Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-11
ARMY NOT YET OFF,
Il is Waiting for Absolutely Safe Con-
YOy to Cuba.
TRANSPORT SHIPS READY.
They Number Fifty and viii Make a
Formidable klrine Procession.
THE GUANTANAMO FIGHT.
Government Hears Of II, But is Silent
as 10 a Landing.
THE GUANTANAMO FIGHT.
SEIZURE or THE LADRoNEs
CHARLESTON May Take Possession of
n Hnrbor in Order 10 Coal the
Monitors-Prominent Young Ladies
Becomc Military Nurses.

WASHINGTON. June l0.--Out Of the
maze Of doubt and contradiction as TO the
dispatch Of the first army of invasion TO
cuba. one thing stands out clearly-name-
ly thar the government, feeling strong in
us present position and plan, is moving
cautiously and with the deliberation
which il believes will secure success unat-
tended with disaster. With this main
purpose In view, the army and navy are
cooperating toward the dispatch of the
troops, some $3.50 in number, under es-
cort OF a strong fleet of naval conveys,
made up Of sixteen warships. headed by
the battleShip Indiana. Unattended by
this strong fleet, the troops might have
Left last Friday. Since then, however,
reports have come as to the presence Of
spanish ships in the North Atlantic. Real
iang that nothing was TO be gained by
haste. and that the war was progressing
steadily toward success, it was deter
mined not 10 take one small chance OF
having our troops menaced by some scout
INK ship of the enemys fleet AS a re-
suit the troop transports have not pro-
ceeded 70 Cuba, either yesterday or the
day before, as was reported yesterday.
They are in readiness to go, but will not
move until the naval convoy is ready TO
accompany them, assuring safe conduct
from Florida to the point of destination.
Whether that will be to-day or to-mor-
row the War Department positively de-
clines 10 say.
INVASION NEWS WITHHELD.
The administration feels that the time
has come when it is of the utmost impor-
tance that the precise movements of this
invading feet should not be published in
this country. and thus heralded to the
enemy.
The completeness with which the
transportation OF troops has been plan
ned is shown in the official list Of trans
port vessels given out at the War De-
uartnant to-day. OF this list thirty-four
large steamers, varying from 4,lVO down
10 COO tons, are at Florida ports. ready TO
carry our troops 70 She point OF inva-
sion. There are some fifteen other craft
including vessels suitable for carrying
fresh water. stores etc, and for lighter
ing the troops and stores from the ships
10 the beach when the debarkation be-
gins. The entire transport fleet of about
fifty steamships, augmented by the fleet
Of naval conveys, sixteen in number, will
make a formidable marine procession,
exceeding in magnitude the notable
spectacle of the naval review during the
Worlds Fair year.
GUANTANAMO FIGHT.
The first official confirmation of the
eneagement at Guantanamo last Tues
day came to the Navy Department to-
day. and was made the subject of bull
letin. The terms in which the Admiral,
Sampson, described the affair tended
strongly TO confirm the tone that had
been given it in the official dispatches.
There was A notable failure on the
part Of the administration to mention
anything like a landing, although the
statement that the MaTblehead now
holds the lower bay by implication may |
carry with it the idea that her marines
are ashore.
Elderly naval officers who have been |
in Guantanamo bay describe IL as ad- !
mirably suited for the reception of |
transports, with plenty of water |
for the biggest OF the transports,
and enough for the smaller class
Of warships that might be used
10 convoy them. The locality is one that /
would make a good base for operations
against Santiago itself, should it be de-
..ded 70 attack the latter town by troops
rom the rear, instead OF by the war
ships.
THE LADRONE IDEA.
The statement coming from San Fran
cisco 10 the effect that the real object OF
Inc Charleston's voyage was the seizure
Jf the Spanish Ladrone Islands has small
Jdsis OF truth in it. When it was decided
10 send the monitors Monterey and Mon
idnock clear across the Pacific, from
Mare Island to Manila, IL was known that
Ids could be done without sending along
OILERS, because of the insufficient coal
upply Of the monitors 1t was not deemed
yraCticable TO tow the big irOnclads the
40 miles Of voyage that would have 10 0e
Idyersed by them, without coal, so 1t be-
ame necessary 10 find places in the Pa
lnc where they could replenish their
,unkers. a study of the charts showed |
hat there were several groups of islands
ying between Hawaii and the Philip
Iaes which might AFFORD harbor in
winch the colliers could lay alongside the
monitors and fiji up their coal-bunkers.
.he officials do not deem IL prudent to
ame the particular Islands chosen for
he purpose, but IL is obvious that being
AIRED By neutrality laws from the pos
ession OF neutral countries, the first re-
curse Of the Navy Department would be
y seize some Of the Spanish ISLANDS, such
IS the LadrOnes or the CarOlines. There '
ore. II is assumed that II the Charles q
Jn really goes TO one of the former
stands, il will be with the purpose OF Sc
urng in advance a suitable harbor for
he use Of the monitors.
TO BE NURSES. ,
A very substantial evidence OF self
acrifice for the sake OF their country is
acorded by the taking up OF military ]
I.rt Al Of EApPa- 4 Z