The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-05-17
Prompt Invasion of Cuba Planned.
CALL OFFICE, RIaes House,
WASHINGTON, Nav 81

WASHINGTON, May 81
An invasion OF Cuba by $4,000
regular and volunteer troops, the
destruction OF the Spanish fleet il it
is on this side Of the Atlantic and
the immediate capture Of San Juan,
Porto Rico, il it is not. These plans
are to be put into execution at once.
1t is freely predicted tonight that
within twenty.four hours news will
come that Admiral Sampson has
commenced to bombard the batteries
Of San Juan. A general belief now
prevails that the Alfoso XIII is the
only Spanish warship in the vicinity
Of Porto Rico or on this side Of the
Atlantic with the exception of the
Alfonso XII, now in Havana harbor.
Therefore, operations will be imme-
diately begun by Sampson. The
Alfonso XIII will be captured or
destroyed and the batteries of Porto
Rico reduced before the Spanish
fleet can across the Atlantic.
1t has also been decided that
there shall be no further delay in
the military operations. There will
be an invasion of Cuba by our regu-
lar and volunteer troops probably
within ten DAYS. 1t has been de-
cided by the War Board that it is
not necessary to definitely locate
the Spanish vessels, for Admiral
Sampson is able to take care OF
them wherever they may be. A few
weeks ago it was decided that only
troops to the number of about 5000
would be sent to Cuba. 1t was not
to be an invasion, but mere Gland
ing" in order to establish base of
supplies from which subsistence aud
ammunition could be sent to the in
surgents, who were to do the fight
ing against Blanco's forces.
Reliable reports from Havana
state that General Bapco is aband-
oniug the interior and moblizing
his troops in Havana and other
ports on the northern coast. 1t
would be a perilous situation for
5000 American troops. But $4,000
together with the insurgents, would
be able to hold their ground until
Sampson, after taking Porto Rico
could return to Havana aud bonn.
bard the batteries and the city, while
the troops attacked from the rear.
l. is confidently expected that on
Friday next the City of Peking, con,
voyed by the Charleston, will sail
out OF the Golden Gate with a,
many troops as she can carry to
Manila. Supplies shipped from the
Fast on Saturday are due to arrive
in San Francisco on Saturday morn,
ing, and there now seems to be nc
reason why the first expedition to
the Philippines should not sail or
the next day.
General b. Tracy's call on the
President to-day revived the rumol
that he is to be made Military
Governor OF the Philippines, anc
the fact that General Tracy woulo
neither affirm nor deny the correct
ness OF the report, or discuss it a
all, was calculated to strengthen thu
belief that the ex Secretary OF th,
Navy will be the first American
Governor of the islands. II it is no
he, General Merriam, commanding
the Department OF California anC
Columbia, will be the man. 1t is re-
garded as certain that the appoint
ment lies between these two.
: week ago it was thought tina
: General Lee would be made Mill
tary Governor, but it is now an
, nounced that he will be given com
mand OF the Fisrt Division OF Volun
teer sent to Cuba.