The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-08
START FOR CUBA.
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probable that it will not be delayed
more than a week after the departure
of the Santiago party. There is some
probability that Major General Lee
will go with this party, although it is
the assertion of his friends that he
would prefer to wait until the Havana
invasion. In the war department it
is answered to this that the forces that
go to Puerto Rico now may be called on
later to go to Cuba, and the places of
the invaders of Puerto Rico taken by
newer men needing the additional prac-
tice of garrison and guard duty.
The reduction of Havana is still in the
distance, but the occupation of Santiago
and Puerto Rico will, it is believed by
the administration, prepare for such a
crushing descent upon Havana after
Puerto Rico is in the possession of the
United States and the best of the troops
are free to operate about Havana, that
General BlancO will be compelled to see
the futility of opposing, unless he de-
sireS to sacrifice some of the troops that
will otherwise be sent back to Spain to
tell the story of their defeat and the
evacuation of Cuba.
Washington, June S.-Secretary AIger
this morning positively declined to say
whether or not the United States troops
had sailed yet from Tampa for Cuba
He holds that Notwithstanding the bot
Ting up of the Spanish squadron in
Z
hcient reasons why every precaution
should be adopted to prevent the Span
1sh from obtaining information of the
departure OF our troops, and the
strength of the expedition. He was
good deal annoyed at the attempt of
some Of the newspapers to indicate the
very point selected for landing the
troops and siege guns in the neighbor-
hood of Santiago. If it were true mat
the department had selected a place
where there is strong wharf upon
which the vessels may discharge the
heavy siege train directly the publica
ton of that fact if authenticated
might very naturally lead the Spaniards
to destroy that particular wharf and
of the troops.
Careful inquiry at other places in the
war department where information as
TO the movement of troops might nat
uraiIy be expected, developed the fact
Inat no word had yet come of the de-
parture of a military expedition from
Tampa AS the troops are under or
ders to go to sea just as soon as they
direction from the department. it is
deemed probable that they Will get
off some time during the day and
notice to that effect will be the next
word received at the department.
The bulletin made public by the de-
partment last night in confirmation of
the press reports of the attacks upon
Santiago last Monday is believed to be
"A
SIMPSONS telegram, which it is sur
missed contained a good deal more in
formation than it was deemed prudent
to make public. OF course to protect
the naval cipher the matter published
was paraphraSe and it was said at
the department this morning that the
term used in the bulletin ''sflenced the
works quickly without injury at any
time" was based upon a statement in
the original dispatch broad enough to
indicate that the ships had sustained
no injuries and that there had been no
casualties among the personnel of the
American fleet.
Naval officers today expressed a be
lief that about all the force landed
Monday was marines and that their
purpose was not so much to take mill
tary possession of the island as per-
haps to spike some guns and destroy
some batteries. One object of Admiral
SIMPSONS attack which has esca ped
general observation though exceedingly
important was pointed out at the navy
department. This was to prevent the
Spaniards from making a successful at
tempt to remove the obstruction of
the channel caused by the wreck of the
Merrimac. Having silenced the forts
at the entrance of the harbor, which
while effective obliged the American
fleet to lie many miles out at sea to
keep out of range of their guns, Samp-
son will now be able to place one or
more of his ships close to the mouth
of the bottle, where it will lie in COM
parative safety and yet be able to
command easily with it's guns, the
wreck of the Merrimac.
Washington, June S.-The route to be
taken by the Cuban invading expedi-
ton is to be the north channel and
around Cape NMaisi. A rate of speed
of a about ten knots will be maintained,
if possible. The expedition should ar
rive off Santiago Sunday, but unfore-
seen delays may make the arrival Mon
day.
Gen. Shafter has moved his head
quarters on board one of the war YES
sells. The plan is to have the fleet of
troop-ships start from Key West to-
morrow evening under convoy for San
tiago de Cuba