Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-21
MILES AND WATSON
Now Occupy the Attention Of the
Officials at the National
Capital.
GENERAL ORDERED TO GO SLOWLY,

Consequently 1t Seems That He Is Still at
Santiago-Delay Caused by the Deter
mination to Have the Pofo Rico Forces
Completely Equipped in All That the
Phrase Implies. and Not Half or Less
Supplied-MiIes Has His Soldiers En-
barked and Ready to Start,
Washington, July 21.-fhe war and
navy departments are now making all
the arrangements for the dispatch OF
the Porto Rican expedition and Wat
sens eastern squadron. There has oc-
CURED one of those natural pausas in
the progress of the campaign incident to
the completion of one set Of operations
and the initiation of another. There be-
ing no possibility of the receipt of news
less excitement and less evidence ofner-
vCus strain than for weeks past Gen.
eral Miles expected departure was
again deferred. The explanation given
was that there was difficulty expe-
rienced at Santiago in securing the ma
val convoy for the expedition. It is
known. however in addition that the
president himself has restrained Cen
eral Miles to the extent of adjuring him
In earnest terms not 10 commit the folly
Of starting for Porto Rico without the
most complete preparation.
Will BE Nothing Lacking This Time.
The government has prcfited by the
nrrh+ nv hn
ton. Aside from the actual loss of life
that might be expected to result from
badly calculated start 1t is realized
that our relations With some of the
European powers would be in a small
measure, at least. impaired by the ad-
verse moral effect created by ANYTHING
approaching defeat for the American
arms at this stage Of the war. There
fore it is certain that, 50 far as the
department can prevent, General Miles
soldiers vii, not run short of food, nor
of tents to protect them from the trop-
ical rains, nor of the means of transpor-
tation, that were so deficient at the be-
ginning of the Santiago movement.
Delayed for Want of q Convoy.
General Miles reported yesterday aft
ports. wtish it is presumed have aboard
several thousand soldiers although ar
least two of them are flied with equfr-
ment. Inquiry made at the navy de-
partnent 10 ascertain where the delay
had arisen in securing conveys was met
with the statement that the orders to
Admiral Sampson in this matter were
very gsRsaal. He was simply directed
by the department to furnish Il convoy,
and it was assumed that he would con-
fer with General Miles as to the num-
Der and character of vessels required
for that purpose. As the campaign is
to be principally a land movement the
naval officers do not believe a very ex-
tensive convoy is necessary.
Monterey Probably nj Manila.
According TO the calculations at the
navy department Admiral Dewey's
fleet at CGvite should now be rein
forced by the coast defense vessel Mon
terey, which with her tender and collier
the Brutus has now been about twenty
days out from Honolulu. With the addi-
tion of this monitor Dewey will be am
Ply able to take care of himself so long
as the naval forces in the Philippines are
maintaining the relative proportion
they now occupy. The disclosure by the
state department of the lack of founda =
| ton for the sensational stories OF
strained relations with Germany has
largely abated the anxiety entertained
| at the navy department as to Dewey S
| position at Manila.