Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18
BROOKE AND ALGER CONFER
Discussing Preparations for the Porto Rico
Expedition.
Newport News Likely to Be the Point
of Departure for Most of
Those Leaving.

| Gen. Brooke had another conference this
| morning with Secretary Alger in reference
tc the preparation for the Porto Rico ex-
peditionsThe general reports that his army
is now ready, ard 1t is believed that 1t can
| be embarked within fortnight. While a
positive selection has not yet been made il
is understood that Newport News will be
the port of departure of the larger part OF
the expedition. The army of occupation is
expected to consist Of about IS 600 men, for
II has been decided to take no chances of
repeating the mistake made In Shafters
case of landing with an Insufficient force
and then being obliged to lie idle at a crit
ical moment awaiting renforcements. The
employment of large number Of men IL
also expected to savs bloodshed, for the
presence of an overpowering force would
leave the Spanish defenders of Porto Rico
no reasonable hepe of contending with it,
Evidences of preparation for the Porto
Rico expedition are everywhere apparent
in the War Department. One of the most
important branches to be looked after is
that of subsistence, particularly Of rafrig-
Grated beef, which is to be furnished for
the soldiers selected for duty there, In
order that there may be no delay in this
regard Commissary General Eagan is hav-
Ing prepared advertisements inviting pro-
posals from the large beef-dressing con-
Germs for supplying large quantities of this
article at certain place in the island sub
ject to the order of the general command
ing. Very recently Gen. Eagan awarded
contracts for supplying the army at Santi-
ago with refrigerated beef, and it is ex-
pected that the advertisements for Porto
Rico will follow out the same general lines.
The contract will be big one, as it is the
policy Of the department to keep the army
well supplied with refrigerated beef.
A Sunday Night Conference.
An important conference was held at the
White House last night, the participants
being President Mckinley, Secretary Long
Admiral Sicard and Capt Mahan of the
war board. Adjt. Gen. Corbfn was present
during part of the deliberations.
Arrangements for the Porto Rico expedi-
ton were discussed by the President and
the war board. 1t may be two or three
days before the details of the new invasion
are worked out. but it is probable that be-
fore many days the military forces of the
expedition will have effected landing not
far from San Juan.
Prior to the landing, a naval demonstra-
ten probably will be made against the San
Juan fortifications. The vessels taking part
in the bombardment will be a part of the
fleet Of Admiral Sampson, but what yes-
sells have been ordered to Porto Rico could
not be ascertained.
1t is understood that General Miles. who
is to have general command of the opera
tions in Porto Rico, will not return to the
United States, but will proceed directly to
point near San Juan with such of the
military forces now at Santiago as are to
form part of the expedition against Porto
Rico.
General Miles is in constant communica-
ton with the administration, and much re-
liarce is being placed upon him in the mat
ter Of the selection Of the land forces for
the Porto Rico expedition.