Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-18

An important war conference was held
at the White House today Those who
were first with the President were Secre-
tery Alger and Gen. Niles. Later Secretary
Long Joined the conference and for a
short time Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn
was present The conference lasted over
two hours. Secretary Alger declined to
talk about the conference, and when asked
If orders had been issued for troops to so
south from Chickamauga and Camp AIger
refused to reply. The presence of the
heads of the two fighting departments Is
construed as certainly meaning arrange
nlents for another invasion. Secretary
Long remained to lunch with the Presi-
dent and continued the conference.
Gen. Miles gave an account of the situa-
ton in Florida and of what is needed to
get another expedition ready. He talked
fully and freely.
Every indication today points to the early
invasion of Porto Rico. 1t is thought that
the conference was called chiefly because
of the news that Admiral Camdra has sail
ed from Cadiz. The officials of the ad-
ministration see in the coming of this fleet
another menace to the sailing of an ex-
pedition To Porto Rico unless that expedi-
tion gets away before Camara can reach
this side. 1t is believed that the President
proposes to send an expedition to Porto
Rico and relief to General Shafter before
the Spanish fleet can get to this side of the
water.
Importance of Capturing Porto Rico.
The capture of Porto Rico will be more
important now than before. If the Span-
it can make that island base of supplies
for almost any kind of campaign The
shIpS OF Camara, while not dangerous
would be continually annoying contemplat-
ed and real expeditions. If Porto Rico Is
taken from the Spaniards now there will
be no base of supplies nearer than the
Canaries.
1t is not believed that Camara will sail
straight for Porto Rico He will be de-
tained at the Canaries some time He NAV
expect to meet an American fleet in that
neighborhood.
The stopping of Camara and his SQUADRON
at the Canaries will give the administration
fully two weeks to get an expedition safely
off to Porto Rico. 1t now seems necessary
that the expedition should get away within
that time.
1t is said today that the government can
not afford to allow Camara to get to San
Juan with his fleet. If Cervera has not
feel much better that another Spanish
squadron is close enough to him to give
him assistance and help him fight his way
out
1t is said that If Camara gets safely to
San Juan and has harbor and protec-
uon. Admiral Sampson Will have to divide
his fleet to handle both Cervera and Ca
rara and at the same time protect the
Gockade off Havana. The situation will
pt be as secure now, and the war NAV
3 on for many weeks. Camara will prob
ably use the same tactics as Cervera He
Hill keep his movements secret. His cb-
tect is thought to be the carrying Of aid
10 BlGnco. but the American navy will
have no idea Of where he may appear, and
cur ships will have to be divided SO as TO
cover many points.
The prospect now is that to avoid all the
aDnoyances which loom ahead heavy rein
forcenaents will be rushed to Gen. Shafter
SO as to push the capture or destruction of
Cervcra- At the same time a large army
will be Immediately gotten ready to move
to Porto Rico.
A New Flying Squadron.
II is suggested this afternoon that, in
addition to hurrying an army of invasion
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