Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-05-19
But Rumor Has Not Been Con.
firmed and May Not
Be True.
CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN At ONCE.
Regardless of the Movement Of
the Navy, an Aggressive
War on Cuba is to
be Made.
Special Dispatch to the Daily Ledger.

Special Dispatch to the Daily Ledger.
WASHINGTON, d. c., MAY IS, 4 p.
m.-The battleship Oregon is now be-
Iieved to be with SIMPSONS squadron,
all right and ready for immediate
service.
There has been no confirmation of
the report from Porto Plato, San Do
mingo, that the Spanish squadron is
at San Juan, Porto Rico.
The Alabama, the biggest battleship
in the American navy, was success
fully launched at Philadelphia to-day.
The cruiser Charleston sailed from
San Francisco this morning for Manila
with supplies for Admiral Dewey.
The Tenth Pennsylvania Regiment
has been ordered to the Philippines.
THE SPANISH FLEET.
PORTO PLATA, SAN DOMINGO, May
lit ia reported here that the Span
ish squadron of four cruisers and two
torpedo boat d%estroyers, commanded
by Admiral Cervera, is at San Juan,
Porto Rico, the town shelled by Samp-
son a few days ago. This report has
not been confirmed, but whatever its
origin, it appears to be generally &C
cepted here as true.
CUBAN CAMPAIGN CHANGED.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Again the
War Department has changed its
Cuban campaign. The administration
now intends to send an army to invade
Cuba within ten days, regardless of
definite news of an engagement with
a Spanish fleet in southern waters.
Plans to convoy the troops without
waiting for the capture or destruction
OF the Spanish heet yer discussed.
The President told his advisers to-day
that, fleet or no feet, the operations
in Cuba must begin to carry out the
humanitarian purposes for which this
country entered upon the a
The campaign is to be waged with
out much attention being paid to pos
sible material aid from the insurgents.
1t was thought some time ago that by
| placing arms In the hands of the In
surgents efficient service could be
given by them and that some of the
hardest part Of the service could be
intrusted to them. 1t has been found
as a result of recent investigation that
the plan will not work. The United
States troops must enter Cuba in
force and do most of the fighting.
After the Americans have thoroughly
established themselves on the island,
the insurgents may he utilized to some
extent but not to the point of main
dependence in any 8 This change
will have the effect of Fastening oper.
atoms in Cuba.
The change is gratifying to the army
officers who believed from the star
that a large army would have to be
landed. 1t begins to look as II Gen
Miles, original plan of campaign would
prevail.
BRYAN TO BE A COLONEL.
LINCOLN, NEB, May 17.-Governol
Holcomb to-day authorized William
J. Bryan to organize the Third Regi
ment of Nebraska volunteers. Tn,
regiment will be made up by volun'
teers from all parts Of the State. Tit
principal points for mastering In com
panies will be In Lancaster, Douglas
Polk, Adams and Harlan counties
Mr.. Bryan will be placed in command
of the regiment. The organization i
in anticipation of the President calling
for more volunteers. II no call Is made
it will become integral part of thu
Nebraska guard. Alrendy 80 applica'
tions for permission to organize com
panies r on file, and from these 1:
will be selected.