The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-20
CUBANS ARE TO Be HELD IN CHECK
War Authorities Army
Santiago More Than View of the
ing Friction Between the Cubans and Americans.

Is not possible yet to give an accu-
rate roster Of the organizations that
will enter into IL.
The pesident announced privately to-
day that while no date of departure OF
the troops to be sent from Chickamauga
to Porto Rico had been fixed. he ex-
pected that they would leave in about
one week from tomorrow. He is await
ing a detailed report from General
Brooke recommending what troops and
supplies should be sent from Chicka-
mauga. The present plan Is stated to
be to embark them at Newport News
or Norfolk, and those at Tampa either
there or at Key West
Admiral Sampson has received final
orders from the navy department as to
the part the American fleet Is to take
in the campaign against Porto Rico
They are based on the view that the
campaign is essentially an army move
ment, the duties of the navy being to
lend every support and assistance to
the land operations. The admiral Is
instructed to aid the army movements
by dispatching conveys when required
and by covering the landing of troops.
AS there is no Spanish feet in San Juan
harbor or other Porto Rican ports, the
navy has a limited field of operation.
The reduction of the harbor fortifica-
tions will be the main work. but this and
supplementary to the main operations
conducted by the army. The strategists,
military and navy. are agreed in the
view that the taking of Porto Rico Is
primarily a military undertaking and
Admiral Simpsons orders are on these
lines.
The navy department is rapidly mov-
ing the large fleet of auxiliary craft.
made up of merchant ships. large ocean
going yachts, tugs, etc, from Atlantic
coast points to Cuban waters, where
they will be placed on blockade duty.
thus releasing the larger ships for more
active duty at Porto Rico and the coast
of Spain. Three of these smaller craft
were sent South to-day, and most all
of them will be on the way within
week, stopping only long enough at Nor
folk to have their batteries strengthened.
When the war broke out a large num-
ber of these auxiliary craft We're pur-
chased. They have been distributed
along the coast from Maine to Florida
at some 40 or more points, making an
effective coast patrol There is felt tn
be no further need of this patrol, 50
that, with the exception of a few i'm
portant points, the auxiliary craft will
be withdrawn for service in Cuba
Bids viii be opened tomorrow lin New
York in the presence of Colenel Hecker.
chief of the transportation bureau of
the war 1DT the conveyance
home to Spain of the Spanish army
captured by General Shafter. Mean
while. In advance of the opening. a bid
has come to the department from one
of the big foreign lines proposing to
carry $4,000 men from Santiago 10 Cadiz
for the lump sum of e125. 200. Any in
crease or dimnution in the number will
be charged for in the same proportion.
This bid is being held up subject to the
formal opening tomorrow.
1t is regarded as certain by the on
GERS Of the war department that Gen.,
eral Miles and the first contingent of the
Porto Rican expedition are now en-
route from Santiago to the point in
Porto Rico where landing is to be ef-
fected. Secretary Alger said this even
ing that he hoped and expected that
General Miles, with his forces from
Cuba. would get away tonight
At o'clock tonight General Miles
was still in Cuban waters. but. so far
as the war officials are informed. the
vanguard of the Porto Rican expedition
was finally prepared to leave.
The war department exchanged sew
eral cable messages with General Miles
during the late afternoon and early
evening regarding the details of the ex-
pedition. but in none of his dispatches
did the general indicate the precise hour
OF his departure. The impression con-
veyed is that he was waiting the naval
vessels which are to act as conveys.