The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-18
Objected to Dividing Skaters Honors, but
Will Win His Laures at San Juan.
SIMPSONS Vessels Which Are Now Idle Will Be Hur-
ried Forward to Bombard the Farbor Fortfica-
tions and Open Way for the Army

WASHINGTON, July 17-An important
conference was held at the White House
tonight, the participants being, besides the
President, Secretary Long, Admiral Sicard
and Captain Mahan, of the war board Ad-
jutant General Corbin was present during a
part of the deliberations. The happy con-
clusion of the campaign against Santiago
affords the President and his advisers in
ifested to let the war rest for a moment
Even before the details of the Santiago
campaign have been cleared away, the ex-
pedtion against Porto Rico absorbs the at
tention of the President. He fully realizes
that war can be prosecuted to a speedy and
successful issue only by pressing the ad-
vantages already gained: and as one of the
officials expressed it tonight 1.-The Presi-
dent proposes to strike while the iron is
hot"
Arrangements for the Porto Rico expedi-
ton were under discussion by the President
and the war board tonight. 1t may be two
or three days before the details of the new
invasion are worked out, but 1t is probable
that before the end of the present week the
military forces of the expedition will have
effected a landing near San Juan. Prior to
the landing naval demonstration probably
will be made before the San Juan fortifica-
tions.
No definite decision has been reached yet
as to the strength and personnel of the land
forces to be sent to Porto Rico. For time
it was supposed that few, if any, of the
troops now under General Skaters COM
mand at Santiago would be sent to Porto
Rico, but it is known now that at least
part of Skaters command will be in the
new expedition. General Brooke, who is
scheduled to go to Porto Rico, desired to
take with him the troops which constitute
his corps at Chickamauga, but it has been
determined not to send that corps in its
entirety. 1t is believed by the War De-
needed.
1t is understood that General Miles, who
is to have general command of the opera
tions in Porto Rico, will not return to the
United States, but will proceed directly to
point near Sant Juan with such of the
military force as are to form a part of the
expedition against Porto Rico. These and
other details of the new expedition were
discussed by the President and his advisors
tonight General Miles is in constant COM
munication with the administration, and
much reliance is being placed on him in
the matter of the selection of the land
forces for the Porto Rican expedition.
perhaps longer time. will be required to
complete the turning over to the United
States forces of the arms and equipments
of the Spanish troops at Santiago. General
Shafter indicates in his latest dispatch to-
night that the disarmament is proceeding
probably as rapidly as possible, and that the
work will continue tomorrow
Direct communication with Santiago, via
Playa del Este and Hayti, has been estab-
lished, but it is likely, in the opinion of
General Greedy, the chief signal officer, that
even better communication will have been
established in a day or two.