The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-20

WASHINGTON, July 19.-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 corrected this morning. and as
result OF some short Geographic corre-
spondence that followed during the day
1t was gathered at the department that
the Yale would start tonight. Contrary
TO the first intention, and probably
without General Miles seeking, the
Yale is to be conveyed by naval yes
sci that Admiral Sampson has been in
structed TO select from among the yes
sells Of his fleet. This may result in de-
laying General Miles programme some
what. as none OF the vessels with
Sampson are able 10 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 or Smarter
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 out OF the latter's ex-
clusion from Santiago by General Sha1-
ter's orders. 1t is felt now that the
garrison originally proposed, TWO i'm
rnuue regiments, would have been quite
insufficient to meet an outside Spanish
force that might come from Holquin
or Manzanillo and also 10 restrain the
rapacity Of the Cubans. II is realized
that the present situation is full of difn-
Guilty and the future is dark, owing TO
the disposition evidenced by the Cubans
to ignore or refuse 10 be bound by the
amenities Of modern warfare. This
first symptom OF friction has suggested
TO the officials innumeTable difficulties
that Will arise in the future OF course
il would seem 10 be only polite now TO
avoid an open rupture with the Cubans,
provided that they can be kept in leash
and not involve the United States in the
disgrace that would follow the sacking
Of helpless communities. but ii begins
- aupsz- that for some time 10 come.
and even altar the conquest OF Cuba is
couplete. the United States must main
tain there q military government in
order ID meet the responsibilities which
il has assumed 70 the civilized world.
The personnel OF the Porto Rican eX-
ure in the hands OF General Brooke; il
is not possible yet 10 give an accurate
roster OF the organizations that will
enter into IL.
The President announced privately
to-day that while no date Of departure
OF the troops 10 be sent from Chicka-
manga TO Porto Rico had been fixed,
he expected they would leave about one
week from tomorrow. He is awaiting
a detailed report from General Brooke
recommending what troops and sup
plies should be sent from Chickamauga-
The present plan is stated TO be TO en-
bark them at Newport News or Nor
folk, and those at Tampa either there
or at Key West.
Admiral Sampson has received fnal
orders from the Navy Department as
to the part the American fleet is to take
in the campaign against Porto Rico
They are based on the view that the
campaign is essentially an army move
ment, the duties of the navy being Il
lend every support and assistance Il
the land operations. The admiral i:
instructed TO aid the army movement.
by dispatching conveys when required
and by covering the landing of troops
AS there is no Spanish feet in SaI
Juan harbOr or other Porto RicaI
ports. the navy has a limited field O
operation. The reduction of the harbo
Notifications will be the main work
but this and all other operations OF tn
feet viii be supplementary TO the mail
operations conducted by the army. Tn
strategists, military and naval. ar
agreed that the taking Of Porto Rico 4
primarily a military under taking. ant
Admiral SIMPSONS orders are on thes
lines.
The Navy Department is rapidly
moving the large fleet OF auxiliar!
craft made up of merchant ships
large ocean-going yachts, tugs, etc.
from Atlantic coast points TO CubaI
waters, where they will be placed OF
blockade duty. thus releasing tn
larger ships for more active duty a
Porto Rico, and the coast of Spain
Three OF these smaller craft were sen
south to-day, and most all Of them vii
be on the way within week. stoppin.
only long enough at Norfolk to hav,
their batteries strengthened.
When the war broke out a larg