The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1898-06-04

Washington, June 1. - The military
invasion Of Cuba has begun. unless
the orders of the war department mis-
carry the troops that have been gath
cred at the gulf ports have broke
camp and boarded the transports
which have been waiting to carry
them to the enemy's territory. About
twenty-five of these ships, the biggest
and fastest that could be obtained
suitable suitable for the purpose had
been gathered ready to receive the
troops. They will accommodate about
10000 men, for in a short voyage like
that from one of the gulf ports to
Cuba it is possible with safety and
comfort to carry q much larger num-
Der Of men than would be admissible
in the case Of q cruise to the Philip
pines for instance. How many troops
started, where they took ship, where
they are bound for are questions
which the directing spirits Of the cam
paign refuse positively to answer.
They have no desire that the Spanish
should have opportunity afforded them
to gather forces to attack u soldiers
as they land. Therefore nothing of the
details Of this first movement can bs
learned. .
There IL a Suspicion
that the start will be made from
Tampa and Mobile, and it is probable
that in such case the fleets Of trans
ports will converge at Key West to
pass under the convoy Of the warships
which Admiral Sampson has provided
to insure the safety of the troops dur
ing the passage across the Florida
straits to insure them against attack at
tile hands of some stray Spanish cruis-
er or gunboat. 1t is probable that
there will be no less than four sepa-
rate military expeditions, and these
will be landed at four different points.
| Whether Puerto Rico is one of these
points cannot be learned. Before the
entire force which it is proposed to use
in Cuba can be landed, the transports
must make four separate voyages
across the straits. Arrangements have
been made to utilize the services of the
insurgents to the largest possible ex-
tent. The government already has
sent expeditions to q large number OF
points on the island and landed arms
for the insurgents. Most Of the par
ties succeeded perfectly in their OBJ
jects, and it was said at the war de-
partment that a sufficient number of
the
I~nsurxents Have Been Armed
to constitute a very effective support
for the troops as they land. A wal
conference was held in the White
House between the president and his
two war secretaries, Alger and Long,
and Maj. Gen. Miles, in command of
the army. Naturally those who par
ticipated in the conference observed
strict reticence regarding it. 1t was
stated, however, in an authoritative
quarter, that the discussion had COW
cred the entire range of naval and
military operations with particular
view to the active movements about to
begin. Gen. Miles brought with him
a memorandum showing the exact dis
position of the military forces now
concentrated at various points
throughout the country, with the num-
Der of men at Tampa and other South
ern points ready for e%mbarkation. He
also made known that Immediately
following the receipt Of definite infOr-
nation as to the presence of the
Spanish Fleet at Santiago
he had gone to the war department
and had issued Geographic orders put
ting the troops in motion and thus
starting the forward movement of the
military arm of the service. Further
than this those attending the confer
ence would not discuss their plans. 1t
was said at the war department that
chief reliance would be placed at the
outset on the United States regulars,
most of whom are centered in Florida,
and. in such volunteer regiments as
were thoroughly equipped and reas0n
ably well seasoned for service. AL
though the officials will not state how
many troops are available for active
service 1t is roughly estimated that
there are about 10000 regulars ano
1900 volunteers at Tampa.
Gen. Miles and his entire stan, with
the exception Of Gen. Gilmore, left for
the South last night. It was in antici-
patton Of this that the final plans were
gone over with the president in the az
ternoOn. Gen. Miles will not state
where his headquarters will be locat-
ed, and, indeed. it is possible he will
move from place to place, as circum-
stances may demand, Gen. iShafter
| will be in immediate command of the
forces now embarking, while. Gen..
Miles will have general. supervision Of
these and all other military move,
ments. \