The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-21
DEPARTURE AGAIN DEFERRED
Delay in Securing Convoys-Bid From
Spanish Steamship Company.

Delay in Securing Convoys-Bid From
Spanish Steamship Company.
Washington d. c., July 2O.-The War
and Navy Departments are now engaged
i'm making all Of the arrangements for
the dispatch of the, Porto Rican expedi-
tion aud Watson's Eastern squadron.
General Miles expected departure was
again deferred. The explanation given
was that there was difficulty experienced
at Santiago in securing the naval con
voy for the expedition. 1t is known.
however. in addition that the President
himself has restrained General Miles to
the extent Of adiuring him in earnest
terms not to commit the folly of starting
for Porto Rico without the most COM
plefe preparation. The government has
profltted by the lessons taught by the
Santiago expedition. Aside from the
ctnal loss of life that might be expected
to result from n badly calculated start
1t is realized that our relations with
some of the European powers would be
impaired in a small measure at least by
the adverse moral effect created by
anything approaching defeat for the
American arms mt this stage Of the war.
Therefore it is certain that so far as
the Department can prevent it General
Miles soldiers will not run short of
food. nor tents to protect them from the
tropical rains, nor Of the means of trans
portation that were so deficient ut the
beginning of the Santiago movement
General Miles reported this afternoon
that he had with him transports, which
it is presumed have aboard several thou
sand soldiers. although ut least two of
them are filled with equipment The
men aboard ship are suffering from de-
lay precisely as did the soldiers who lay
in Tampa Bay, before the departure of
the Shafter expedition. Inquiry made
at the Navy Department to ascertain
where the delay had arisen in securing
conveys was met with the statement
that the orders to Admiral Sampson
III this matter were very general. He
was simply directed by the Department
to furnish a convoy, and it was as
sumed that he would confer with Gen
eral Miles as to the number and charac-
ter Of vessels required for that purpose
As the campaign from a naval point of
view is to be principally a land move
ment the naval officers do not believe
a very extensive convoy is necessary.
According to the calculations at the
Navy Department Admiral Dewey's
fleet Mt Cavite should now be rein
forced by the coast defense vessel Mon
terey which. with her tender and col
lier. the Brutus. has now been about 20
days out from Honolulu. With the adj
dition Of this fine and powerful monitor,
Dewey will be amply able to take care
Of himself so long as the naval forces
in the Philippines are maintaining the
relative proportion they now occupy.
However. the disclosure by the State
Department of the lack of foundation for
the sensational stories of strained re-
lations with Germany, has largely abated
the anxiety entertained at the Navy De-
partment, as to Dewey's position at
Manila.
The War Department was agreeably
surprised ut the number of bids receiv
ed today in answer to its proposals for
Transporting the Spaniards now at San
tiago to Cadiz. The terms offered by
some of the companies were also regard
ed as very reasonable. and as it is de-
sirable to terminate the present CON
dition of affairs at Santiago at the earl
lest possible moment, it is expected that
the award will be made Immediately.
The bid from a Spanish steamship com
pany was Il surprise to the Department
officials. and at least one of them thought
| that it might be good policy for the gov
eminent to avail of this offer
DR. Greenleaf's last report to Sec