The San Francisco call., 1898-05-21
WILL TIE ENEMY
 RUN OR GIVE BATTLE 2
Continued From First Page.

ewhich are of great interest to them, in view of the fact that the insurgents have considerable force in the rear of Santiago. They assert that It will be useless for the Spanish admiral to at tempt to land provisions and supplies for Blanco's aid, as there IS no railroad communication between Santiago and Havana, and an overland trip would oc- cupy from six weeks to two months.
 The Cuban insurgents have had no difficulty in controlling operations in this territory, and Gomez's marauding band would like nothing better than a chance to capture supplies intended for the relief of Havana The only thing Cervera can do, the Junta believes, IS to establish a base of operations at San tiago and keep in tuoch with the couriers which the Spanish Government has undoubtedly dispatched to several ports in the West Indies.
 It is regarded as extremely doubtful that the Spanish fleet will await the ar rival of Sampson's squadron at San tiago
 If a battle occurs within a few days it is likely to be fought in the Yucatan channel or in the neighbor- hood of Havana.
 While the Spanish fleet is known to be in Cuban waters, there will be no in vasion of the island by American troops until 1t has been disposed of. This does not mean that the projected expe dition has been abandoned, but merely that the administration does not think 1t wise to land large force at a time when 1t may be necessary to withdraw from it the support of Sampson's fleet in order to attack Spanish vessels else where
 The report that General Miles favors postponing the invasion until October cannot be officially verified and is de- nied by his closest friends. The propo- sition Is not entertained at the White House
 After the Cabinet meeting to-day Secretary Long said he expected to hear nothing for several days.
 ''So completely has the Spanish strat- egy board covered up the evolutions of the Spanish ships of war;" said he, that it is difficult even to hazard a guess as to the date of the next engage ment"
 'Wil1 there be any engagement at all?"
 ''I cannot say," he replied "Of course we will try to force battle, but we must catch our Spaniard before we do anything to him"
 The Cabinet discussed the matter of the Philippine expedition and decided to send as many troops as may be re- quired.
 Major General Merritt arrived here this morning and was an early caller at the War Department. He was accom- panied by his aids de camp, Lieutenants T. B. Mott and Harry C. Hale.
 General Merritt is en route to San Francisco, and only stopped over to complete preparations for the Philippine expedition. He spent most of the morning at the War Department in con- sultation with Secretary Alger and Ad- jutant General Corbin The Philippine question was considered at great length in almost every possible phrase. Gen eral Merritt was asked if he had com pleted arrangements and replied "Yes, in a measure 1 have seen the Secretary of War and the President"
 "Will you return to New York before leaving for San Francisco?"
 No; when left New York I start ed for the Philippines, and only stopped at Washington at the request of the President and Secretary of War. l will leave Washington for San Fran cisco tomorrow morning. 1 may stop in Chicago for day"
 General Merritt was asked if he ex- pected to get a sufficient force of men for the expedition and said: T expect to get what 1 have asked for"
 How many regulars do you expect?'
 About 5000"
 What will be the probable size of the entire expedition?"
 AnyWne1e l1Oln IO,OOO 10 I/,OOo men or whereabouts"
 Among the members of General Mer- ritt's staff already selected by him are: Colonel J. B. Babcock, adjutant gen. eral; Lieutenant Colonel J. w. Pope. quartermaster; Colonel R. P Hughes. inspector general; Captain Mott and Captain Hale and Colonel Porter of the Engineers.