Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-01
AGAINST SANTIAGO.
That Is the Direction OF Present nili-
taFy Movement.
TO CAPTURE CITY And FLEET.
Or Else to Destroy Both the One
and the Other.
POSSIBLE PORTO RICO ATTACK.
Plenty Of Regulars and Seasoned YOIul-
teers 10 Garry Out Both Plans.
POSSIBLE PORTO RICO ATTACK.
FMLDOT ACTION NOW WITH ARMY
Authorities Realize That Battles
Cannot BE Fought in Advance on
Paper-Food Being Provided for
the Recoucentrados.

WASHINGTON, d. c., May a.-When
the Cabinet adjourned to-day IL was an
nounced that the subjects under discus
sion were not of vital interest, nor was
there anything of interest that could be
| given to the public. The best informa-
ton obtainable from other sources, how
ever, strongly indicates that the i'm
portant military movement now In pro-
| gress will be directed against Santiago
in corporation with the fleet under Com
modore Sohley and the allied insurgent
| forces. Our forces are expected TO
| speedily capture the city Of Santiago
and the fleet, or destroy both.
1t is also intimated from high sources
that the land expedition now embarking
at Key West may be divided. and one
| division sent 10 cooperate with Admiral
Sampson against Porto Rico.
! 1t is believed that the government now
! has a sufficient number of regulars and
seasoned volunteers to carry out both OF
| these plans to a successful issue. Troops
in sufficient numbers and capacity have
already been secured, and it is the opin-
ion of high officials that one or both of
these plans are now being carried into
execution.
General Miles. who left here last night
to take command of the military forces,
| is known to have the entire confidence
! Of the President, who, in the course Of
to-day's Cabinet meeting. said in effect
| that he had the utmost confidence in
| General Miles's ability as a soldier, and
| fully expected that he would prove en-
tirely worthy Of his trust.
Members of the administration are
agreed that the war from this time will
be prosecuted at all points with the ut
most vigor.
FOOD FOR ECONCENTRADOS.
The President has begun 10 prepare to
help the families Of the insurgents and
the reconcentrados who still drag out a
miserable existence in the interior. The
commissary- general Of the army has pre-
pared an estimate. OF 100000 for the
purchase OF sufficient supplies to feed
10000 reconoentrados for six months
For the time being 1t IL felt that the
real field Of action is removed from
Washington and is centred with the troops
now advancing under orders from here
and with our ships. The time of prepara-
ton has gone by, and il remains only for
the preparations 10 be carried into actual
effect.
There will continue to be much routine
detail in the maintenance Of the large
military and naval force but the exec
utiye functions are now in well-establish-
ed channels. The more vital features OF
the campaign itself have also been fully
established. To large extent the mill
tary and naval operations will be direct
ed from Washington, and yet, with Gem
eral Miles in the South, and Commodore |
schley and Admiral Sampson in Cuban |
waters. they will have most to do with |
the time and circumstances Of the attack. |
General Miles's forces have been given |
wide latitude, as the authorities here
fully appreciate that battles cannot be
fought in advance on paper.
MORE NEUTRALITY.
The consular reports issued to-day con-
tain some additional declarations of neu-
trality-from Brazil, Japan, British |
Guiana, st. Lucia, and Gibraltar. 1t is
noticeable that both Brazil and Japan
90 out Of the way Of the usual formal
preamble to express regret at the out
break Of hostilities between the United
States and Spain.
Bermuda modihes her original proclama-
tion Of April 29d. so as to make the rule
relative to supplying provisions, subsis-
tence, and coal to belligerent ships con-
form closely to the very severe English
rules on that subject.
The Japanese proclamation is rather re-
from the great exactness with
which 1t prescribes the rules that are to
govern japanese subjects in their dealings
with the belligerents, and the treatment
hat will be accorded belligerent ships.
This proclamation was evidently prepared
with great care, and may serve as a model
for the diplomats of all nations
NEW BATTLESHIPS.
The Board Of Naval Bureau chiefs Is
irving TO hasten the work OF construction
IF the battleships authorized by the pres
mt naval appropriation bill. The Illinois
vpe upon which the new vessels are TO
10 constructed. win occupy three years
n construction. After "a conference to-
Law. the bureau chiefs, presumably with
knowledge Of the constructive ability of
he American ship-yards capable Of under
aking this work, resolved to reduce the
ime allowed for building the new ships
O a maximum OF thirty-two months.
The Navy Department bought another
,acht to-day-the Inquirer-at New York,
or use in the auxiliary fleet. which is
er.ned the Mosquito fleet, under the
erms OF the recently y-enacted law on the
m nhiact.