The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-26
Orders

-
Issued by the President "a Sampson TO
Cease Delay In Furnishing Convoy TO
Miles Expedition-A Heavy squad
RON Co he Sent.
Washington, July 2l--President Nc
kinley was thoroughly aroused over
the delay which occurred in the start
ing of General Miles and the expedi-
ton under his command for Porto
Rico. For several days General Miles
and his troops were aboard their trans
ports al Playa del Este awaiting the
naval convoy which was TO be fur
nished by Admiral Sampson. The
troops had been sweltering in the
crowded ships under the broiling heat
OF a tropical sun, while General Miles
had been chatting under what he be-
lieved to be inexcusable delay and was
b~ombarding the war department with
dispatches using the strongest terms
that the navy department be hurried
in its preparations for the expedition.
Instructions OF the most positive ma
ture had been cabled TO Admiral
Sampson to supply the necessary con-
voys for General Miles transports, but
Notwithstanding these Instructions,
Sampson proceeded with his prepara-
tions for the expedition with a DELHI
Grafton that exasperated the officials
here.
The president, who has been giving
the Porto Rican expedition his per-
sonal attention, as he has given, in
deed, all phases Of the war, finally
became deeply concerned lest the part
OF the Porto Rican expedition al
ready sailed from this country should
arrive at the point of rendezvous in
advance of General Miles. 1t is fear
ed that if General Wilson's command,
which sailed yesterday from Charles
ton should arrive in advance of Cen
eral Miles and the naval conveys,
serious danger and possibly disaster
might result, as General Wilson's
ships are absolutely without protec-
ton.
Fully approaching these facts and
realizing the necessity for prompt &C
ton in getting General Miles and his
expedition started, President McKin-
ley this morning issued personal Or
ders through the secretary of the navy
to Admiral Sampson that he should
proceed Immediately to Porto REQ with
General Miles. They were imperative
to a degree seldom employed, except
in cases of extreme emergency. They
were of the sort that will brook no
delay in their execution.
Concerning the naval cOnyoyS of
General Miles expedition the navy
department made public the following
statement:
Admiral Sampson telegraphed this
afternoon to the secretary of the navy
that there has been no delay in fur
nishing ample convoy to General
Miles, saying: "a day or two ago
the Cincinnati and New Orleans were
both placed at his disposal. The Col
umbia and Yale carrying troops are
both powerfully armed" says the tele-
gram land this is an ample convoy for
his expedition and to effect his land
ing. The Annapolis, Wasp and
Lyden had been ordered from Nipe,
the Gloucester also added, and the
three monitors ordered from Key
West. Under these circumstances
there certainly has been no lack Of
naval assistance. If General Miles
preferred to wait, the delay was his
own. However, in further answer to
| his request, the Massachusetts, and
Dixie were also added this morning,
and he has probably started"
This statement shows that General
Miles will be backed in effecting his
landing on Porto Rican soil by a
strong squadron Of the navy. In ad-
dition to the vessels named, it is Off
cially admitted for the first time that
the powerful monitors Terror, Am
phtrite and Puritan which have been
at Key West are under orders to pro-
coed to Porto Rico to assist in the re-
duction of the Spanish forces there.
It is known, also, to be not unlikely
indeed, itisprobable-that still another
vessel of Admiral SIMPSONS feet will
participate in the reduction Of the for
tifications of San Juan. This was in
Dictated clearly by Secretary Longs
Observation-Disclosures concerning the
sailing of Commodore Watson's eastern
squadron to Spain. In the course Of
that statement the secretary said the
eastern squadron would be sent to
Spain later, when the. Porto Rican
campaign permits. It seems clear
that some, at least, of the vessesl will
be employed in the bombardment OF
the Notifications Of Porto Rico's