The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-31
A LAND ATTACK
On Santiago de Cuba is Prob
ability.

new ork, May 3I-A Spec1al TO the
Tribune from Washington says:
The president told some callers today
that he expected Commodore Schley to
attack Cervera within twenty-four
hours.
General Miles made no secret before
leaving Washington of the immediate
departure of the army from Tampa,
though he declined to encourage any
speculation to its destination
for obvious military reasons. 1t is
known, however, that ever since the
first reports announcing the arrival of
the Spanish squadron at Santiago last
Saturday night he has been thoroughly
alive to the practically prohibitive dan
gers which would have to be encoun-
tered by an American fleet in fighting
its way past the elevated batteries and
up the narrow and tortuous channel of
that harbor to force a battle with the
Spaniards and has steadily urged upon
the authorities the necessity of a land
attack OH the place as the quickest and
most effective method of dealing Spain
a crushing blow.
His plans have been fully matured
with that end in view, and the only
question on which the departure of the
army from Tampa rested was that Of
Cervera's indisputabie presence at San
tiago, with an American fleet outside
of sufficient power to prevent his egress
and to destroy him if he attempted to
reach the open sea.
In the transports at Tampa, in addi-
tiOn to the large quantities of supplies
needed by the army, whatever its des-
tinatiOn, have been stored a number of
powerful siege guns which will be effec-
tive for shelling the entire basin in
which the harbOr and city of Santiago
lie, when mounted on high positions
among the surrounding hills.
There is believed to be only a single
contingency which could operate to
modify General Miles plans for the
land attack on Santiago, and that may
not develop until the fleet of transports
under the convoy of Admiral Simpsons
squadron arrives off Cape Maysi in
the Windward Passage six hundred
miles from Key West and scarcely half
a days run from the proposed landing
place on the coast near Santiago. This
is the possibility that Commodore
schley, impatient over the De
lay in getting at the Span
iards, and in the absence Of
accurate knowledge that military rein
forcements are at hand, may, on draw
ing the fire of the batteries, ascertain
that their formidability has been great
ly exaggerated, and determine to force
his way into the harbor and complete
the work without assistance. Should
| this occur, the fleet of transports and
warships arriving in the Wfndward
Passage will quickly secure the news
from scout ships, and the alternative
destination of Porto Rico will be at
once adopted.
The promptness with which the de-
parture of the army from Tampa has
been effected after the last doubt OF
CerVera'S IS presence at Santiago was re-
moved will perhaps not be taken for
several days, although confidence is ex-
pressed that the celerity of the move
ment will prove remarkable in military
annals. In fact, it is intim2ted IN
| high quarters that several of the trans
ports have already reached the rem
| devious at Key West. if. indeed, the
entire fleet is not already on the way
| At Key West an effective addition to
| the landing force has been provided
| in the marine corps battalion on the
| transport Panther. This force Is COM
posed of trained men, especlaIIy drhiea
| to land under fire, and it is expected
to be the first force ashore wherever
| the attack is made.
| General Miles counts on the active
| support of the inSurgent, General car
| cia who was visited by Lieutenant
| Rowan, and to whom couriers have al
| ready been sent, informing him OF the
| purpose of the American army to invest
| Santiago should such an operation be
| necessary to destroy Cervera's meet
| General Collazo and Colonel Hernandez
of Garcia'S staff, who accompanied
Lieutenant Rowan by way OF the Ba-
hanas to Washington, have been con-
stantly consulted by General Miles Tor
| the last three or four days, giving him
| invaluable information regarolng san
| tiago province, and they Will accom-
| pany the expedition from Tampa ana
| act as guides for the army after the
| landing is effected.
General Miles dispelled all doubts as
to his own active part in the expeu-
| ton by announcing that he would pc
| prepared to embark at Tampa on Wed
| nesday in one of the fastest small cruls-
ers, which will take him quickly TO the
| scene of operations.
The size of the force to be Landed
| near Santiago does not exceed 15,UOO
| men of whom it is expected that not
| over 5000 will actually taAs part IN
| the siege, the others being neld in re-
| serve for use If extra ordinary resist
| ance is encountered. The outlook, how
| ever. is for quick and decisive action
| and there is confidence afnonS I'M In
| tarv men that the city will fall within
| ten days. 1,
| It is not the intention of General
| Miles to remain at Santiago an unnec-
| essaI~v hour after the capitulation OF
| that mort and the successful accomplish
| ment of the purpose of the INVASION On
| the contrary most of the troops VIII
| he quickly re-embarked in the trans
| norts and the combined military ana
| take possession of Porto Rico, pelAs
! reinforced for this purpose by addition-
| al troops from Tampa. TheSe rem
| forcemepts will consist largely OF Nol-
! unteers Including those whicn nave
| exhibtted the highest efficiency among
| the commands now at Camp Iho1nas'
Chickamauga park
Perhaps some of these conInanoS anus
| will reach Key West about the time
| me main expedition starts from there.
| and they will be prepared to follow the
| first expedition Immediately if such ac-
| ton at that time appears to be desir-
able.