Evening star., 1898-06-07
Army to Invade Santiago Will Get
Away Tonight.
HEAVY FIELD PIECES CAUSE DELAY
Then Will Follow the Invasion of
Porto Rico.
REINFORCEMENTSF FOR DEWEY

According to the best-posted members of
the cabinet. which held a session of about
the usual length today, the army Of inva-
sion for Santiago will get away tonight;
certainly not later than tomorrow morning.
1t will consist. as near as can bs learned, of
25.OOO men, the larger part Of them regu-
lars. The delay about their moving has
been in getting the heavy field pieces on
board, and in getting together the equip
ment for these enormous engines of death
and destruction. 1t Is thought several ships
sailed this morning.
The men picked out have been ready for
several days and the transports have been
in good condition. The entire delay has
been in getting the gigantic field pieces on
board. 1t is expected that these high-power
guns will be used in firing from the tops Of
the mountains down on Cervera and the
fortifcations Of Santiago. The army of in
vasion would have been ill-prepared with
out them. Had it not been for getting these
guns board the invading army would
have sailed yesterday.
Then for Porto Rico.
Immediately following the safe landing Of
the United States army the transport ships
will return to Key West and Tampa, ready
to take an expedition of 10000 men to Porto
Rico. In the meantime everything will BE-
got ready for the Porto Rican expedition.
There will not be SO much delay in sailing.
This expedition will get away some time
next weak By that time the investment
Of Santiago will be well under way, and
Sampson can spare enough ships to bom-
bard San Juan or any other city. 1t is be-
ieved that the capture Of Porto Rico will
be easier than the capture of Santiago.
Three cabinet officials said that no
United States troops have yet been landed
near Santiago and that the stories from
there Of fighting on land probably come
from the landing Of marines with field
pieces from the ships for the insurgents.
1t is known that Sampson had instruc-
tfons to spare whatever guns possible to
the insurgents. 1t is thought the landing
of these guns was vigorously resisted by
the Spaniards and that the fighting be-
tween the Spaniards and insurgents has
been lively, the warships protecting the
insurgents and the marines who have been
engaged in the landing. 1t is said that it
has never been the policy of the govern
ment to land a small invading force any
where, and that no such plans will be
adopted ct any time
Manila Can BE Taken Easily.
1t now leaks out for the first time that
in one of his earliest dispatches Admiral
Dewey told the President that he could
take Manila with 5000 troops, and that he
did not care for over that number. While
having confidence in his Judgment the
President thought that no chances of dis
aster should be taken and that is why a
large number of troops will eventually go
to the Philippines. 1t would not sur
r-iS he ,{pfc
Dewey takes Manila with the first expe-
dition sent ten days ago unless his instruc-
tions are explicit to wait for more troops.
The administration, however does not pro-
fess to be better Judge of the sttuat ton
at Manila than Dewey. The. news from
the Philippines is encouraging to the ad-
ministration as showing that the rebel SOL
diers have taken heart and are fighting
with success. So far, it is said, they have
committed no eNcesses for which this gov
ernment will be responsible, and it is hoped
Dewey will be able 20 prevent anything
OF this KIND. The large number of troops
soon to be in Manila will be used to keep
peace after the capture of the city.
No Policy for the Philippines FOsmu-
lated.
The President has not yet attempted to
discuss any policy for the Philippines.
draft of the military tariff for the islands
has been submitted to him, and so soon
as it is completed by changes which the
President suggests it will be forwarded to
General Merritt
The arrival of the Charleston will re-
plenish the ammunition of the American
admiral With the regular troops going on
the next expedition the American force
will probably be large enough to take
Manila without delay.
So far no tangible hints of the desire of
Spain for peace have reached the admins
tt Iation, but that does not discourage the
opinion that peace terms will be asked
for after the fall of Santiago and Porto
Rico. All thought Of the immediate inya-
sion OF Cuba proper has been abandoned,
and the whole course of the future will
depend, it is said, the result of the
attacks on Santiago and Porto Rico and
the attitude OF Spain when she knows that
everything is going against her.
The Disabilities Bill Signed.
President Mckinley today signed the bill
removing all disabilities resulting from the
civil war. This was the bill introduced in
the House by Representative Jenkins of
Wisconsin. Mr.. Jenkins does not know
how many ex-confederates will be affected
by the bill.
Protest From Grape Growers.
Representative Hilborn of California to-
day presented to President Mckinley a
strong telesraphic protest from grape
growers and wine makers of California
against features of the recent reciprocity
agreement with France. The protest stat
ed that the agreement would be injurious
to the legitimate grape interests of Cali
fCrnia. The President bat tba
matter be laid before Mr.. Kasson, the spe-
cal commissioner who arranged the agree
ment with France. Other members of the
California delegation have entered strong
protests at the White Hou.e.
Pleased With the Oregon Election.
President Mckinley was much pleased
with the early news this morning from the
Oregon election. He expressed his pleasure