The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-26
PRESIDENTS
SECOND CALL
FOR TROOPS
This Time 1t Will be for $4,000
Men and Delaware's Quota
Is 1919.
FOR CUBA AND PORTO RICO
+ Schley Sends Word That He is
Maintaining a Blockade of
Santiago De Cuba.
The Advantages That Would Accrue
to the United States Should Porto
Rico be Captured--Belief Pre-
walls That Admiral Samp-
son Has Led Spanish
Fleet Into
Trap.
Special Dispatch to THE SUN.

WASHINGTON, May 25.-The President
today issued a second call for troops this
time for $4,000. Apportioned among the
states according to population Delawares
quota will be lo9 men.
Including this call, the army will now
consist of regulars $1,000, volunteers
100000 Ten regiments of immunes,
10000; three cowboy regiments, 5000;
engineers at large $500. Total 27s, 500.
The probable disposition of these
troops is for Cuba-100. 900 men; for the
Philippines $4,000 men; for Porto Rico,
10000; for home defense and emergen-
cies--l33, 800.
Now that Cervera's fleet has ceased to
be an important factor in the proposed
invasion of spain's West Indian posses
sions it is proposed to at once start ex-
petitions to both Cuba and Porto
Rico.
There is great lack OF unanimity. how
ever, in the War Department as to which
shall start first. Secretary Ager, it is
said, favors the carrying out of the origi-
nal intention of attacking Cuba, while
General Miles, commanding the army,
places more Importance uyon obtaining
possession Of Porto Rico and wants the
first expedition sent to that island.
One Of his best arguments is that
should Spain sue for peace, we could not
properly claim Porto Rico as an iudem-
nifty, while if we had possession of the
island it would be different.
Under the resolutions upon which the
war is based the United States could not
hold Cuba, for the declaration is made
that that island is to be free and inde-
pendent after stable government is es-
tabisled. Then he points out the SUI
perior climatic conditions of Porto Rico
over Cuba which make it less perilous
for our troops.
Of course, great deal will depend on
the disposition made of the Spanish
fleet. If that is destroyed at once by
attack there would be sufficient ships to
protect the landing of troops and their
bassibf supplies.
Nit is decided to starve them out, the
Blockade there would employ so many
sof the heavier vessels that with the other
ports, also they would have to be
guarded and the transportation of the
armies would be somewhat hazardous.
Then, too, another fleet of Spain is sup
posed to be on the way from Cadiz,
which would be q continual menace,
especially as the battleship Pelayo is
supposed to be one of the number.
So in spite of the cry Of "On to Porto
Rico'' it is not probable that an expedi-
tion will start at once for that island.
General Miles again announced that he
would start for Tampa, but before the
time arrived for departure, again post
poned the trip.
Advices tonight from schley, dated off
Santiago de Cuba, are to the effect that
he is maintaining a blockade Of the
port.
He believes Cervera's fleet is in the
harbor, but SO far has been unable to
verify the fact, as the inner harbor is
not visible from the sea. Still, the naval
sharps here think the fleet is bottled up |
there, though they would be relieved
by the receipt Of positive information to
that effect.
As to the plan of action to be pursued
regarding the destruction of the Spanish
vessels if they are entrapped in the har-
bor much depends ON the view Of Ad-
miral Sampson, and it is probable that
no order to attack it will be issued until
he has reported.