The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-01
President Mckinley Urged to Take Posses
sion OF the Island Without Delay.
San Juan to Be Bombarded Again by Admiral Samp-
son, and General COppinger Probably
Made Military Governor.

by, and 1t remains only for preparations to
be carried into actual effect. A leading
naval official pointed to his desk, which was
clear of papers and documents and re-
marked that all the preparatory details were
now well along. and that SO far as the au-
thorities here were concerned they had only
to wait for the execution of the prepara-
tions heretofore matured. There will con-
tlnue to be much routine detail in the main
tenance of the large military and naval
force, but this is now in well-establshed
channels The more vital feature of the
campaign itself has been fully matured. To
certain extent the military and naval OPP
erations will be directed from washington,
and yet, with General Miles in the South
and Admiral Sampson and Commodore
Schley in Cuban waters. they will have
most to do with the time and circumstance
of attack. The commanders military and
naval, have been given wide latitude, as the
authorities here fully appreciate that bat
ties cannot be fought in advance on paper
All that has been attempted is to outline
campaign and make the fullest provision
Tor adequate forces, ample supplies and the
FULLEST cooperation between the navy and
army in the successful execution of the
plans The real blows are for the COM
manders to strike, and in the execution Of
this part Of the programme the authori-
ties here can take little part 1t is for this
reason that they regard themselves now
rather as spectators of what has or is about
to occur
The authoritative statements made yester-
day by General Miles and others that the
oroers for an advance on Cuba or Porto
Rico had been issued left no further doubt
nh
that the steamer Florida returned there this
morning after successfully landing a most
important expedition in Cuba was supple
mented by the information here that the
expedition was in command of General
Lacret, the well-known Cuban leader, who
has with him four hundred picked Cubans,
thoroughly armed and equipped by the
United States While there continues to be-
entire official reticence as to the exact
points to be invaded by United States troops
the consensus of opinion, drawn from the
most intelligent sources, is that the eastern
end of Cuba, constituting the province of
Santiago, with Santiago de Cuba as it's
capital, and Porto Rico, will be the objective
points. For this reason the situation in
Santiago and Porto Rico was thoroughly
canvassed at the Cabinet meeting to-day.
General Lee last night left Tampa for
Jacksonville on the eastern side of the
Florida peninsula to open headquarters
there But one inference can be drawn from
this movement, namely, that Jacksonville
is to be made base of operations against
Porto Rico. The town is admirably situated
for this purpose. In fact, it far surpasses
Key West a base for operations even
against any of the eastern points of Cuba
1t is the terminus of an excellent railroad
has steamer connections with New York.
is situated on a manageable river affording
a good harbor and is distant only / 200 miles
from San Juan in an air line.
There seems to be little doubt that the
plan of campaign contemplates the occupa-
tion of Porto Rico, and the President is
being strongly urged to begin the movement
even before any serious attempt is made
upon Havana His advisers po, / to what
they regard as the danger of attack on
Cuba. 1t might be possible, according to
their view, for the Spanish government to
assert that it accepts in full the demands OF
this governments ultimatum and is pre-
pared to withdraw it's troops from Cuba. In
such case the United States would be placed
in the disagreeable position before the world
of continuing operations against country
which holds out a flag of truce. The d.
lemma that would confront us in such a case
would be how to secure Porto Rico without
offending against international law, for il
can be safely accepted as the truth that the
administration is determined that Spanish
rule in the western hemisphere must cease
Now that General Miles has gone to the
front IL can be stated that for the last five
days he has held frequent conferences with
a prominent Porto Rcan, who is thoroughss.
conversant with the situation in that city
and able TO give exact information as to
the Spanish strength. defenses, etc. there.
AS to Santiago province, the situation was
explained to-day by an official well ac-
quainfed with the conditions there. He
pointed out that it is the easternmost point
of Cuba, and the one completely isolated
from General Blanco so far as railroad con-
nections are concerned. For that reason II
will be impossible for Blanco 10 hurry re-
inforcements to Santiago, and the Spanish
forces already there constitute all thas il is
possible to assemble for its defense. These
forces are under General Pando. with head
quarters at Holguin. about one hundred
miles northwest Of Santiago de Cuba. Pando
has force Of about five thousand troops
with him. and is strongly entrenched. Al
short railway connects him with the small
seaport OF Gibara. on the north coast. where
there are about one thousand Spanish troops.
But while Pando is strong al Holgun he il
harrassed by small Cuban bands at pointn
surrounding Holguin. Besides HoIeuin ana
Gibara Pando has small garrisons Of from
one 70 three Thousand men at Mayan. Tan