The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-01
LANDS IN CUBA.
CARRIES ARMS AND AMMUNITION TO
THE INSURGENTS.

over 400 Men and a Big Pack Train
in the Pnrty-Expedition Equipped
10 Make Il stubborn Fight on Its
own Account-Cnpt. j. A. DOrst the
Representative of the United
states Army-Pnrty Greeted by
1880 Armed Insurgents on land
ing.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Key West, May S1.-Over 400 men with
pack train and a large quantity Of arms
and ammunition, sailed for Cuba on the
Plant line steamer Florida on the night
Of May 81.
These men and the equipment oonstltut-
ed an expedition able to operate independ-
emily and to defend itself against any
body of Spanish troops which might OPP
pose 1t.
The expedition was under the command
of Col. Jos Lacrete. formerly insurgent
commander in Matanzas province He as
sumed the direction of affairs Immediately
on the landing Of the expedition, Until
then Gen. Joaquin Castillo was In control
In the landing of the expedition the
United States army was represent
ed by Capt J. A. Dorst and
Thomas Estrada Palma was represented
by ]. e. Cartaya, who has been the land
ing agent Of nearly every 1libusterlng ex-
petition for more than year
Messrs. Castillo, Cartaya and Dorst will
return to Key West.
Gen. Julio Sanguily, on the way to re-
port to Gen. Maxine Gomez, was also on
the boat
This is the most powerful anti-Spanish
expedition ever sent to Cuba. About 800
of the men are Cubans; the others are
Americans The engineer corps of the ex-
pedition Is composed entirely of Americans
under Aurelian Ladd.
The men were dressed in canvas uni
forms furnished by the United States gov
ernment, and the commissary department
had rations enough to last fifteen days
after the landing.
The pack train consisted of seventy-fve
mules and twenty-five horses. The expedi-
ton carried 1900 rifles and 100000 rounds
of ammunition for Gen. Calixlo Garcia.
The expedition Is composed of hardy
thing.
The expedition was conveyed by the
cruiser Marbiehead, the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Eagle and other warships.
Two younger brothers of the late Gen.
Nestor Aranguerren are with the expedi-
ton.
The expedition was landed on the coast
of Cuba on Thursday morning, May 26.
When the Florida, escorted by the Osce-
ola, drew up close to the shore at the
place selected for the landing, she sent
scouts TO see If all was clear. These scouts
were greeted by Gems. Feria and Rojas
with some i, 800 armed insurgents
Consequently far from there being any
hostile demonstration upon the part OF
the Spanards, the landing of the exped-
ton was In the nature Of a triumphal in
Vasion The Cubans, who were In waiting
for the party, had a brass band and vel
coined the newcomers with national airs.
The work OF unloading the cargo of the
Florida was promptly begun and carried
on by the 432 men composing the expedi-
ton. There was nothing in the nature OF
an interruption. The work was finished on
Friday.
While the cargo was being unloaded the
Osceola, an auxiliary gunboat, with her
guns ready for action, secuted about the
vicinity looking for an enemy, but the
Spaniards apparently had no suspicion OF
dangerous mission accomplished that while
some members Of the party were getting
the supplies ashore, others were providing
themselves with fruit, sugar and other
products of the landing place. a large
stock of which was brought back for Key
West friends.
Nevertheless, no precautionary measure
was neglected, and the moment the work
was concluded, the Florida and the Osce-
ola slipped away, leaving the insurgents
TO convoy their reinforcements into the
interior which 1t is confidently expected
was done without any casualty.
The returning members of the Florida
party brought with them several hundred
private letters, which, 1t is understood,
give a complete insight into The present
conditions prevailing in the biockaded
Island.
The local Cuban. colony Is elated over the
astonishing success Of the expedition.
At the Cuban landing place people
crowded about trying 10 exchange fruit
for clothes and shoes of which they stand
in great need When the Florida arrived at
Key West she had large Cuban flag
hanging over the railing Of her upper deck
and yellow flag flying.
The health officer delayed the landing of
Capt Dorst and Gen. Castillo and others
for several hours.
The expedition landed large quantity Of
bacon rs well as army rations.