The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-20
NOTIFICATIONS IN
PORTO RICAN PLAN

Conveys are to be Used Contrary to First lnten-
tions. through Failure 10 Receive Orders
Gen. Miles did not Leave siboney at Time
Specified, but is Probably on his Way TO
Porto Rico Now. Bids are to be Opened to-
day for Transporting Troops Of Toral to Spain.
Auxiliary Craft are Moving in Large Numbers
from Atlantic 10 Cuban Ports Where they are
10 Perform Blockade Duty, Relieving Samp>
sons Flee, for Duty at Porto Rico and Coast
of Spain.
Washington, ID. c., July 49,. Because
of a failure on the part of General Miles
to receive the orders the President pre-
pared late yesterday, to take command
Of the military expedition against Porto
Rico, that officer did not depart as was
expected from Siboney. The mistake
was soon corrected this morning. how
ever. ana as II result OF some SNORT
telegraphic correspondence that followed
during the day it was gathered at the
department that the Yale would start
tonight Contrary to the first intentions.
and probably without General Miles
seeking. the Yale is to be. conveyed
by several vessels that Admiral Samp-
ba. tr,
among the vessels of his fleet. This
may result in delaying General Miles
progress somewhat, as none of the yes
sells with Sampson is able to keep pace
with the Yale. Nevertheless there is no
doubt that the General will reach Porto
Rico before the detachment of troops
from Charleston.
War Department officials feel that
they are fully justified in their decision
to retain practically all of Shafter's army
at Santiago by the press reports that
reached them to-day indicating the
growth of serious friction between the
American forces and the Cuban troops
growing ont of the lattcr's exclusion
from Santiago by General Shafters or
ders. 1t is felt now that the garrison
originally proposed, two immune regi-
cient to meet an outside Spanish force
that might come from Holguln or Man
zanilo and also to strain the rapacity
of the Cubans. 1t is realized that the
present situation is full of difficulty, and
the future is dark owing to the DISPOSE
ton evidenced by the Cubans to ig'sorc
or refuse to be bound by the amenities
of modern warfare. This first symptom
of friction has suggested to the officials
innumerabIe difficulties that will arise in
the future. OF course it would seem 10
be only polite now to avoid any open
rupture with the Cubans. provided they
can be kept IN leash and not involve the
United States in the disgrace that would
follow the sacking of helpless communi-
ties, but Ut begins TO appear that for
some time to come, and even after the
conquest of Cuba is complete the United
States must maintain there Il military
government in order to meet the respon-
sibilities which it has assumed to the
civilized world.
The personnel of the Porto Rcan ex-
petition having been left i'll large
measure in the hands of General Brooke
it is not possible yet to give an accurate
roster of the organizations that will
enter into it.
The President announced privately To-
day that no date of d2nartIirc ot
the troops to be sent from Chickamauga
to Porto Rico had been fixed, but ne e.,
: pected they would leave i'll about one
week from tomorrow. He is awaiting
detailed report from General Brooke
recommending what troops and Supp~
should be sent from Chickamauga. The
present plan is stated to be to embark
them at Newport News or Norfolk and
those at Tampa either there or at Key
West
Admiral ST bson has received final
orders from tt Navy Department as TO
the part the American fleet is to take
in the campaign against Forto Rico.
They are based on the view that the
campaign is essentially an army move
ment, the duties of the navy being to
lend every support and assistance to the
land operations. The Admiral is in
structed to aid the army movements by
dispatching conveys when rcqr:rcd. and
by covering the landing of troops. As
there is no Spanish fleet in San Juan