The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-13

washington, June lz-Unoer COM
mand of Major General Shafter. the
first division of the United States army
will sail tonight from Key West for
Santiago de Cuba to besiege and cap
ture that town. The army transports,
80 in number, left Port Tampa yester-
day and are now at Key West. The
conveying warships, believed to num-
ber 16 or 10. will be ready for the voy-
age by nightfall, and with this power
full force there is no longer reason for
apprehension that the transports can
be attacked successfully by any Span
ish warships, even II such should have
escaped the vigilant search of the naval
commanders at Key West and off Ha-
vana. 1t is believed here that the sally
out of Havana of the three Spanish
gunboats was intended to create the
impression that they were prepared to
attack the transports. If SO the plan
miscarried, for the craft were detected
by Commodore Watson's cruisers and
driven back pell nell into Havana har-
Dor under the protection OF the guns or
the shore batteries.
Even IL these boats had escaped they
could have done no damage. for the
size of the convoy furnished for the
troop ships is sufi1cient to warrant the
belief that they would have been speed
lily destroyed had they had the courage
to make an attack upon the fleet of
American ships. The Spanish boats are
not of formida BILE character. not one of
them being the equal in power of the
smallest American cruisers, or even
of such gunboats as the little Bancroft,
which may be used as General Skaters
flagship.
Every precaution has been taken by
the government to insure the safety
of the troops en- route to Cuba. The
naval war board was in session to-day
making the final preparations for the
disposition of the guardships. The
transports will be kept as closely to-
gether as safe navigation will permit,
and the warshps will be disposed
ahead. astern and on either flank. The
f1eetest scouting vessels will be thrown
far out in advance of the transports,
and to insure against an attack from
the rear, two vessels. such as the St.
Louis, perhaps. will linger far astern
ready to signal the heavily armed
cruisers at the first sign of an ap-
preaching foe. The stately battleship
Indiana. it is expected. will lead the
procession of ships. which will be the
most numerous gathered in American
waters since the civil war.
The trooDs should arrive off Santiago
by Wednesday night. supposing the
fleet proceeds at eight knots speed
and landing operations should begin by
Thursday, for General Shafter will not
keep his men cooped up on shipboard a
moment longer than is necessary. 1t is
not believed that they will be landed
at Caimanera. the point on Guanta-
namo bay. where the American flag
now flies over the heads of SIMPSONS
marines, as that place, while we'll
adapted to serve as a naval basis and
as a harbor OF refuge for the American
warships. is not particularly well suit
ed for the beginning of military opera
tions.
In 10 days time, unless Unforeseen OBJ
stacles are encountered. the movement
on Porto Rico will begin. The war de-
partment has been in close communi-
cation by telegraph with General Miles
at Tampa. and all of the necessary in
structions have been given to the COM
manding general for the preparation
OF the military force to be used in this
part of the campaign. General Miles,
in turn. has been consulting General
Coppinger and General Lee at Jack
sonville. giving the necessary detailed
instructions, and all In so near ready
that were some essential supplies on
hand the expedition could start within
"a hours.
The navy department has been ad-
vised of the purpose of the army and
the war board to-day was making arr
rangements for the supply Of the con-
voying fleet. This will be of a more
formidable character than that which
goes with the Santiago expedition. for
the plans contemplate a joint attack
upon the San Juan fortifications by the
army and navy. and the fortihcations
are so powerful that heavily armored
ships only can be sent against them
at the beginning. Therefore II is be-
lieved that Simpsons battleships will
head this feet.
Now that Sampson has taken up a
position ashore in Guantanamo bay. IL
IL expected at the navy department
that he win soon be in direct cable
communication with the department.
which win greatly facilitate the COM
bined operation Of the navy and army.
The cable which was cut just before
landing the marines was buoyed. and
as soon as cable operators and instru-
ments can be gotten over from Hayti,
the cable will be opened again.
Preparine for Resistance.
Madrid. June i2 p. m.-The following
dispatch has been received here from
Captain General Blancc: One American
cruiser and two gunboats are before Ha-
vana. two are before Mariel. one at Car