Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-27
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
But Little Reference to War Plans at
the Cabinet Meeting.
One INVASION TO Be MADE At A TIME
SchIey Capable of Keeping Ger
vera's Fleet at Santiago.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

Cabinet members, after the cabinet ses-
sion today, said that they have no doubt
that Cervera is in Santiago harbor and that
SchIey is on the outside watching vigilantly
FOR any evidence that the willy Spaniard is
preparing to attempt an escape This TN
shaken belief Is not based on the receipt of
any fresh Information. Before the cabinet
me- ane at its close Secretary Long said
that he had heard nothing from Commodore
Schley That's what We are waiting for"
said another official
Notwithstanding the confidence that Ger
vera is penned the President will not move
to carry out any of the plans made yester-
day. fully outlined in The Star, until he
knows beyond the remotcst doubt that Ger
vera is in Santiago.
The cabinet meetings have ceased to BE-
councils of war, 50 far as talking over
plans for invasion. etc go. These are left
entirely to the portions of the government
which must execute the orders of The men
who do the planning.
Invasion of Porto Rico.
A cabinet officer said this afternoon that
the merest reference was made to the inva-
sion Of Cuba and Porso Rico during the
cabinet session. This refercnc, was rot
sufficient to give an i.ea uf the intentions
of the President. This same Official. hcw-
ever, is individually in favor OF the invasion
and capture Of Por.o Rico first, and he is
believed to have given his views to the
President.
Among those best qualified to know, the
suggestion of Simultaneous invasion CT
Cuba and Porto Rico within short time is
considered riduu,ou;; If there is to be any
thing like an immed'ate invasion, as IS be-
hevsd to be the intention, one country will
be selected at tine. 1t is said thai to at
tempt an invasion Of bo.h Al once would be
to postpone the work for wo or three
months. 1t is well known that the vClun-
teer troops n service lack nearly
everything of being equipped. 1t is esti-
mated that about 25,pU men, most of them
regulars, are fully equipped with guns. am
munition. tents and supplies; fer immediate
work anywhere. Tie remainder cf the
army now in the field Is deficient even in
shoes When all :hess things viii be pro-
vidsd for the entire army IS a matter of
conjecture. The departure Of Gen. Miles
for the souta is simply to be an inspection
tour. which will eni IN report to the
President of how the troops stand ana what
has been provided them.
Cervera's Fleet.
With Cervera supposed to be securely
shut up, much doubt is injected into the
advisability of invading even one island
until his feet is under the water. When
troops are sent across the water to Spanish
territory they will be protected by at least
half the navy. To attempt two invasions
at once would be TO divide the navy in such
a way that a fleet and transports would be
at the mercy of any new squadron SAINT
from Spain.
This danger would be greatly reduced, 1t
is said. by attempting the invasion Of
Porto Rico first. Schley will be fully ca
pable of keeping Cervera in Santiago or
whipping him if he comes outside, and
Sampson take enough vessels to Porto
Rico to insure the rarsports against sec
ond Spanish squadron. This. then, is be-
Heved to b. the program just so soon as
news comes from Schey. Sufficient troops
are equipped for Porto Rico and the work
OF taking the small island would be a mat
ter of few days 1t is believed in many
quarters today that Sampson will be
his way to Porto Rico tomorrow, and that
he will stay there until he reduces all the
fortiications, permitting the easy landing
OF troops.
The invasion of Porto Rico now will fur
nsh action, which the President is deter
mined to have, and it will make Spain all
the more ready to accept the terms of
peace which will be thrust upon her by
Europe. The President knows this and Is
Of the opinion that the war will be greatly
shortened by active work on Spanish ter
ritcry. For long time he thought that
the destruction of Cervera's fleet would
bring peace, but Cervera has not been de-
stroyed, and is out of harms way.
1t is said this afternoon that the govern
ment has no fear that any Of its plans for
the invasion of Porto Rico will be interfer-
ed with by Europe. Secretary Day assures
the President that everything is quiet in
the diplomatic field, with no indications CT
the slightest trouble. All the European
countries are said to be behaving them
selves.
Today's Callers.
A large party of knights Templar Of
Mary Commau udery Of Philadelphia were in
troduced to President Mckinley today by
Senator Penrose. The. knights were ac-
companied by ladies' The party has been
attending the state conclave at Harrisburg
The quota of Minnesota under the second
call for troops will be LOO men, The peo-
pie of the state are wiring their representa-
tives here that everybody wants to go.
Senator Davis today offered the President
three regiments instead of the 1,7OO men
asked for.
Senators Wetmore,- Aldrich and Hanna
and Representatives Grosvenor and Mann
talked with the President on business to-
day.