The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-07-22
PORTO RICAN PLANS.
Gen. Niles to Get Landing Place
on the Island at Once.
As There L. No Spanish fleet the Navy Has
q Limited Field Of OPeEatIOn-Ths
Reduction Of HarboE FOrtIaea-
lions sampsOn's Work

Washington, July Cot is regarded
as certain BY the officers Of the war
department that Gen Miles and the
first contingent Of the Porto Rican ex-
petition are now en- route from San
tiagO to the point IN Porto Rico where
a landing is to be effected Secretary
Alger said yesterday evening that he
hoped and expected that Gen Miles,
with his forces from Cuba, would get
away at night. At eight o'clock last
night Gen. Miles was still in Cuban
waters, but, so far as the war officials
here are informed, the vanguard of
the Porto Rican expedition was finally
prepared to leave.
The war department. exchanged sew
eral cable messages with Gen. Miles
during the late afternoon and early
evening, regarding the details of the
expedition, but in none Of his dis
patches did the general indicate the
precise hour of his departure. The
impression conveyed is that he was
awaiting the naval vessels, which are
TO act as conveys
It is stated definitely that Gen.
Miles has no intention to await the ar
rival Of the several parts of the ex-
petition from the United States before
moving upon Porto Rico. It is, in
fact, his purpose with such troops as
he now has to break ground on the is
land for the forces that will arrive
later from this country. His landing
viii be effected, If necessary, under
the guns of the vessels Of the navy. It
is not anticipated that serious resist
ance viii be encountered, as the Span
ish force on the entire island is only
slightly larger than the force which
accompanies Gen Miles.
Arrangements for the departure Of
the troops from this country, which
are to comprise the greater part Of
the expedition, are being pressed with
the utmost vigOr- Difficulty is being
experienced in securing proper trans
ports, but that, in a measure, has been
overcome Within a day or two 10, 900
men, it is expected, will be afOat for
Porto Rico and the remainder Of the
expedition Will be sent forward as
rapidly as possible.
Admiral Sampson has received final
orders from the navy department as to
the part the American feet is to take
in the campaign against Porto Rico.
They are based on the view that the
campaign is ssentially an army move
ment, the duties Of the navy being to
lend every support and assistance to
the land operations. The admiral is
instructed to aid the army movements
by dispatching conveys when required
and by covering the landing Of troops.
As there is no Spanish feet in San
Juan harbOr or other Porto Rican
ports, the navy has limited field OF
operation. The reduction Of the har-
Dor Notifications Will be the main
work, but this and all other opera
tiOns of the fleet viii be supplement
tary to the main operations conducted
by the army. The strategists, military
and naval, are agreed in the view that
the taking of Porto Rico is primarily
a military undertaking, and Admiral
SIMPSONS orders are on these lines
The navy department is rapidly
moving the large fleet of auxiliary
craft, made up Of merchant ships,
large ocean-gOing yachts, tugs, etc,
from Atlantic coast points to Cuban
waters, where they will be placed on
blockade duty, thus releasing the
larger ships for more active duty at
Porto Rico and the coast Of Spain.
Three of these smaller craft were sent
south yesterday and most all Of them
viii be on the way within a week,
stopping only long enough at Norfolk
to have their batteries strengthened.
When the war broke out a large
number Of these auxiliary craft were
purchased. They have been distrib-
uted along the coast from Maine to
Florida, at some 20 or more points,
making an effective coast patrol
There is felt to be no further need Of
this patrol, so that, with the excep-
ton Of a few important points, the
auxiliary craft viii be withdrawn for
service in Cuba Capt Bartlett has
the work in charge and is rapidly hur-
rying It to completion