The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-06-23
And All Energies Are to Be Con-
centrated on Subjugation
of Cuba.
Even Temporary Reverse There
Would Serve to Greatly Pro-
long the War. &
Deportation Of Prisoners From
Cuba Has Been Definitely
Decided On,

NEW YORK, June %. "A special to
The Tribune from Washington says:
The project to occupy Porto Rico is
now regarded by the highest military
authorities of both the army and navy
as practically removed from immediate
consideration, and unless the death
rate of General Skaters army from
diseases indigenous to Cuban soil is ex-
.ceedingly high, the presidents desire
for the prosecution of a general aggres.
\ siye campaign throughout the entire
ISLAND of Cuba may be promptly en-
tered upon the moment Santiago is
icaptured.
The suggestion of Porto Rican cam
paign to precede the invasion of Cuba
was put forth more than a month ago,
before Admiral Sampson bombarded
San Juan, and pending the uncertainty
regarding the destination Of Cervera's
squadron, then several weeks at sea
from Cape Verde. The enterprise was
not abandoned, but was temporarily
pushed aside by the more imperative
necessity of sending General Shafter to
Santiago as expeditiously as possible.
Skater Needs All the support
His feet of transports lad barely
sailed from Tampa last week, before
many officials in Washington, i'll the
absence OF any coun demanding OF the
original orders for mobiliziag the Porto
: Rican expedition again took up its de-
tails and were hurrying the prepare.
tions along on the original lines when
General Miles returned and convinced
the highest officials that the best OF
military reasons existed for concentrate
ing every military resource or the gov
eminent, for the time being az least,
npon the support OF General Shafrer,
whose campaign was of a more hazard
ous nature than had generally been APP
precated. Notwithstanding the ex-
ceilent equipment and the large force
which had been provided III this army
corps the fact that IL, 900 men were 10
be landed i'll q strange country i'll the
face OF a much more numerous force,
whose axact strength could only be
estimated, would probably prove the
crucial event Of the whole war.
Even Temporary Reverse Would BE had.
Its success may be expected to result
in SPANS prompt realization Of the
utility of further resistance, while
reverse, even OF temporary character,
might indefinitely prolong the duration
OF hostilities. The illusion that Porto
Rico constituted any valid advantage
from an international law point was
speedily dispelied by the citation of
precedents, the most recent Of them be-
Ing the acquisition by Japan of For.
anoso at the treaty OF Slmonoseki, all
though the island was in possession of
China at the close of the war.
There seemed, therefore, not to be
any valid urgent reason for sacrificing
General Shafter for the acquisition OF
Porto Rico, and it now appears to be
conclusivelv settled that no further at
fention will be paid to Porto Rico for
the present until it develops strategi-
cal importance not perceived at present.
The wisdom of General Miles in adj
yancing the military exigencies OF
strengthening General Skaters force
Is evident on all sides. The decision to
W0uu 10dSb On0 AOfSiihOHe VI SoAouo
feers on the fast auxiliary crniser Yale
from Newport News on Thurs lay to be
followed by others on the Harvard a.
few days later and another brigade
from Camp Alger during the ensuing
week are fair instances OF
she success OF his recommendations.
Prisoners y SeYious Problem.
A serious problem whose solution has
been determined upon by the aut hori-
ties is that of the disposition OF the vast
number OF prisoners which must fall
into American hands whenever Santi-
ago capitulates. This number is yari.
0usly estimated all the way from IS 900
20 90, 600 men. and as the United States
VIII NOT permit them to suffer any
avoidable hardships, provision has to
be made at once for their maintenance.
It has been definitely decided that tney
cannot be permitted to remain III CnDa,
aud it will therefore be necessary TO
provide large number Of transports to
bring them TO this country, whore |
they can be more readily fed and
guarded. This will require much |
larger feet OF transports than winch |
n,nyeyed General Skaters army and |
considering the extreme difficulty |
syaich the war department has already
confronted In securing N additional