The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-13
.SIEANNG IO santiago
Conveys and Troop Ships
Leave Key West.
WILL ARRIVE WEDNESDAY.
Landing Operations to Begin
Thursday.
PORTO RICO THE NEXT POINT
Expedition to San Juan to Start In
Ten Days.
PORTO RICO THE NEXT POINT

Washington, June 12.-Under command
of Mai. Gen shafter, the first division OF
the United States army viii sail tonight
from Key West for Santiago dc Cuba to
besiege and capture that town.
The army transports, thirty in number.
left Port Tampa yesterday and are now
at Key West.
The conveying warshlps, believed to
number between sixteen and nineteen. will
be ready for the voyage by nightfall and
with this powerful force there is no longer
reason for apprehension that the trans
ports can be attacked successfully by any
Spanish warships, even II such should have
escaped the vigilant search of the naval
commanders at Key West and off Havana.
1t is believed here that the sally out OF
Havana of the three Spanish gunboats was
intended to create the impression that they
were prepared to go out TO attack tho
transports.
IL so. the plan miscarried for the craft
were detected Immediately by Commodore
Watson's cruisers, and driven back pell
nell into Havana harbor under the pro-
lection of the guns Of the shore batteries.
Even IL these boats had escaped they
could have done no damage, for the size
of the convoy furnished for the troop ships
is sufficient to warrant the belief that
they would have been speedily destroyed
should they have had the courage to make
an attack upon the fleet of American ships.
The Spanish gunboats are not of formida-
Bile character, not one of them being the
equal in power of the smallest of tho
American cruisers, or even of such gum
boats as the little Bancroft, which may
be used as Gen. Skaters flagship.
Every precaution has been taken by tho
government 10 ensure the safety Of the
troops en- route 10 Cuba. The naval war
board was in session to-day. making the
final preparations for the disposition of the
guard ships. The transports will be kept
as closely together as safe navigation will
permit and the warships will be dispatched
ahead, astern and on either flank.
The feetest scouting vessels win be
thrown far out in advance OF the trans
ports, and in order to ensure against am
attack from the rear some OF these ves-
sells, such ag the st. Louis, perhaps, will
| llnger far astern ready to signal the
heavy armed cruisers at the first sign OF
an approaching foe. The stately battles
ship Indiana, 1t Is expected, will lead the
procession OF ships, which will be the
most numerous gathered in American wat
ers since the civil war.
Tho troops should arrive off Santiago
by Wednesday night, supposing the fleet
proceeds at eight knots speed and land
ing operations should begin by Thursday,
| for Gen. Shafter will not keep his men
Il
than necessary
II is not believed that they will be
lancet at Caimanera, the point on Guam
tanamo bay where the American flag now
flies over the heads of Admiral Simpsons
marines, as that place, while well adapted
| TO serve as a naval base, and as a harbor
or refuge for the American warships, Is
nor particularly well suited for the be-
ginning Of military operations.
In ten days time, unless Unforeseen OBJ
stacIes are encountered. the movement
upon Porto Rico will begin. The war de-
partment has been In close communica-
ton by telegraph with Gen. Miles at
| Tampa and all the necessary instructions
have been given to the commanding gem
eral for tho preparation of the military
forces to be used in this part of the cam
paign.
cen. Miles In turn has been consulting
| Gems. Coppinger and Lee at Jacksonville,
| giving the necessary detailed Instructions,
ana AIN Is so near ready that were some
essential supplies on hand the expedition
| could start within twenty-four hours.
THE navy department has been advised
Of The purpose OF the army and the war
! hoard to-day was making arrangements
III eupply the conveying fleet. This will
he OF a more formidable character than
mat which goes with the Santiago expedl-
lion for the plans contemplate joint at
taok upon the San Juan fortihcations by
Inc army and navy, and these fortifca-
ttons are SO powerful that heavily armor-
"a ships only can be sent against them, at
the beginning
,rheregore, il Is believed that Admiral
aannpson's battleships will head this fleet.
Now that Admiral Sampson has taken up
/ q nosition ashore IN Guantanamo bay Il is
expected at the navy department. that he
win soon be in direct cable communica-
tiou with the department, which will
greatly facilitate the combined operations
OF the navy and army.
The cable which he cut just before land
ing the marines was buoyed and as soon
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