Evening journal., 1898-05-11
CUBA AND PUERTO RICO.
While Sampson Is Taking san Juan
schley VIII lombard Havana.

While Sampson Is Taking san Juan
schley VIII lombard Havana.
WASHINGTON. May 11.-Naval and
military operations against Puerto Rico
VIII begin simultaneously with those to
be directed against Cuba.
Free from danger OF attack by Span
ish men-of-war. tho division Of the
north Atlantic squadron under the
command of Rear Admiral Sampson
will devote itself TO the reduction OF the
defenses Of san Juan preliminary to the
Invasion OF the island by a military
force In anticipation of the early COM
pletion of the naval work, the war de-
partment is making preparations for
the prompt dispatch Of a large body OF
troops, which viii land under the fire
Of the guns OF the American men-of-
war and capture the city Of San Juan.
This feature Of the plan Of campaign
was adopted by the naval war board
and by the army and navy board before
Rear Admiral Sampson sailed from Key
West on Tuesday last At that time Il
was confidently expected that the Span
lsh fleet which left st. Vincent IL days
ago was bound for Puerto Rico. Rear
Admiral Sampson was directed 10 per
init the entry of the enemy into San
Juan, when he was to proceed with all
speed to that vicinity and bottle It up"
In that harbor. When this fleet had
been destroyed, the operations were to
be conducted against San Juan itself.
The withdrawal of the Spanish fleet
TO Cadiz leaves II out OF consideration
Tor the present, and San Juan viii now
be Rear Admiral SIMPSONS objective
He has not vet been advised OF the ar
rival of the Spanish fleet at Cadiz and
Is probably still expecting advices
showing that II Is en- route to Puerto
Rico The department. upon learning
that he Is I'm communication. win In.
form him by cable Of the whereabouts
OF the Spanish fleet and will direct him
TO operate against San Juan along the
lines already outlined
Such Instructions as may be neces-
sary viii be framed by the naval war
board. which was in session yesterday
carefully considering the new develop-
ments caused by the arrival of the
Spanish fleet at Cadiz. and It's effect
upon the American plan OF campaign
deduced by the board will be transmit
ted 20 Rear Admiral Sampson.
Rear Admiral Sampson has a formid-
able force under his command and win
be able TO easily reduce. il Is believed
the fortihcations OF the city which he
viii attack. Accompanying him are his
hagship' the armored cruiser New York.
the battleships Indiana and Iowa. the
monitors Terror and Amphitrite and the
cruisers Montgomery. Marhlehead ana
Detroit, besides some smaller vessels.
Plans have been perfected for stimuli
taneous operations against Havana nv
the naval and military forces of the
United States
Covering the landing Of the American
troops the men-of-war of the north At
lantic squadron mounting heavy ord
nance still in Cuban waters. re-enforc-
I'd probably by the flying squadron. will
lombard the fortihcations Of the Cuban
capital and will continue the lombard
ment during the army attack on the
rlty.
Appreciating that all OF the ships I'm
the division under the command OF Rear
Admiral Sampson will be required 10
reduce the fortihcations Of San Juan.
the authorities have practically deter
mined TO rely upon Commodore Schley's
command TO aid in effecting the capture
Of Havana
Consisting as II does of the battleship
Massachusetts,, the second class battle
ship Texas. the armored cruiser Brook
lyn and the protected cruisers New or.
leans and Minneapolis, the flying squad
ron will be able TO do effective work
against Havana's fortlhcatlons. espe-
cially as its work will be efficiently as.
sisted by the monitors Puritan and Mi.