Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-07-22
NOW FOR PORTO RICO.
Rail OF Santiago Clears the way-eam-
paign Will Be Pushed.

chapter in the land campaign of the
United States against Spain closed TO-
oay' when the Spanish colors gave
place over Santiago to the American
nag. Next will follow the transporta-
tlon OF the Spanish troops back to their
native land, and the capture of the
island of Porto Rico, unless peace soon
intervenes. The seige of Santiago last
ed two weeks, and was remarkable in
many respects, and in none more than
the heavy percentage of loss through
death, wounds or sickness, of the SOL
dlers and sailors engaged on both Sides
Looking back over the record of
these two weeks, it is seen that great
lronclad squadron has been DESTROYED;
that nearly 1000 Spanish sailors have
been drowned or killed by shell and
hame, and that an untold number of
Spanish soldiers have died in the
trenches of Santiago.
On the other hand, about $50 Ameri-
can soldiers have been killed, and in
round numbers 1900 more have been
sent to the hospitals from wounds,
fevers and other ailments. Our fleet
had remarkable exemption from dis
aster in the many engagements it had
with the forts at the entrance of the
harbor and with the Spanish squadron.
Next is Porto Rico, said Secretary
Alger, after receiving the news of San
tiago's formal surrender, "and then, if
need be, Havana
The secretary was in excellent spir.
its. He was more anxious than he
dared to show as to the condition of our
sick soldiers, and looked with appre.
hension upon the possibility OF a pro.
longation of the struggle in the un.
healthy valley of Santiago.
The secretary said that the Porto
Rican expedition would 60 forward i'm.
mediately. 1t will comprise new men
entirely. The warriors in the trenches
before Santiago have distinguished
themselves, and it is not deemed pru.
dent to bring them in unnecessary con-
tact with new troops, in view of the
danger of spreading contagion. The
sick soldiers will be nursed back to
health and brought to the United
States as soon as they can be safely re-
moved. Immune regiments will be
ordered to Santiago to garrison the
town, and two of these regiments are
already under orders to proceed.
The Porto Rican expedition will be
commanded by General Miles in per-
son, though General Brooke, now in
command at Camp Thomas, is expected
to be his main dependence. The size
of the expedition will depend upon
General Miles wishes, although it is
believed that $4,000 men will be suffi-
cient for the purpose. At San Juan
the navy will be of greater assistance
than at Santiago, owing to the possi-
bility Of approaching the town more
closely without risking contact with
mines. General Brooke is now on his
way to Washington, by direction of
Secretary Alger, so that he will be in a
position to make known his views
direct to the department. The expert
ence gained in dispatching Shafter' 8
expedition, it is expected, will aid the
officials in their determination to make
short work Of the Porto Rican afNir.
The territory surrendered to us Dy
General Toral makes about $4,000
square miles. Major Hopkins, the
military aid TO Secretary Alger, this
afternoon, had spread before him a
huge map Of CUBE, showing the sur
rendered zone turned over to the Amer
loan troops. The line begins at Accer-
aderos, about 8 miles west of Santiago
habror, and then runs north about 10
miles to Palma Soriano. Had the line
run due north it would have passed
west of Holguin, thus taking In the
Spanish garrison of that point. Evi.
IDENTIFY General Toral wished to avoid
the inclusion OF Holguin, so the line
turns abruptly TO the northwest oi
Palma, and then runs to the town oi
Del Casa on the northern coast. The
extreme length OF this surrendered tract
is about ITO miles. and the extreme
width about 80 miles. II is rugged,
mountainous country, with very few
towns of any size. Santiago, with its
fine harbor. is the main point. while
Guantanamo is second in importance.
The plan of the war department fol-
returning the surrendered army of Gen.
eral Toral to Spain will not necessitate
the use OF American vessels. 1t is the
purpose OF the department to ask fol-
proposals from all steamship COM
panies which desire TO compete for the
transporting Of the Spanish troops to
Spain, and the most advantageous bid
will be accepted.
The advices Of General Shafter state
that the number Of Spanish prisoners
will he between IL, 900 and 10, 600.