The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-21


navy departments are now engaged in
making all of the arrangements for the
dispatch of the Porto Rican expedition
and Watsons eastern squadron. There
has occurred one of those natural
pauses in the progress of the campaign
incident to the completion of one set
of operations. There being no possi-
biity of the receipt of news of a great
battle or of a surrender. there was less
excitement and less evidence of nervous
strain than for weeks past.
General Miles expected departure
was again deferred The explanation
given was that there was difficulty ex-
perienced at Santiago in securing the
naval convoy for the expedition. 1t is
known, however in addition, that the
president himself has restrained Gener-
al Miles to the extent of urging him in
earnest terms not to commit the folly
of starting for Porto Rico without the
most complete preparation. The gov
ernment has profited by the lessons
taugh by the Santiago expedition. Aside
from the actual loss of life that might
be expected as the result of a badly
calculated start, 1t is realized that our
relations with some of the European
powers would be, in a small measure,
at least, impaired by the adverse moral
effect created by anything approach
ing a defeat for the American arms at
this stage of the war. Therefore, 1t is
certain that, so far as the department
can prevent it, General Miles forces
will not be short of food or of tents to
protect them from the tropical rains,
nor of the means of transportation that
were so deficient at the beginning of
the Santiago movement.
General Miles reported this afternoon
that he had with him 10 transports,
which, 1t is presumed, have aboard sew
eral thousand soldiers. although at least
two of them are filled with equipment.
The men aboard ship are suffering from
the delay, precisely as did the soldiers
who lay in Tampa bay before the de-
parture of the Shafter expedition. In
quiry made at the navy department to
ascertain where the delay had arisen
in securing conveys, was met with the
statement that the orders to Admiral
Sampson in this matter were very gen.
eral. He was simply directed by the
department to furnish a convoy, and it
with General Miles as to the number
and character of vessels required for
that purpose. AS the campaign from a
>rf. 1I.r
| land movement, the naval officers do
not believe a very extensive convoy Is
| necessary.
According to the calculations at the
| navy department. Admiral Dewey
| fleet at Cavite should now be rein
| forced by the coast defense vessel Mon
terey, which, with the collier Brutus
| has now been about 20 days out from
| Honolulu. With the addition of this
| fine and powerful monitor Dewey will
/ be amply able to take care of himself
as long as the naval forces in the Phil
| ippines maintain the relative proper
| tions they now occupy. However, the
disclosure by the state department oi
the lack of foundation for the sensa-
tional stories of strained relations witt
! Germany. has lagely abated the ankle
ty at the navy department as TO Dew
| ey's position at Manila.
| The war department was agreeably
| surprised at the number OF bids re-
ceived in answer to its proposals foi
transporting the Spaniards now at San
| tiago to Cadiz. The terms offered by
some of the companies were also re-
garded as very reasonable, and as II i:
desirable TO terminate the present con
| dition of affairs at Santiago at the ear
liest possible moment. il is expected th'
| award will be made Immediately. TIT
bid from the Spanish Steamship com
pany was a surprise to the department
| officials, and at least one OF then
thought that IL might be good policy fo
the government to avail Of its offer.
Dr. Greanleafs last report to Secre
tary Alger from the American camp
Santiago came this afternoon. and wa
to the effect that while the yellow feve
was widely spread among the troops.
was very mild in form. General Duf
field, who has been suffering from tn
disease was reported TO be improving
yesterday.
The open statement from the Cubsi
legation here to-day, made to the wa
department officials. that they were pre-
pared to accept as proper the progres
laid down by General Shafter for IN
government of affairs at Santiago, /
l nd Il hnnad instr