The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-15
PORTO RICO WILL
FEEL THE NEXT BLOW

FILL IHE NtXl BLuW
The Expedition for the Capture Of San Juan will
be Composed Of Entirely New Men and will
go Forward Immediately. Gen. Miles will be
in Supreme Command, With Gen. Brooke,
Now in Command at Camp Thomas, Proba-
bly, his Main Dependence he Expedition
will Consist Of 25, 900 Men-.As 10 Santiago
twill be Garrisoned by lmmunes.
Washington, d. c.. July 1.-THE first
chapter in the land campaign of the
United States against Spain closed to-
day when the Spanish colors gave place
to the American flag over Santiago.
Next will follow the transportation OF
the Spanish troops back to their native
land and the capture of the island Of
Porto Rico unless peace soon interyenes.
The siege of Santiago had lasted two
weeks, and was remarkable in many "a
spects. and in none more than the heavy
percentage of loss through death.
wounds or sickness Of the soldiers and
sailors engaged on both sides. Looking
back over the record of these two weeks
it is seen that Il great ironclad squadron
has been destroyed, that nearly Il thou
sand Spanish soldiers have died in the
trenches M Santiago. On the other
hand about 250 American soldiers have
been killed and in round numbers 1000
more have been sent to the hospitals
from wounds, fevers and other ailments.
Our fleet had remarkable exception
from disaster in the many engagements
it had with the forts at the entrance of
the harbOr and with the Spanish squad
ron.
Next is Porto Rico" said Secretary
Alger after receiving the news of San
tago's formal surrender. ''and then. if
need be. Havana" The Secretary was
in excellent spirits. He has been more
anxious than he dared show as to the
condition of our sick soldiers and look
ed with apprehension upon the possi-
bility of n prolonga ton of the struggle
in the unhealthy valley of Santiago. The
Secretary said that the Porto Rican ex-
pedition would go forward immediate
ly. 1t will comprise new men entire
ly. The warriors in the trenches before
Santiago have distinguished themselves
and it is not deemed prudent to bring
them in unnecessary contact with new
troops in view OF the danger Of spread
ing contagion. The sick soldiers will be
nursed back to health and brought to
the United States as soon as they can be
safely removed. Immune regiments viii
he ordered to Santiago to garrison the
town and. as stated in these dispatches
Yesterday. two of these regiments are
already under orders to proceed. The
Porto Rican expedition will be command
ed by General Miles in person though
General Brooke, now in command 1T
camp Thomas, is expected to be his
main dependence. The size of the expe-
dlfion Will depend upon General Miles
wishes. although it is believed that %
ooo VIII be sufficient for the purpose.
AND NOW FOR PORTO RICO.
At San Juan the navy will be of
greater assistance than it was at San
tiagO. owing to the possibility of ap-
preaching the town more closely with
out risking contact with mines.
General Brooke is now on his way TO
Washington by direction of Secretary
Alger so that he will be i'm position to
make his views known to them. Ex-
perience gained in dispatching Shafters
expedition, it is expected. will aid the
officials in their determination to make
short work Of the Porto Rican affair.
There will be plenty of transports avail
able for the expedition. as the govern
ment has devised other means of remov-
ing the Spaniards captured at Santiago
To Spain than by carrying them on these
transports. That the navy is ready to
DO its share at short notice, goes without
saving. Porto Rico is not expected to
oher a very formidable resistance. 1t
Is beiIeved that the moral effect Of to-
DAY $ surrender at Santiago. will be to
discourage the defenders Of San Juan.
mere is. however. always the prospect
,hal peace may ensue before hostilities
nave progressed against Spain's east
efilmost West India Islands. RumOrs
were aiioat this afternoon to the effect
That the Spanish government, at last
had made oyertures i'm that direction.
but their basis probably was the cur
rent belief that one more reverse to the