The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-27
MUST Be SURE
OF PORTO RICO.
NO BLUNDERS OR OVER
SIGHTS TO BE MADE
THIS TIME.

Washington, July 20.-The war and
navy departments are now engaged in
making all of The arrangements for the
dispatch of the Porto Rican expedition
aud Wssson's Eassern squadron.
Gea. Miles's expected departure was
again deferred The explau alton given
was that there was difficulty expert.
epced at Santiago 10 securing the naval
convey for the expedition. 1t is known
however, 10 addition, that the President
himself mas restrained Gen. Miles to
the extent of adjuriog him in earnest
terms not to commit the folly of start.
ing for Porto Rico without the most
complete preparation. The Govern
meo, has pro6ted by the lessons taught
By the Santiago expedition. Aside
from ,be actual loss of life that might
be expected to result from q badly
calculated start, it is realized that our
relations with some OF the European
Powers would be impaired, in small
measure at Least. by the adverse moral
effect created by anything approaching
defeat for the American arms at this
stage Of the war Therefore, it is Ger.
tain that, SO far as the department
oao prevent il, Gen. Miles's soldiers
will not ruu shors Of food. cor tents to
protect them from the tropical rains,
nor Of the means of transportation that
we're so deficient at the beginning of
the Santiago movement.
WAITING ON SAMPSON.
Washington. July 2o.--secretary
Alger said tonight that he expected
Gen Miles, one brigade Of Infantry
and some artillery would leave Cuba
Immediately. under convoy Of strong
naval squadron, for the Invasion of
Porto Rico He expressed the hope
and belief that the troops were already
en- route to Porto Rico. Most of them
had been ou board transports for seve-
raj days, and the situation vas becom-
ing trying for them.
Secretary Alger said there had been
DO delay in the embarkation of the
troops, and that SO far as the war de-
partmeu. AID Gen. Miles we're con-
cerned the expedition had been in
readiness for several days. Orders
we're sent to-day to Admiral Sampson
to start at. orce With bis aeet for the
landing place 10 Porto Rico which has
been determined upoo by the war au
thori.ies
No information could be obtained at
the var department tonight as to
whether the feet had actually sailed.
GEN. MILES'S REPORT.
Gen. Miles reported this afternoon
that be had with hin: ten transports,
which. it is presumed. have aboard sew
eral thousand soldiers. although at least
two CT them are filled with equipment
The men aboard ship are suffering from
delay precisely as did the soldiers who
lay in Tampa Bay before the departure
of the Shaf'er expedition. Irquiry
made at the navy department to asces-
tain where the delay had arisen 10 se.
curing conveys was met With the state
ment that the orders to Admiral Samp
500 in this matter we're very general
He was simply directed by the depart
mept to furnish convoy. and it was
assumed that be would confer with Ger
Miles as to the number and character
Of the vessels required for that purpose
AS tbe campaign from naval point ol
view is to be principally land move
ment, the naval officers Dc not believe
a very extensive convoy is necessary.
SITUATION AT MANILA.
According to the calculations at the
oavy department Admiral Dewey's aee'
at Cavite should now be reinforced BY
the coas: defence vessel Monterey,
which, with her tender and collier. the
Brutus, has now been about twenty
days out from Honolulu With tbs
addition Of this foe and powerful mon
itor Dewey will be able amply to take
care of himself so long as the nava
forces 10 the Philippines are maiotain'
ing the relative proportion they nov
occupy. However the disclosure by
the State department of the lack O.
foundation for sensational stories o.
strained relations with Germany bat
largely abased the anxiety entertained
at the navy department as to Dewey
position at Manila.
YELLOW FEVER REPORT.
Dr. Greeoleaf's laat report to Secre'
tar7 Alger from the American army a
Santiago came this afternoon, and was
to the effect that while the yellow fever
was widely spread among the troops
it was of very mild type. Gen. Due
field, who bas been suffering from the
disease, was reported to be improving
Yesterday