The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-14
Landing Will Probably Be Made on Friday--Admira|
Sampson Takes Measures TO Secure Direct
Communication With Washington.

washington, June 1.-THE FIRST army
Of invasion IL well ON its way to Cuba. 30
transports bearing over $1,000 officers
and men, conveyed by battleships. cruis-
ers, gunboats and auxiliary craft. l6 In
number, having actually sailed from
Key West. An authoritative statement
to this effect was made at the war de-
partment yesterday. The authorities
made the announcement for the cas-
that the time for secrecy was now past.
as the scout boats had made sure that
the path was clear and that no possible
menace could come to the expedition
from Spanish ships or troops. With the
expedition off. the officials here feel that
there will be comparative inaction for
q few days.
BY Thursday al the least the ships will
be OF Santiago. and an American army
Will land on Cuban soil. Admiral Samp-
SOL has cleared the way for this under
taking, and little danger Is apprehended
In getting ashore. 1t viii be after that.
when the advance Is made, that the
dramatic developments may be expected.
BY that time II Is likely the American
commanders will be in cable communi-
cation with the authorities here. Ad-
mirai Sampson has taken the shore end
of the cable landing at Guantanamo, and
cable experts are rapidly restoring the
line to working order. 1t will end the
dearth of official information concerning
important movements, and will enable
the authorities to keep in close touch
with those executing the strategic move
ments.
The grand total OF the expedition Is
773 officers and 1864 enlisted men.
General Shafter In his report indicates
the great obstacles that had to be over
come in order to embark his force at
Fort Tampa, and 1t is not likely, IL his
recommendation carries weight, that the
Effort will be made to again embark SO
large a number OF troops from that port
without considerably charging the ship
ping facilities. BY far the larger por-
ton of the expedition Is made up of in
fantry, although an unusually large
number OF artillery is included, while
the cavalry Is almost altogether lacking.
1t is expected, however, that the dis
mounted cavalry with the expedition will
be mounted later on In Cuba from the
stock Of native horses, or from mounts
that will follow from this country. Ow-
ing to the mountainous and jungle-like
character of the country back of Santi-
ago where the troops must operate, there
will be little opportunity for the use of
cavalry. so that the expedition has not
been weakened by Withholding the
cavalry mounts at the beginning of the
campaign.
The troops win arrive of Santiago
Thursday morning at the latest barring
storms or accidents, and the landing
probably will take place on the after
noon of that day, or the Friday follow
ing. as Admiral Sampson is extremely
anxious to reinforce the marines ashore
at Guantanamo bay. The position of
these men is not entirely satisfactory to
the officials here. While no advices
have yet reached the navy department
OF the attack made on the marine force
by the Spanish guerillas Saturday night.
there Is no Disposition to question the
accuracy of the press reports. 1t can
not be sale that the attack caused sur
prise, but II was plain thai 1t indicated
to the officials ugly possibilities. 1t is
apparent for n thing that regular or
CARNATIONS Of troops fighting according
to established methods are destined to
meet with severe loss at the hands of
irregular bodies such as the Spanish
guerrilas, who are conducting some
thing like Indian warfare In the jungles.
One of the most annoying features at
tending this style OF warfare is the worry
imposed upon the soldiers. for a few COM
panies Of irresulars can keep in a state
OF unrest and excitement a large body
OF regular troops. Behind earthworks
there will be little reason for complaint
on this source. and II is probable that our
troops In operating In Cuba will be
obliged to resort frequently to this means
OF defense.
Captain Taylor OF the Indiana Is In
command OF the naval fleet which ac-
companies the transport ships. The
makeup Of the convoy feet is still with
held. Besides the Indiana, one other
battleship and hrst-class cruiser ac-
company the feet. The other ships are
lesser cruisers. gunboats and auxiliary
craft. Five Of the naval ships Of the
fleet first went to Port Tampa. Will. IL
remained OF Key West. When the FIVE
warships and the 80 transports reached
Key West a junction was made with the
ii warships at that point. and the COM
bined fleets started together. Naval
oficfais speak OF II rs a magnificent
marine proceevion. The transports
stretched out for several miles. The
warsh1ps proper. headed by the Indiana.
stretched at least three-quarters of a
mile.
BY a fortunate coincidence the naval
ambulance ship solace arrived on San
tiago Sunday. and was available at once
90 take the wounded marines who par
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