The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-07-26
Simpsons Delay
Fingers MCKinleu
Wbv Miles Failed to Leave Siboney at lime
Specified-Sampson's Deliberate
Movements.

WaShingtOn, ID. e.. July Ill feSlueHl
Mckinley was thoroughly aroused over
the delay which occurred in the starting
of General Miles and the expedition
under his command for Porto Rico.
For several days General Miles ana
his troops were aboard their transports
at Playa del Este awaiting the naval
CONVOY which was to be furnished by
Admiral Sampson. The troops had been
sWeltpring i'll the crowded SHIPS ulutf
the broiling heat of a tropical sum- WINE
General Miles had been chaflnS under
what he believed to be ineXcuSable De
Law. and was bombarding the Nar De
partment with dispatches urging III the
strongest terms that the navy be hur-
ried III its preparations for the eApeul-
ton.
Instruction Of the most positive nature
had been cabled to Admiral Sampson to
supply the necessary conveys for Cen
eral Miles transports, but notWlthstand
ING these instructions Admiral Sampson
proceeded with his preparations Tor the
expedition with a deliberation that ex-
asperated the officials here.
The President. who has been giving
the Porto Rican expedition his personal
attention-as he has given indeed, all
phases of the war-tinally became deeply
concerned lest the part of the Porto
Rican expedition that has already sailed
from this country should arrive at the
point of redezvous in advance of Gen
eraL Miles and the navy. 1t is feared
that if General Wilson'S command.
which sailed yesterday from Charleston.
should arrive in advance OF General
Miles and the naval conveys serious
danger and possibly disaster might 70
suit. as General Wilson's ships are alb
s~olutely without protection.
Fully approaching these facts ana
realizing the necessity for prompt action
in getting General Miles and his Cuban,
expedition started President Mckinley
this morning issued personal orders
through the Secretary of the Navy to
Admiral Sampson that he should pro
coed Immediately to Porto Rlco with
General Miles. The Presidents orders
were susceptible of no misconstruction.
They were of the sort that will brook
no delay in their execution.
Concerning the naval conveys OF Gen
eral Miles expedition the Navy Depart
ment tonight made public the following
statement:
admiral Sampson telegraphed this a.
ternoon to the Secretary of the Navy
that there has been no delay in furnish
ing ample convoy to General Miles. \
day or two ago the Cincinnati and New
Orleans were both placed at his disposal
1.-THE Columbia and Yale carrying
troops are both powerfully armed says
the Admiral's telegram, land this is n
ample convoy for his expedition and t
effect his landing. The Annapolis, Wasl
and Lyden had been ordered from Nipe
the Gloucester also added. and the three
mnuitnrS ordered from Key West. TnIpl
these circumstances. there certainly ha.
been no lack of naval assistance. If Gen
eral Miles preferred to wait. the della!
was his own. However, in further an
swer to his request. the Massachusetts
and Dixie were also added this morning
and he has probably started"
This statement shows that Genera
Miles will be backed in effecting hi:
landing on Porto Rican soil by a strons
squadron of the navy. In addition to til,
vessels named in the statement. it is of
lcially admitted for the first time tina
the powerful monitors Terror. Amphi
trite and Puritan which have been a
Key West. are under riders to procee,
to Porto Rico to assist in the reduction
of the Spanish forces there.
1t is known also that still other YES
sells of Admiral Simpsons feet will par
%ticipate in the reduction of the fortified
tons of San Juan. This was indicate,
clearly by Secretary Longs statemen
this afternoon concerning the sailing O
Commodore WatsOn's Eastern Squadrol
to Spain. In the course of that state
ment the Secretary said the Easter
squadron would be ''sent to Spain later
when the Porto Rican campaign PEI
mits." 1t seems clear that some. at leas
of the vessels Will be employed in tn
commandment of the Notifications q
Porto Rico's principal city.