The herald., 1898-05-31


was that of Cervera's indisputable pres
ence at Santiago with an American fleet
outside Of sufflcient power to prevent his
to reach the open sea.
In the transports at Tampa in addition
to the large quantity Of supplies needed by
the army, whatever its destination have
been stored a number of powerful Siege
guns, which will be effective for Smelling
the entire basin in which the harbor and
city of Santiago lie, when mounted on high
positions among the surrounding hills.
There is believed to be only a single con-
tingency which could operate to modify
General Miles plans for the laid attack
on Santiago, and that may not develop I'M
til the fleet Of transports under convoy of
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron arrives Off
Cape Maysi In the Windward passage, 900
miles from Key West and scarcely half
a days run from the proposed landing
place on the coast near Santiago. There is
the possibility that Commodore Schley, i'm
patient over the delay at getting at the
Spaniards and in the absence of accurate
knowledge that military reinforcements
are at hand. may, on drawing the fire OF
the batteries, ascertain that their formid-
ability has been greatly exaggerated, ana
determine to force his way into the harbor
and complete the work without assistance.
Should this occur the fleet of transports
and warships arriving in the Windward
passage will quickly secure the news from
scout ships and the alternative destination
Of Porto Rico would at once be adopted.
The promptness with which the depar-
ture Of the army from Tampa has been
effected after the last doubt Of Cervera's
presence at Santiago was removed will,
perhaps, not be known for several days, al
though confidence Is expressed that the
celebrity of the movement will prove re-
markable in military annals. In fact, 1t is
intimated in high official quarters that
several Of the transports have already
reached the rendezvous at Key West, il,
indeed, the entire fleet Is not already on
the way. At Key West an effective addi-
ton to the landing force has been provided
In the marine corps battaliop,on the trans
port Panther. This force is composed Of
trained men especially, drilled to. land I'M
der fire, and it. is expected to be the first
force ashore, wherever the attack is made.
General Miles counts upon the active sup
port of the insurgent General Garcia, who
was visited by Lieutenant Rowan and to
whom couriers have already been sent, in
forming him of the purpose of the Ameri-
can army to invest Santiago, should such
an operation be necessary to destroy Ger
vera's fleet. General COLLAGE and Colonel
Hernandez of Garcia's staff, who accom-
panied Lieutenant Rowan by way of the
Bahamas to Washington, have been con-
stantly consulted by General Miles for the
last three or four days, giving him invalu
able information regarding Santiago prov
lnce, and they will accompany the expedi-
ton from Tampa and act as guides for the
army after the landing is effected.
General Miles dispeled all doubt as to his
own active part in the expedition by an
nouncing that he would be able to embark
at Tampa on Wednesday on one of the fast
est cruisers, which will take him quickly
to the scene of operations.
The size of the force to be landed near
Santiago does not exceed $1,000 men, of
whom 1t Is not expected that over 5000 will
take part In the seige, the others being held
in reserve for usa II extraordinary resist
ance is encountered. The outlook, how
ever. is for quick and decisive action, and
there is confidence among military men
the intention of General Miles to remain at
Santiago an unnecessary hour after the
capitulation of that port and the successful
accomplishment Of the purposes of inva-
sion. On the contrary, most of the troops
will be quickly re-embarked in the trans
ports and the combined military and naval
forces will proceed directly to take possess
sion of Porto Rico, being reinforced for
this purpose by additional troops from
Tampa. These reinforcements will consist
largely of volunteers, including those who
have exhibited the highest efficiency
among the commands now at Camp Thorn
as, Chickamauga. Park.
Perhaps some of these commanders will
reach Key West about the time the MAJ.
expedition starts from there, and they will
be prepared to follow the; first expedition
Immediately II such action at that time ap-
pears to be desirable.