The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-15
Z RICO NEXT In LINE.
PREPARATIONS FOR INVADING IT
WITH 10000 MEN.

@@ Nv
war Department Hopes to Avoid veHAtisuH
Delays suoh an Occurred in the Santiago
BHpediusn-Trssps now In PIsridA Snd
n1sbiIo may ne selected for tho work.
WASHINGTON, June 14.-ArranEements arc
now we'll under way for the Porto Rioan invn-
sion. The War Department has been in COM
munioation with Gen. CopplnRor, who COM
msnds the military force remaining at Tampa,
and who is destined to ommHnd tho expo
dition 10 Porto Rico. 1t has also conmunl-
Gated with Gen. Lee. who Is in charge
Of the forces at Jacksonville, and who
II mentioned az Military Governor Of Porto Rico
Vhen Il shall have fallen into tho hands Of tho
Americana. The present intention Of the mill
Nary authorities IL to send to Porto Rico q force
Of about 20. 900 men, gathered from the troops
concentrated at Tampa, Mobile, and Jackson
VILE.
The troops under Gen. Coppinger number
about 10. 900, OF whom about 1000 are regulars.
The troops at Mobile are under the command Of
Gen. Theodore sohwan. recently the chief assist
ant Of Adjk-0en. Corbin. Tho force at that place
consists Of nVo regiments of volunteers. There
ere. or viii be during the present week. 5000
troops at jacksonville. recent acquisitions be-
Ing the First Georgia volunteers and the Wy
OninE cavalry regiment under TORY. who Sc
cured o revocation OF the orders OF the regiment
% Join the Manila expedition.
This force will easily supply the American
strength Of 10000 which the military author
Ities deem adequate to send to Porto Rico. 1t
II by no means certain. according to tho on
oials Of the Wal Department, that the Porto
Rican expedition will DO made up entirely
Of the troops gathered at these three
ports. The officers in charge OF affairs at
ChickAmauEa and Camp AlEer are offering the
claims of their in the composition of
che military force for Porto Rico. Tho War De-
partmont officials evidently contemplate utillz-
ing the troops Ia the remote South II a sufficient
number OF the regiments are found to be we'll dis
ciplinod and adequately equipped. These troops
arc at present situated at places convenient
for an embarkation, but the question of accossi-
bility and economy may not entirely govern the
matter Of making up the expedition, especially
~ assurance was given to reglmental command
ere at ChickamauGa, Camp Alger, and even the
Of1oerg of troops held in reserve In tho Depart
lp0nt Of the East, that their were
quite as likely to be chosen for a Cuban or Porto
RicAn invasion as the troops stationed at Gulf
ports. 1t was said that the qualities OF efficiency
and equipment would govern the matter Of
selection.
Tho Wal Department. people say that tho
troops at Tampa, Mobile, and Jacksonville are
IN no way superior to those in other camps. but
NJ " L ~ "a oAANolb On uubJ o CllDN
that the troops at the former places stand a
better chance Of getting to Porto Rico or of
forming an expedition OF reinforcements, which
hEa already been talked Of on very general
terms. for Santiago. Thore has been a belief
that TRmPs would be abandoned as a camp for
military forces. but It 10 said that Gen. Miles
does not lend his cordial approval to this
proposition. TIE latter officer. who Is expected
In Warrington again Soon. has been making re-
ports directly to the President In regard to tho
conditions at Tampa and Port Tampa. Some of
the other officers who have BEEN stationed there
have supported Gen. Miles in his contention
that Tampa Offers all the necessary and ado
quato facilities for concentrating and embark.
sing troops.
The principal and most weiHhty argumen In
behalf Of the abandonment of Tampa has been
furnished by tho army surgeons, who have
represented the climatic conditions as detrimon.
tai to health. Against their theories, however,
and in tho interest Of economy and despatch, 1t
has been represented by those in favor of the
retention of tho force at Tampa that the
place is not only henlthful. but that it
70 one of tho best as a port of departure
with its railroad terminals and docking
facilities, and that II the expedition IL to start
within q few weeks It will hardly be worth while
to transfer the 1o. 900 men to Jacksonville OF
FOrnandina, despite the fact that the change
may be effected by means of transports instead
Of BY rail. If there shall DO q change of base.
army ofloers believe that FornaAdina will be
o0leoted rather than Jacksonville. where the
depth of water In the approach Is not consid-
0red sufficient for most Of the troop transports.
There ara many details to be arranged before
the Porto Rican expedition 10 ready for depart
uro. Experience has shown that the equip.
meut of a largo body of the military can.
not be accomplished without numerous uu.
fo0eBoen delays. There 10 promise, how.
ever, that the confusion and blunders and
dIlGtorlneSs which marked the equipment OF
the Santiago expedition will DO avoided in
Attin6 out the Porto Rioan party. An important
step In this direction was taken In tho relief Of
1Ome Of the supply officers on duty At Tampa
and the detail OF officers Of moro experiences and
executive ability will have made substantial
progress In bringing order out of the chaotic
condition at Tampa and Port Tampa. which
proved well nigh disastrous to the department
tAl plans.
There are, 80 far As can be ascertainsd at tht
War Department. eleven transports at the dis
VoSAl Of the authorities for use In tho Porto RicaI
expedition. and 1t 10 estimated that certainly a
many 81 fifteen moro transports must DO char
tered in order to accommodate tho foroo OF 20,
600 destined fer the next expedition.
Despite the vast amount Of work which mus
b accomplished. the War Department officer
are BanEuine ever the prospects Of q speedy en-
bArkAttOn Of these treOpS. Assistant 5ecretar,
AoiklO3Shn said to-day IL was net safe to plac
the period Of adequate preparation ct much les
than two weeks. He based this estimate Q
uhO upon tho reports which have reached him
and which deal with the progress mAdo In tn
DrelininarieS. None OF the officials in the dc
pArtnOnt. however, would DO surprised or dis
appointed II the expedition to Porto Rico di
bet succeed in getting away within six weeks Q
two months.