Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-04
ARMY WILL MOVE SOON.
The Campaign in Cuba to be Forced
by Land and Sea from This
Time On.

New York. May "a special to the
World from Tampa, Fla, says: a rumor
is in circulation here to the effect that
5000 troops and as many Cubans as the
Cuban junta can gather here, will leave
Tuesday night for Matanzas for the first
invasion of Cuba.
The World correspondent informant
says that an army officer told him that he
had seen an orGer from the secretary of
war ordering the troops to move Tuesday
night, Matanzas being their objective
point. Transports are expected Tuesday.
1t is known that of the thirty days ra-
tons given out a few days ago none is be
ing used and the regimental officers have
received word to have their commands
ready to move at a moments notice.
1t is known that the batteries have been
served with 300 rounds each and all sol
diers have full cartridge belts.
Gen. A. w. Greedy, chief signal officer,
is expected here today.
An attempt was made last night to
blow up the powder magazine of Knight
& Wall. This magazine contains q large
store of powder, giant powder and dyna-
mite
1t is believed to have been the work of
agents of the Spanish government now
at work in this city.
Ready for Action.
Washington, D. c., May 2.-When
| asked if the army was preparing for an
| invasion of Cuba at an early date, Sec
rotary Of War Alger replied: eve are
preparing for immediate action and we
try to keep so prepared, but plans made
| today may of necessity have to be
changed tomorrow, and that is why we
are compelled to keep such absolute 81
lence, for every detail that becomes
nj Oh
The President has decided that there
shall be five army corps of three divisions
! each. While this feature of the organ
ization may be changed there is no likeli
hood of it, since it has the sanction of the
military authorities.
This will give the President an oppDr-
tunity to appoint major-generals, five in
command of army corps, one of which,
Gen. Dodge has declined, and fifteen in
command of divisions. Each division
will be composed of three brigades which
will make commissions for forty-fve brig
adiers. Each brigade will be composed
of three regiments.
On Board the Associated Press Dis
| patch Boat Dauntless, via Key West,
Fla, May "A demonstration by the
fleet off the coast of Cuba is hardly eX-
pected today. but it is understood a move
ment has been planned. bowling gale is
| now blowing and the sea is running high.
Comma nders Confer.
There was a long conference on board
| the flagship New York yesterday between
Rear-A dmiral Sampson, Capt. Evans OF
the Iowa, Capt. Taylor of the Indiana.
and Capt Chadwick of the Nnw York,
the purpose of which could not be ascer-
tanned.
Early yesterday morning the New York
steamed to the westward, past Havana,
which was in plain view from the vessel.
and picked up the Indiana and the Iowa.
taking the commanders of both ships
aboard.
Tugs were then sent out, calling in al
| the other vessels of the fleet in that Vi.
vinity, and at noon the following ships
| were lying off the batteries west Of Ha.
vana and within eight miles of the shore:
| The flagship New York the battleships
Iowa and Indiana, the cruisers Detroit and
| Marblehead, the gunbOats Castine, May.
| flower, Hornet and MangrOve and the
| tugs Osceola, Wampatock and Tecumseh
| There were also four newspaper dis.
| patch boats in close proximity, all the yes.
sells being within y radius of 100 yards.
and plainly visible from the shore
Concerted Movement Expected.
There was every Indication that con-
| certed movement of some kind was in
| contempla ton, and those on the flagship,
who We're ignorant Of the object of the
conference, confidently expected that the
| recent bOmbardment of the Spanish bat
| teries at Matanzas and the firing upon
troop Of Spanish cavalry at Cabanas
! were to be repeated upon the more for.
| midable batteries near Havana.
The weather conditions, however were
| anything but favorable for an attack, for
| forty-knOt gale was blowing and the
| waves were tremendous. Even the big
| battleships were unsteady, the smaller
vessels being tossed about like shells.
| with every wave.
But after the ships had remained in
this position for several hours, it became
| evident that no immediate movement was
! contemplated. The flagship finally drew
away from the others and steamed slowly
past Moro castle without incident. The
remainder of the fleet then opened out
and returned to their various stations
along the coast.
| News of the engagement between the
United States and Spanish fleets off Ma.
Mia had not yet reached the Cuban
blockading squadron, but they will prob,
ably will be advised of it this morning by
| vessels which left here during last nirhf