The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-24

expedition, in all probability, is now IN
the Mona Passage. between Hayti and
Porto Rico. and will be in sight of the
landing point in the morning. While
this is the expectation of Secretary AL
ger. for prudential reasons the war de-
partment declines to make any COM
ment as to the accuracy of the various
guesses that have been made in the ef-
fort to ascertain just what point has
been selected for the landing place.
There is likely to be a lapse of day
or two between the arrival of the ex-
pedltion and the notification of the fact
to the department, unless some mer-
chant vessel crossing to st. Thomas
should sight the American fleet. After
that, however. the department will be
in the closest communication with Cen
eral Miles, for 1t will possess itself of
cable connecting General Miles head
quarters directly with the department.
Some parts of the Porto Rico expedi-
ton have been delayed for few days
beyond the dates fixed for their de-
parture, but in view of the difficulties
of handing large bodies of men and the
supplies for them this is not surprising.
Thus, Schwan's troops got away only
to-day from Tampa. though 1t was be-
lleved they started yesterday, while the
most numerous detachment of the
whole expedition, the Ist division, un-
der General Brooke. will not be able to
clear from Newport News before Mon
day. Still, IL is believed that they will
arrive at Porto Rico in good season.
and it will certainly facilitate an order
ly and comfortable landing of the
troops TO have them land in detach-
ments instead OF in one vast army. as
in the case OF Skaters army at San
tiago.
Doubt is cast upon reports of recent
exciting events among the Cubans a.
or near Santiago, owing to the failure
of General Shafter to make any report
upon them, and, inasmuch as he has
made less important subjects mater
for dispatches. IL is hard to understand
why he should fail to mention an event
of such Importance as the reported at
tack by Garcia upon Spanish troops on
their way To surrender to Shafter
There was no health report received
from Shafter to-day. but so far from
being discouraging this is believed 10
indicate the continuance of the i'm
proved conditions reported yesterday
and the day before as to the health OF
the camp.
The war department is now. while
| keeping a close eye upon General Miles
expedition, looking with interest for
detailed reports from Shafter, telling
of the engagement preceding and lead
| ing up to the surrender of Santiago II
was reported to-day that Col. j. j. As
| tor of Skaters staff was due in WASH
| ington, bringing with him the full ca
pltulations. signed by the commission
| ers, and IL was expected that SHAFT
ers preceding reports would accom-
pany them. However, up to the close
| of the official hour the officer did not
appear and the department does not
| know where he is.
| Some of the papers have come from
Sampson, but TO the great disappoint-
ment of the navy department the re-
ports closed on the day before the IA
nous naval battle. Some points of in
| terest contained in them will be given
| to the public in the course OF a day or
| two. but they will relate only to the
| several fights between the squadron
| and the shore batteries.
1t is the purpose of the war DEPART
ment to begin at once the examination
| of the plans devised by Secretary Alger
for the creation of reserve camps and
| boards of staff officers are now en-
gagged in various localities looking after
| suitable camp sites and making pre-
liminary arrangements for acquiring
the right to use those places and ar
ranging for water supplies. The inten-
| tion is not to be caught through any
contingent with large numbers of troops
at central points in the midst OF an cpl
| demic OF any kind with no place TO re-
move them. 1t was for this reason that
Fernandina was selected some time
ago as one of these reserve camps and
| within the last two days the value of
| this policy has been amply justified, as
| otherwise there would have been no
| suitable place to remove the troops
| from Tampa. One of the reserve camps
| is likely TO be located in the valley of
| the Potomac about four miles above
| Washington, and will be very conven-
| lent for the reception Of troops from
! Camp Alger in case il is deemed neces-
| sary for the health Of the soldiers 10
remove them.
The state department to-day complet-
| ed the engrossment OF the joint resolu-
| ton adopted by congress. extending the
| thanks OF that branch Of the govern
| ment TO Admiral Dewey for his notable
achievements in the Philippines. These
were transmitted 10 the navy depart
admiral along with the degree of LII.
d. conferred on him by the University
OF Pennsylvania.