The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-17
INVASION OF PORTO RICO
AMERICAN ARMY WILL EQUAL
THE SANTIAGO EXPEDITION
Between 1900 and 10000 Will Go
on Thirty-Five TranspOrts-Em-
barkation Point VIII Probably Be
Fernandfna, FIa.-Anticipate q
Strong Resistance On Part of
Spaniards-Need Transports.

WASHINGTON, June 16-The war
department expects to utilize approx
mately thirty-five transports in the ex-
pedition for the invasion of Porto Rico
This statement was made officially at
the department today. It seems to In
dicate that the Porto Rico army will
equal, If not exceed, in numbers, that
which left for Santiago. The estimate
is made that the thirty-five vessels will
carry between $1,000 and 10000 men
with their equipments and subsistence.
Army officials say that reports which
have been received from reliable sources
show that the number Of Spanish
soldiers in that country are probably
10000, although other reports seem to
indicate there are considerably less
than that number. 1t Is fair to assume,
they say, that when the American army
assumes active operations against the
city Of San Juan every available man
in that place will be pressed into the
service and given a gun. Hence, they
feel the army of invasion should be Of
such proportions as to leave no doubt Of
its ability and capacity to cope success
fully with the enemy.
1t Is stated positively that the en-
barkation point for the troops for Porto
Rico has not yet been finally determin-
ed and will not be until Secretary Alger
and the president have had an oppor-
tunity to confer with Maj. Gen. Miles,
who will return to the city tomorrow
There Is no doubt, however, that this
embarkation will take place from some
point on the Atlantic coast with a prob
ability in favor Of Fernandina, Fla, or
Savannah, Ga.
TRANSPORTS READY.
For the purposes of the Porto Rican
expedition, Assistant Secretary Meikle-
John said today: The department had
now available eleven transports, some
Of which are already at Southern ports,
and these will carry about 5000 men
with their equipments. The war depart
ment is now in communication with the
various coast steamship companies on
the Atlantic and Gulf, with view to
securing the additional vessels needed
A large number, aggregating probably
seventy-five, have been submitted for
the inspection Of the officers of
the quartermaster's department, from
which they hope to obtain the needed
ships.
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn ex-
pressed the hope that the steamship
companies would make point to fa-
vor the war department with their
transportation facilities. He appreci-
ated what they had already done in
this line, but, in view of the extra de-
me nd
they would give the department an
opportunity to charter other ships, as
the government preferred to use Amer
lean vessels in the work about to be
undertaken, rather than to ask con-
gress to grant American registers to
foreign ships, which, after the war was
over, would prove strong competitors
for the coastwise trade.
TAMPA A BASE.
Mr.. Meiklejohn said it had not yet
been determined whether any of the
vessels soon to reach Santiago would
be utilized in the Porto Rican expedi-
ton. That was matter entirely con-
tingent upon the military aspect of af-
fairs as they might develop in Eastern
Cuba.
1t is stated not to be the intention
of the government at this time to aban-
don Tampa as a base of military opera
tions, as has been reoprted. The war
department has vast quantity of ra-
tions, besides a large number of men
at that place. While it is possible that
future large military movements may
not be embarked from that point, yet
it is believed that it will continue to
be used as a reserve basis for such
work as may be more conveniently
done from there.