The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-27
TO ACT QUICKLY.
Important Developments Along IN,
Whole Line Expected.

Important Developments Along the
Whole Line Expected.
New York. May 2s.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The extraordinary activity in the war
and navy departments this morning.
which was not limited to the higher Of
fcials. but included every individual in
both services. gave every indication of
important developments in the conduct
of the war. while an unusual secrecy
served to strengthen the impression
| that prompt and energetic action along
the whole line in the West Indies had
become question OF hours rather than
| days. Rumors. too definite to be un-
! founded rumors. explained the remark
able hurry and hustle as due to the
| possible determination 20 have Porto
| Rico occupied by American soldiers
without further delay, and that the
troops which had been concentrated at
gulf ports for the invasion of Cuba
were to embark Immediately on the 20
transports which had been secured and
under convoy of Admiral Sampson's
squadron he sent at once to seize San
Juan de Porto Rico and establish a
permanent colonial government in the
island. similar to that which General
Merritt is charged with creating in the
Philippines.
However startling the report. its
plausibility soon received corroborative
strength through the reluctance OF
every high official TO deny IL. while
many senators and other prominent ci-
villains having influential relations with
those carrying on the war. not only
affirmed the existence of the suggested
plan. but gave cogent reasons for its
sudden adoption by the authorities.
II was said that the events of the last
few days in Cuba. eliminating in the
uselessness to Spain OF Cervera's feet.
securely "corked up" at Santiago. and
the destruction of untrammeIed cable
communication between the colonies
and Madrid. gave every assurance OF
the speedy collapse of spanish resist
ance TO the inevitable. and the United
States government had awakened to
the necessity OF seizing Porto Rico be-
fore the end came.
The island of Porto Rico has been
looked upon a necessary possession
of the United States. and the fear
had arisen that unless IL was actually
secured before Cuba fell. embarrassing
complications leading to the possibility
of grave International complications
with European powers might not be
avoided. With the Spanish military
forces at Havana effectually isolated
and without even remote hopes Of re-
Inducements. with Spain's naval force
this side OF the Atlantic completely
ernment already tottering in it's inse-
curity of policy. the opportunity for
dealing a crushing blow through the
island of Porto Rico was hardly TO be
resisted.
The military authorities expressed
supreme confidence in their ability to
sweep the Spanish from Porto Rico
with the men now at their command.
while still reluctant 20 attempt the
greater task OF establishing a posses
sion Of Cuba with the same force. With
the 1900 well equipped and seasoned
regular troops gathered at Tampa. New
Orleans and Mobile. the fleet of trans
ports already loading. many of them.
in fact. ready 10 sail from those points.
satisfactory assurances were given TO
the president that there would be no
possibility of a reversal at san Juan
de Porto Rico after the heavy batter.
les had been reduced by Simpsons
ships.
The withdrawal OF these forces. IL
was shown, would leave 900 men. the
pick OF the volunteer army. at the gulf
ports. while scarcely a days journey
away were the 40 regiments Of infantry.
nine light batteries of artillery and
eight troops OF cavalry. In the ChickA-
mauga camp. rapidly being trained
into effective CORPS. with the certainty
OF becoming speedily ready to meet any
emergency that might confront the
government should the Cuban occupa-
ton become necessary.
When the excitement in the war de-
partment over the Porto Rico expedi-
ton was at its height the presidents
proclamation calling for an additional
force OF IS 900 men was Issued Thia
action confirmed the prevailing impress
sion that aggressive movements were
Immediately contemplated. especially
as Ii had already become known that
the authorities were agreed upon =
strength of about s5e.c men to carry