The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-13
WASHINGTON, D. c.,

B&A Major General Shafter, the
S first division OF the United
S States army will sail to-
night from Key West for
Santiago DC Cuba to beslege and cap
,u.e tAat town. The army transports,
thirty IN number. let, Port Tampa yes
,.rday and are now at Key West. The
Conveying warships, believed TO number
between sixteen and nineteen, will be
ready for the voyage by nlghtfall, and
with this powerful force there Is no lon-
&c, reason for apprehension that the
Transports can be attacked successfully
BY any Spanish warships, even II such
should have escaped the vlEilant search
d. the naval commanders at Key West
and of Havana. It is believed here
that the sally out OF Havana of the
three Spanish gunboats was intended
tocreate the impression that they were
prepared to go out TO attack the trans
por;S II so, the plan miscarried. for
tie craft were detected Immediately by
Commodore Watson's cruisers and
driven back pell nell into Havana har-
bos under the protection OF the guns OF
lie shore batteries. Even X these boats
I'D escaped they could have done no
damage for the size OF the conveys fur
rsheifo: the troop ships Is sufficient to
warrant the belief that they would have
hea speedily destroyed should they
have had the courage 10 make on at
tack upon the fleet of American ships.
The Spanish gunboats are not OF for
nItable character, not one Of them be-
ing che equal in rower OF the smallest
VI he American cruisers or even OF
iBch gunboats as the little Bancroft,
which mar. be used as General Shat
tsr's flagship.
Safety ar Troop, Assured.
Every precaution has been taken by
tie government to ensure the safety of
TIE troops en- route to Cuba. The naval
war board was In session to-day, maxi
Ing the final preparations for the dIspo-
sitlon OF the guardships. The trans
l0rts will be kept as closely together
as safe navigation will permit and the
warships will be disposed ahead. astern
and on either flank. The fleetest scout
lag vessels will be thrown far out In
advance OF the transports. and In or
der to ensure against an attack from
tie rear some OF these vessels, such as
tie ST. Louis perhaps will linger far
astern ready to signal the heavily arm
ed cruisers at the first sign OF an ap-
,loaching foe. The stately battleship
Indiana, It is expected. will lead the
procession OF ships which will be the
most numerous gathered in American
waters since the civil wnr. The troops
thould arrive Off Santiago by Wednes-
dsr night supposing the feet proceeds
st eight knots speed. and landing oper-
atoms should begin by Thursday, for
General Shafter will not keep his men
eooped up on shIpboard moment Ion
ser than necessary. II IS not believed
they will be landed at Caimanera, the
point on Guantanamo bay, where the
American flag now flies over the heads
Of SIMPSONS marines. While that
place is adapted to serve naval base
aid as harbor Of refuge for the
american varships, is not particularly
we'll suited for the beginning Of military
operetions.
Movemont on Porto Rico.
In ten days time, unless Unforeseen
are encountered. the move
uent upon Porto Rico will begin, the
Ser department has been in close cam-
nuaicat!on BY telegraph with General
Niles at Tampa, and all Of the neces-
iary instructions have been given 10
Il. commanding general for the prepar-
alton OF the military forces to be used
Ia this part OF the campaign.
General Miles in turn has been con-
tut!ng Generals Copplnger and Lee at
Jacksonville. giving the necessary de-
tailed instructions. and an Is so near
ready that were some. essential supplies
on hand the expedition could start with
In twcnty-four hours. The navy depart
n.nt has been advised that the army
ard the war board to-day was making
arrangements for the supply OF the
conyoying neet This viii be OF more
formidable character than that which
goes with the Santiago expedition, for
The plans contemplated joint attack
uton the San Juan sortifcattons by the
army and navy and these fortiilcations
are 60 powerful that heavily armored
ihipo only can be sent against them at
the beginning. Therefore. It Is believed
nat enmpson's battleshIps will head
th's feet.
Now that Sampson has taken up
position ashore In Guantanamo bay, II
u expected at the navy department that
ne VIII soon be 10 direct cable commu-
n!eat!on with the department, which
WIZ greatly facilitate the combined op-
fHa'ion OF the navy and army. The ca
pe which he cut just after landing the
marines was buoyed and as soon as ca
ols operators and Instruments can be
souen over from Haiti the cable will
oe opened again.