The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-17
Admiral Sampson to Use Some of His
Iron-CIads i'm Bombarding the
Forts in the Harbor.
WILSON'S PROPOSED RAID
PREPARATIONS FOR THE CRUISE TO
THE COAST OF SPAIN.
No Date Set for Departure of the
Leave Cuban Waters soon.

WASHINGTON, July 16.-The appearance
of General Brooke at the War Department
to-day gave token of the purpose of the
administration to begin Immediately prepa-
rations for the dispatcn of military ex-
pedition against Porto Rico The general
made what is regarded on the whole as a
satisfactory report as to the sanitary con-
ditons existing at Camp Thomas and
showed that the troops were in a condition
now to leave for Porto Rico if called on
1t is understood that two weeks time will
be required to assemble the transports, get
the troops and supplies aboard at one of
the most available seaports, which in this
case is likely to be Newport News owing
to the successful outcome of the last ex-
pedition from that port. and sail away for
Porto Rico.
1t is said that General Miles himself will
command the Porto Rican expedition, aided
by General Brooke. The latter probably
will make all the arrangements necessary
at Washington and at Chckamauga, as it
is not the present intention of General Miles
to return to Washington before leaving for
Porto Rico, though, of course there is al
ways the possibility that he will be sum-
moned here by the President for purposes
Of consultation. 1t is expected that the
campaign in Porto Rico will be short and
decisive. The troops will be landed at a
point near San Juan, with an ample supply
of field artillery to force their way directly
into tha rear of the town, while the fleet
will dash into the harbor and make the at
tack in front. Discouraged as the Span
iards are by the surrender at Santiago, 1t
is not expected that the. will offer protract-
ed resistance. 1t may be that when Gen
eral Brooke and soldiers leave Chickamauga
Park their places will be taken by some
of the troops now lying at Tampa. The
conditions at the latter place are not salts
factory from sanitary point of view, and
the troops, if not removed to Chickamauga
will probably be taken to Fernandina and
Charleston.
Secretary Alger and General Brooke were
in conference about an hour in the secre-
tarys private office. When the conference
closed, General Brooke excused himself
from all intervieWers. He left the building
in company with several swarthy-faced
gentlemen, said to be Porto Ricans, who
carried many large rolls, maps, etc. The
principal topic of discussion between Secre-
tary Alger and General Brooke, it was
learned later, was the sanitary condition of
the camp at Chickamauga. General Brooke
stated there were eighty cases of typhoid
fever in the camp when he left. This is not
regarded by the military surgeons as an ex-
ceptional number, as there are so 900 soldiers
in the camp, mostly green men. General
Brooke was firmly of the opinion that the
conditions were not such as to require any
change in the camp, and believed that con-
ditions at Chickamauga would improve
rather than deteriorate, as the men i'm
nr0 in boir Of lixyir
itary conditions improved.
Though Secretary Alger and General
Brooke declined to make any statement re-
quarters there are evidences that indicate
activity in direction of preparation for a
prompt forward movement. For instance,
steps are being taken to ascertain and de-
termine to the entire satisfaction of the
War Department officials the most avail
able points on the Atlantic and gulf coasts
from which to embark large numbers of
men. Major General Wilson, now at
Charleston with brigade of soldiers, has
expressed the opinion that that place of
fers the best harbor facilities for embarka-
ton between there and New Orleans. The
depth of the water at low tide is slightly
over twenty feet, while at Savannah it is
about seventeen and at Fernandina Fla
the captains of the vessels say they cannot
get into the harbor General Wilson has
dispatched an officer to Newport News to
look into the question of shipping facilities
harbor, camp grounds and water supply at
that place, which seems to indicate that
the department is considering the question
of sending some troops there for embarka-
tion.
Commander Brownson, Of the auxiliary
cruiser Yankee, was in conference with Sec
retary Long to-day, arranging for the trip
of this ship with the large cargo Of ammu-
milton for Commodore Watsons squadron
in it's attack on the coast of Spain. The
Yankee is at Norfolk and will sail to-Inor-
row for Santiago. She will reach there
about next Tuesday, and the big stock of
ammunition will then be placed aboard the
battle ships and cruisers. This transfer
ence of powder and shells is delicate OPP
eration requiring time, and it is probable
that the week will be well along before this
and the recoaling of the Yankee will permit
the squadron to actually get under way for
Spain.
Owing to the important mission of Com
modore Watson's squadron, and it's possi-
biity of long absence from an American
port, every magazine on the ships will be
full when the ships sail. Admiral Sampson
recently made requisition for the ammuni-
tion supplies, as these had run low as a re-
suit Of the engagement with the Cervera |
squadron and the frequent shelling of SAINT
iago. One load already has been taken |
down on supply ship, and the Yankee now
fills up the full quota. Each battle ship |
will have about 200 tons of powder with |
fifty TO seventy OF the largest twelve-inch
mr. thirtaan-inoh shaIIG accordfn0 ~ the at~a |
Of the big guns; seventy to eighty eight