The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-06-15
X ] R 4 !!
SAILING FOR
SANTIAGO.
War News Is Likely to Be
Dull Until the Trans
ports Reach Their
Goal.
MARINES NOT IN DANGER
But the National Pride Is
Involved in Keeping the
Flag on Cuban Soil.
DIRECT CABLE TO BE OPENED
Capture of Cervera's Squadron
the Main Object of the
Expedition.
SITUATION OF THE THREATENED CITY
Famine is Knocking at the Gates
and the Cuban Insurgents are
Keeping the Defenders
Busy.
SITUATION OF THE THREATENED CITY

WASHINGTON, June Is, 1SsS--An au-
thoritative statement was made at the
War Department today contradlctlnS the
reports from Chickamauga that l9'oVo
troops have been ordered to move at once
It is said that the orders sent TO the
commanding officer at Chickamauga dl-
rect the equipping and arming OF the
troops at tn earliest possible moment
This. however, is in line with the general
policy of hurrying up preparations all
along the line. The order did not suggest
any movement of 1900 men,
1t may be naturally inferred that these
orders to expedite the equipment will lead
up to subsequent orders for the movement
of the troops Such orders. however. are
for the future to bring forth. In pur-
suance OF the order to equip. GeneraI
Brooke sent dispatch to the War De-
partment today asking as to the where
abouts of ordnance stores essential for
this equipment. The stores are on the
vav and although there has been con-
siderabl delay the officials believe this
will be Strengthened out in few days,
and that the work of equipment will be
carried out.
With General Skaters expedition on
the way to Santiago and the military
branch busily engaged in preparing the
expedition to be sent against Porto Rico
there is now nothing to do for the Navy
but wait patiently until the troops arrive
at Santiago. So far only one report has
come from Sampson telling of engage
ments between the marines at Crest
Heights and the Spanish troops in the
chapparal and no mention has yet been
made officially of any of the subsequent
night attacks upon the marines.
In his despatch of Monday night, Ad-
miral Sampson spoke of the first affair
as an attack upon tine American out
posts and the naval officers here feel that
because he has made no further reports
that the subsequent engagements de-
scribed by the press correspondents have
been of the same character. 1t is real
lied at the Department that the situa-
ton of the marines is a very uncomfort-
able one. suffering as they do from har-
RAISING night attacks that prevent them
from securing much needed rest and un-
able because of the character of the coun-
try and the nature of the tactics adopt
ed by the enemy from getting fair
chance at them.
However, the Department is assured
uation. because IL seriously threatened
by an overwhelming force the marines
with very short notice can retire aboard
the American warships, where they would
be in perfect safety. It is mainly senti-
ment. embodied in determination to
keep the American flag flying over the
place where it was first planted, and thus
retaining for the navy the honor of OBJ
tanning the first position on shore. that
keeps the marines encanped on the bay
of Guantanamo
It is true. however. that an important
secondary purpose will be served by their
presence as the place will afford proper
cable station when the French cable be-
tween Hayti and Santiago is spliced. It
is possible to operate cable from ship
in the harbor, but the communication in
such cases is preearious and undesirable
Word has come to the Navy Department
thar the ST. Paul has left Cape Haytien
with operators and instruments for the
cable and it will not he surprising Il
Sampson opens direct communication witt
tbe United States via Hayu at almost
anv moment. What threatened to be ar
International difficulty over the opera
tfon Of the cable under such conditions
have been removed and it is said that the
French Cable Company owning the line
has been most obliging IN xecealng 10 ths
request of our government
Although Tampa dispatches said thai
the transport fleet was going to double
Cane Antonio. the western extremity q
Cuba in proceeding to Santiago, the nava
officials do not believe that is the case fo'
~ r,, +l, y : +t,e xveqfar.1 route is fpi-