The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-31
TROOPS AT GULF
PORTS TO BE THE
FIRST LANDED

The Department and General Miles Discuss The
Entire Range tf Naval and Military Opera
TORS. The Certainty Of the Boiling Of the
Spanish Fleet put ihe Troops in Motion.
Chief Reliance al the Outset viii be Placed
on the United States Regulars, Most Of
Whom are Cgntered in Florida, and in Such
Volunteer Regiments as are thoroughly
Equipped. About 35, 1000 Men are Ready
to Embark. The Department Careful moi
10 Reveal Any Information as TO Plans Tor
Fear of Putting Spaniards on Their Guard.
Washington, ID. c., May 30.-The
military invasion of Cuba has begun
Unless the orders Of the war department
miscarried. at an early hour this morn
ing the troops that have been gathered
at the Gulf ports began to break camp
and march aboard transports waiting TO
carry them to the enemy's territory.
About twenty-five Of these ships, the
biggest and fastest that could be obtain
ed suitable for the purpose, had been
gathered ready to receive the troops.
They viii accommodate about 10000
men, for in a short voyage like that from
the Gulf ports to Cuba it is possible with
safety and comfort to carry Il much larg-
or number Of men aboard ship than
would be admissible III the ciises OF a
cruise to the Philippines for instance.
How many troops started this morning;
where they took ships; where they are
bound are questions which directing
spirits Of the campaign refuse positively
TO say. They have no desire that the
Spanish should have opportunity af-
forded them to gather forces TO attack
our soldiers as they land. Therefore
nothing OF the details of this first move
ment can be learned. There is a suspi-
cion that the start will be made from
Tampa and Mobile, and it is probable
that in such case the fleets of transports
will converge at Key West TO pass under
the conveys Of the warships which Ad
miral Sampson has provided to insure
them against attack at the hands OF
some stray Spanish cruiser or gunboat.
Tt is probable that there viii be NJ
less than four expeditions and that thes.
will be landed at four different points.
Before the entire force which it is pro
posed TO use in Cuba can be landed, the
transports must make four voyages
across the straits.
Arrangements have been made to uti
lize the service of the insurgents to Tho
greatest possible extent. The government
already mas sent expeditions to a larg'
number Of points on the island and land
ed arms for the insurgents. Most Of thu
parties succeeded perfectly in their oh
ject. and it was said at the war depart
ment today that a sufficient number o
the insurgents have been armed to con
stitute very effective support for tn
troops, as they land.
war conference was held mt tht
white house at 3 O'clock this Afternoon
between tie president and his two wa
secretaries. Alger and Long. and Maio
General Miles in command of the army
wee President Hobart, who accom-
panied the president to Arlington anC
returned with him to lunch, was presenf
part of the time, and Secretary Dav
VINO mas gust returned to Washington
also dropped in during the conference
After the entire situation, naval onf
military had been gone over. Secrota -
Long retired and Secretary AIger anI
General Miles remained to discuss Nor,
in detail the military operations nav
about to be pnt into execution as a reenI
Of the definite official information tba
the Spanish squadron is securely hel,
within Santiago harbor. Naturally thos,
who participated in the conference oh
served strict reticence regarding il. I
was stated, however. in an anthoritatiy
quarter that the discussion had covere
the entire range of naval and militar
operations, with particular view to TN
active movements about to begin. Gen
eral Miles brought with him a memol