Evening star., 1898-06-15
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The President Will Have no Unnec es
sary Delay.
THE EXPEDITION TO PORTO RICO
1t May Not Wait for the Fall OF
Santiago.
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST

1t is said that if the capture of San
tiago proves to be a difficult affair
and is liable to occupy some weeks,
the expedition against Porto Rico
will not be delayed, but will start
independently OF the regular troops
at Santiago.
The President had a conference
with Secretary Day this morning,
presumably on the rumors OF Ger
man interference in the Philippine
affair.
The Senate passed bill providing
for the administration OF justice in
the army by summary court.
Admiral Sampson has reported
that he has been reinforced by
Cubans, and that affairs at Guanta-
namo are very satisfactory.
1t is denied at the War Depart
ment that 1900 troops have been
ordered to move at once.
The Navy Department holds that
the force of marines at Guantanamo
bay are not in any real danger, for
if threatened by an overwhelming
force they can retreat to the warships
and be safe.
The navy officials believe that the
military expedition to Cuba will sail
to the east instead of west, as indicat-
ed in the press dispatches.
1t in asserted on good authority today that
the President has given unmistakabIe in
structions that no unnecessary time be lost
In getting an expedition ready for Porto
Rico. He thinks that much experience in
these matters has now been gained by the
officials in Florida and that they should
profit by this in making future expeditions
ready.
Gen Miles and other army officers in
Florida now understand something of the
causes of delay and have it in their power
to remedy many defects made plain by the
work of getting Gen. Shafter off to San
tiago.
The Program to BE Followed,
The program, as gathered from admins
uation sources. is that a considerable army
will be Immediately concentrated at Sc
lected Florida points. The best-eauipped
regiments will be selected when everything
Is ready. They will be in condition to sail
at days notice. Every minute will be
utilized in getting these troops IN thorough
readiness.
The program suggested last week was
that the regular troops now on their way
TO Santiago would be used in the CAPTURE
or Santiago. which 1t was thought would
soon rail-, and that they would then be
sent against Porto Rico, their places at
Santiago to be taken by volunteers. 1t is
alleged this may have been altered. in view
of the outlook that the capture of San
tiago may by a matter of longer time than
at first supposed.
All the official information in the last
Few days Is that the Spaniards at San
tiago will put up a desperate resistance.
The advance on Santiago may be slow and
accompanied by bloody fighting If this
idea proves correct. the invasion of Porto
Rico will not be put off until the fall of
Santiago.
".
Troops and transports will be held in
readiness 10 be sent in any direction If
Admiral Sampson establishes cable connec-
tion on board one of his ships he and
General Shafter will send daily reports to
the President In this way it will be quick
ly apparent whether the assault on San
uago will be slowly or swiftly carried out.
II the work is going to require weeks of
time an independent expedition will be sent
. Porto Rico and reinforcements to Cen
eral Shafter.
If the outlook is for the speedy fall of
Santiago the second expedition will be di-
rected partly to Santiago and partly to
Porto Rico. 1t will go to Santiago and dis
embark portion Of the troops to take the
place OF the regulars, who will in turn be
put on the ships. making an expedition of
regulars and volunteers which will sweep
Porto Rico.
Slow Progress Mny BE Made.
The belief is expressed today that the
progress OF General Skaters army toward
Santiago will be slower than popularity sup
posed.
The army will be harassed by Spanish
guerillas from the moment it lands. Tha
Hanks will be peppered day and night, and
everything done to prevent the Americans
reaching point where the Spaniards will
beye to accept open and decisive battle.
Much faith is placed in the assistance Of
the CUbans under Garcia. They are ia
miliar with bushwhacking warfare and
ought to be able to give the Spaniards
many surprises. 1t is thought that Gen.
Garcia will be on hand with a soodIy por-
tion OF his forces when Uncle Sans troops
arrive The Cuban general will undoubted-
edly keep a strong force west of Santiago
to narass the Spaniards on that side and
to cut of their retreat. He can, however
furnish enough men to aid in preventing
brshwhacking,
Should the Indications be that Santiago
will be captured in a week. it is probable
that the invasion Of Porto Rico will be ac
cordingly delayed. but if a protracted AM
severe campaign is inevitable the expedi