The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-29

.~.ly % Mead Invasion Of Csba
go. yolunteers Were Ready.
org YORK, May ss.-A special 70 the
-. frau Washington says. Though
- au been devoid Of definite devei-
N.-..,s O. a military nature. IL has been
- hy a strengthening Of the convic-
=, .sw general, that Porto Rico. ana
r,,ha 1, 10 be the frs. object Of inva-
sv TIE combined land and naval
-. a. tas United States. The admins
.son Is not making Its plans known nor
:. var department taking the public
:. es confidence, but there are other
- tn which coming events make their
:, Known, even In war times.
arnlaoant Indication OF the attitude
n. military army Of the government
Ind the Porto R.czn invasion Is af-
.,sss hy the earnestness with which high
Of Gen Miles staff urge the
~sure. The commanding general OF the
nv "a no. taking for publication. cut II
understood that the members OF his
us who asclare unrsseryedly In favor OF
nEpz Porto Rico without delay reflect
views on that subject.
ss. announcement that Gen. Niles may
I've Washington in a day or two on
sr q Inspection OF the army camps In
ss ssssh is regarded az confirmatory OF
h. understanding that there is TO be no
hvsslon OF Cuba at once. Ii has been
Af,u for granted that Gen. Miles will so
csba with the army. II the invasion Is
n gu: of and Porto Rico taken instead,
h present tour Of Inspection Is easily
gained.
ns s.ronges. argument used for the at
Is On Porto Rico now Is that ii is the
uss, thing the army can do just at
sn do. The decision was reached long
tat not less than 5o.ooo. preferably
n Een will be needed for the FIRST
NJ that Is sent 20 Cuba. Not more
nn 900 men are now in shape for a
kHEa campaign. These are the regulars
h rest OF the volunteer army is un-
|nssd and equipped. and 1, may be
spsd. once for all. that II Is not going
\ Nnt to Cuba until IL Is fully equip
y and to some extent, at leass, instruct
b sad Injured 10 the practices of war.
via the e. 200 men already at Tampa
b urged Porto Rico could be taken and
ssdgtd while the rest % the army Is
ry put In shape at Chickamausa and
ks osAss camps. Then when al has been
hsss ready for the grand move on Cuba,
he regulars could boz withdrawn from
Porto Rico ana used TO lead the army
ksainst Blaneo. There does not seem 10
y. II is pointed out. anything 10 prevent
be promp, execution OF the plans. since
b. troops. the supplies and the trans
ats are all at Tampa and all. accord
eg TO the reports received here. are ready
move on short notice.
TIE fact tia, Ger. Shafter has been au-
Aerined to send Il portion OF his command
Tampa 10 Jacksonville. so as TO make
asn more comfortable in camp. IS taken
IRE 70 Indicate that there IL no intention
ssai them 10 Cuba at once. IL Gen.
batter Knew lha, his entire force would
called on to 80 to Cuba next week or
u wsvk following it is urged that he
pad not 80 to the trouble OF having
nsn break camp and move over 10 jack
ssslle.
he plan. as Il Ia construed here. Is for
sss SAat'sr 10 send tho least available
bis volunteers 20 Jacksonville. while
k.Asg the regulars and the pick of the
~ troops 10 the number OF 1900 or 1900
sssg fer the expedition 20 Porto Rico.
~ suggestion made 70 account for Ad
ga sampson's last appearance in the
xSasaEAeod Of the old Bahama chan
=. taas lie Is acqgsiuting himself with
sa's about 70 be taken by the ships that
% carry The expedition TO Porto Rico
~ aseessayily TO San Juan, for It is
sSs thaa gusHed that the landing in
'sss Rico Will be at sone point where
sasSy ard artillery, aud. perhaps, cav
NJ ca. Re put cn shore 10 attack the
sHsasss 81 San Juan IL the rear. So
~-'a attention Is being sIven 10 the
~e SeAa occupation by the military
~aaF''ss TIA, Is IS assumed by officers
- re array ana navy plans have gone
We sane ground When The moment,
A'aeG arrives II may - expected that
'"ssaa w!il be outside TIE harbor pre-
70 attack the batteries he has al
tested, while the land forces are
ZIG The ability 81 Spanish troope 10 de-
~ Ne lana positions.