Evening journal., 1898-07-26
RUsHINo RE-ENFoRoEMENTs.
Troops WIN All Be In Porto Rico with
in a Week.

Troops WIN All BE In Porto Rico with
in Week.
WASHINGTON, July 26.-The war
department was busy yesterday hur-
rying the dispatch OF the remainder Of
Miles expedition against Porto Rico.
Such progress has been made that 1t Is
hoped all Of the troops viii be on Porto
lNcan soil within q week at the latest
General Miles is not expected 10 defer
his landing until that time. but pre-
sumably viii pick out a suitable place
for encamping his troops and establish
himself ashore. waiting the arrival OF
the other detachments now on their
way.
The war department officials expect
that the first news received from Cen
eral Miles viii come through the press
dispatches, as the general has not with
him 80 far as is known any dispatch
boats. IL will be at least Saturday be-
fore direct cable communication can be
established with him. and In the mean
time reliance must he had on the dis
patch boats running across to St
Thomas. distant about four hours run.
The work Of embarkatlon at Harnp-
ton Roads Is being conducted with much
less difficulty and delay than was eX-
pected. Colonel Hecker, In charge Of
the transportation division OF the war
department, who has Just returned
from that place has reported to Secre-
tary Alger that II is eminently suited
60 the shipment OF the troops. Conse-
quently the secretary has ordered all
OF General Grants brigade, 5000 men,
from Chickamauga to Newport News
II Is not expected that all Of the trans
ports required for their accommodation
viii have arrived there by the time the
soldiers get in but they will encamp
on suitable ground there, and Il Is be-
lieved will be benefited by the change
from Chickamauga.
Adjutant General Corbln. with his
faithful private secretary, Mr.. Coursey.
Sunday night completed the hundredth
consecutive nights service at the de-
partment. and yet there seems 20 be lit
tie dlmlnution in the number of tele-
grams and letters and official papers
pouring I'm upon this officers work.
The signal service officers have sue
ceeded in reclalming from the battle
field OF Santiago the tubes which sup
piled the military balloon with pure
hydrogen gas. and they, with the bal
loon itself have been brought over to
Tampa on the steamer Adria. The
tubes will be rccharged Immediately,
and the whole apparatus will be dis
patched at once 20 Porto Rico TO assist
General Miles In his campaign there.
The balloon IS said 10 have proved OF
great value i'm the Santiago campaign.
and from the character OF the country
I'm Porto Rico whore military opera
tlons must be conducted II is believed
that IL also can be used 20 advantage
there.
IL was announced yesterday at the
navy department that the long expected
report from Admiral Sampson upon the
destruction Of Cervera's fleet with the
accompanying reports OF the commo-
dore and captains OF his squadron had
reached the department. 1t is supposed
10 have been brought by Captain Sigs-
bee on the st. Paul. which arrived at
New York last Friday and TO have been
sent by mail by Captain Sigsbee. 1t Is
the intention OF the secretary of the
navy TO give these reports to the public
in their entirety.
Secretary Long has forwarded to Ad.
miral Dewey the joint resolution OF con.
gress extending the thanks of that
body for the victory achieved az Cavite
The resolution was beautifully engross.
ed and prefaced by formal attestatior
of its authenticity by Secretary of state
Day, the whole being inclosed in richly
ornamented Russia covers
IL Is to be remarked that Secretary
Long In his letter of transmittal make,
reference 20 a letter from the secretar,
of state cOmplimenting Admiral Dewe,
upon his direction Of affairs since thu
great naval victory a formal evidenc,
that the state department Is thorough,
we'll satisfied with the diplomatic quail
ties he has exhibited. The letter Of Sec
retary Long is as follows:
The department has received from
the secretary Of state an engrossed an,
certified copy OF a joint resolution O
congress rendering the thanks of con
gress TO you and the officers and mel
of the squadron under your command
for transmission TO you and herewith
inclOses the same. Accompanying tn
copy OF the joint resolution the depart
ment received a letter from the secre
tary OF state requesting that there b
conveyed TO you his high appreciation
OF your character as a naval officer an
OF the good judgment and prudence yo
have shown in directing affairs sine
the date Of your great achievement 4
destroying the Spanish fleet. This tax
great pleasure in doing and Join mos
heartily on behalf OF the navy depart
ment, as we'll as personally, in the com
mendation Of the secretary of state"