty Thousand United
States Troops Landed for Occu-
patton of the Island.
10000 VOLUNTEERS SWORN In
ENOUGH MORE READY TO SWELL
THE TOTAL TO ABOUT $4,000.
Preparations for Putting the Second
Call Into Effect Now Under Way
at the War Department..
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

e--
| Special to the indianapolis Journal.
| WASHINGTON, May 26-The immediate
| conquest of Porto Rico was decided upon
| at a council of war held at the White House
| to-day. This decision was reached on the
conviction that Cervera's Spanish squadron
| of war ships has been effectually and per-
manently bottled up in the harbor of San
tiago. and the Spanish navy has been prac-
tically eliminated as factor in the war
situation. Official confirmation of the loca-
ton OF the Spaniards may be awaited, but
this will not necessitate serious delay, as
word from Commodore Schley corroborative
of published statements is expected hourly.
Admiral Sampson will be directed to renew
the bombardment of San Juan, and after
the guns have been silenced and the fortifi-
cations reduced he will be reinforced by
regular troops and volunteers to the extent
of 5000 or 10000, or as many more as may
be needed for the prompt occupation of the
island. The effective fighting force under
the Spanish flag in Porto Rico does not ex-
ceed 5000 men. according to advices at the
War Office. The theory obtains in the
White House and War and Navy Depart
ments that Porto Rico can be conquered
and occupied in a campaign of not more
than thirty or forty days, and by that time
our volunteer army will be sufficiently sea-
soned and amply equipped to warrant the
establishment of one or more bases for
military operations in Cuba
1t is not the intention to attack Havana
by land or to attempt anything like a regu-
lar land siege of the city until the end Of the
rainy season. But a great deal of prepara-
tory work can be done before that time.
Troops can be landed on the island under
the protection of war ships to any number
which may be deemed best, and they can be
encamped on healthy. high ground near the
sea. The necessary siege guns can be sent
to this basis of operations and everything
put in shape for aggressive forward
movement upon Havana as soon as the
troops and artillery The stereotyped state
ments that the President contemplates
whilrwind campaign upon Havana by hurl-
ing upon that city a great army of half
drilled, half-armed, half-equipped and
wholly unacclinated raw volunteers may be
dismissed from mind. He has no such inten-
ton. With the flying squadron of Spanish
war ships safely imprisoned at Santiago,
where they cannot escape before the end of
the war, and with the remainder of the
Spanish navy required for the defense Of the
peninsula the President feels that Cuba is
absolutely at our mercy and that it would
not be the part of wisdom to take unneces-
sary risks in it's capture. AS matters now
stand General Blanco is in condition to
make stout resistance, and it is not be-
yond the range of possibilities that he might
actually defeat any army which could now
be thrown against him. Six months from
now he will be in worse shape, and our
army will be in prime condition for an Of
fensive campaign. Besides, the exercise of
reasonable patience may be rewarded by the
termination of hostiities upon such terms
as will permit our occupation of the island
without serious loss OF life. The utter hope
lessness of the war is being felt more deeply
in Madrid every day, and prolongation of
suspense brings peace nearer, upon their
solicitation.
The President looks upon the conquest
of Porto Rico as an emergency necessity.
| Unless sharp action is taken for the oc-
| cupation of the island 1t may slip away
from us. The opening of peace negotiations
before we formally take possession might
debar this country from claiming the island
as indemnity 1t is to guard against any
such contingency that the President has
| decided to move at once upon that terri
| tory
A conference of the greatest Importance
was held to-day at the White House be-
| tween the President and the ranking Off
| cials of the War and Navy Departments.
at which the plans Of campaign were
mapped out. According to the administra~
| tion's view there is no longer danger of
interference by sea with any plans which
may be set on foot for the expulsion of the
| Spaniards from Cuba and Porto Rico