Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-06-02
THE INVADING FORCE
1t Is Now on It's Way to the Cuban
Coast.
ITS DESTINATION KEPT SECRET.
The Insurgents Ready 10 Render Aid
A EUr,I0n OF il.e EOrce May
Le SEMI 10 POrLO
Rico.

Washington, May 31.-Ihe military
invasion OF Luba has begun Al an
early hour lNesuay morning the
troops thar nave Deen gathered at the
Gulf ports began to break camp and
pareh WOoard transports waiting to
carry them to the enemy's territory,
.AlIout twenty-five OF these ships,
The biggest aud fastest that could be
obtained suitable for the purpose, had
been gathered ready to receive the
troops. They will accommodate about
10000 men, for, in short voyage like
that from one of the Gulf ports to
Cuba, 1t is possible with safety and
comfort to carry much larger mum
her of men aboard ship than would
he admissible in the case OF cruise
to the Philippines for instance.
How many troops started; where
they took ships; whittier they are
Bound are questions which the DID,
rectng spirits Of the campaign re-
fuse positively to answer. They have
no desire that the Spanish should
have opportunity afforded them to
gather forces to attack our soldiers
as they land. Therefore, nothing OF
the details of this first movement can
be learned,
There is a suspicion that the start
will be made from Tampa and Mobile,
and 1t is probable that, in such case,
the fleets of transports will converge
Mt Key West to pass under the convoy
of the warships which Admiral Samp-
son has provided to insure the safety
of the troops during the passage
across the Florida straits to insure
them against attack at the hands OF
some stray Spanish cruiser or gun
boat.
1t is probable that there will be no
fewer than four separate military ex-
peditions, and that these will be land
ed at four different points. Whether
Porto Rico Is one OF these points or
not cannot be learned.
Before the entire force which 1t Is
proposed to use in Cuba can be land
ed, the transports must make four
separate voyages across the straits.
Arrangements have been made to
utilize the services OF the insurgents
to the largest possible extent, The
government already has sent eNpedi-
tions to large number OF points on
the island and landed arms for the
insurgents. Most Of the parties sue
ceeded perfectly in their object, and
IL was said at the war department to-
day that sufficient number Of the
insurgents have been armed TO con-
stitute a very effective support for
the troops as they land,
A war conference was held at the
White House at 3 o'clock yesterday
afternoon between the president and
his two war secretaries Alger and
Long, and Major General Miles, in
command of the army. Vice Presl-
dent Hobart, who accompanied the
president to Arlington and returned
with him to lunch, was present part
of the time, and Secretary Day, who
had just returned to Washington, al
so dropped in during the conference.
After the entire situation, naval
and military, had been gone over,
Secretary Long retired and Secretary
Alger and General Miles remained to
discuss more In detail the military
operations now about to be put into
eXecutionas resultof the dehnite Of
fetal information that the Spanish
squadron Is securely held within SAM
tiago harbor.
Naturally those who participated
In the conference observed strict re-
thence regarding It, 1t was stated,
however In an authoritative quarter,
tb@t the discussion had covered the
entire range OF naval and military
operations, with particular view to
the active movements about to begin.
General Miles brought with him
memorandum showing the exact dis
position OF the military forces now
concentrated at various points
throughout the country, with the
number OF men at Tampa and other
Southern points ready for embarka-
tion.
He also made known that immedi-
ately following the receipt OF def
mite information OF the presence OF
the Spanish feet at Santiago, he had
gone to the war department and had
issued telegrophlc orders putting the
troops In motion and thus starting
The forward movement OF the military
arm OF the service, Further than this,
those attending the conference would
mot discuss their plans.
II was said al the war department
chat chief reliance would be placed at
The outset on the United States regu-
lars, most OF whom are centered In
Florida, and In such volunteer regi-
ments as are thoroughly equipped and
reasonably well seasoned for service.
Although the officials will not state
how many troops are available for
active service, II is roughly estimated
that there IRE about 10000 regulars
and 10000 volunteers at TAMPA.
These include seventeen regiments OF