Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-14

will follow them from this country.
owing TO the mountainous and
Jungle-like character of the coun-
try back of Santiago where the
troops must operate, there will be
little opportunity for the use of
cavalry so that the expedition has
not been weakened in the opinion Of
experts by Withholding the cavalry
mounts at the beginning of the
campaign.
The troops will arrive off Santa
go Thursday morning at the latest,
barring storms or accident, and
the landing probably will take place
on the afternoon of that day or
Friday following, as admiral
Sampson is extremely anxious 70 re-
inforce the small body of rlarlnes
now ashore at Guantanamo bay.
The position of these men is not
entirely satisfactory to the officials
here. While no advices have yet
reached the Navy Department of
the attack made on the marine
force by Spanish guerri'las Satur-
day night, there is no reason to
qestlon the accuracy of the press
reports. 1t cannot be said that the
attack caused surprise here. but it
was plain to be seen that it indicat-
ed to the officials some ugly posi-
Dilltles fer the future. 1t is appar-
ent for one thing, that regular or
CARNATIONS of troops fighting ac-
cordlng to established methods are
destined to meet with severe loss
at the hands of Irregular bodies
such as the Spanish guerrillas, who
evidently have taken a lead from
the Cubans' practice and are con-
Quoting something like Indian war
fare in the jungles. One of the
most annoying features attending
this style Of warfare is the worry
imposed upon the soldiers, for a
few score irregulars can manage to
keep in a state of unrest and excite
ment a large body of regular
troops, preventing them from
sleeping and generally disturbing
them. Behind earth-works there
will be little reason for complaint
on this score, and it is probable
that our troops in operating in
Cuba will be obliged to resort fire.
quently to this means of defense.
Capt. Taylor, of the battleship
Indiana, is in command of the naval
convoy feet which accompanies the
transport ships. 1t has been pre-
sumed that this capable officer
would be charged with this duty,
but the fact of his command can
now be stated positively. The
makeup of the convoy fleet is still
withheld, and in fact the Navy De-
partment knows only as to the gen.
eral character of its strength. Be-
sides the Indiana one other battle
ship and a first-class cruiser ac-
company the fleet. The other ships
are lesser cruisers, gunboats and
auxiliary craft Five of the naval
ships of the fleet first went TO Port
Tampa, while eleven remained off
and the thirty-two transports reach
ed Key West, junction was made
with the eleven warships at that
point and the combined fleets
started together.
Naval officials speak of it as a
magnificent marine procession. The
war transports stretched out for
several miles, according to high
naval official, although even this,
il is felt, is short of the length
which such a procession of trans
ports would take, each being given
adequate sea room. The warships
proper, headed by the majestic In
diana, stretched at least three
quarters of a mile.
With the expedition off, officials
here feel that there will be a per-
iod of comparative inaction for a
few days. BY Thursday at the lat
est. the transports will be off San
tiago. and a large American army
will make its landing on Cuban soil.
Admiral Sampson has cleared the
way for this undertaking, and lit
tie danger is apprehended in get
ting ashore. 1t will be after that,
when the advance is made, that the
actual dramatic developments may
be expected BY that time, it is
likely the American commanders
will be in direct cable communica-
ton with the authorities here. Ad-
Continusd on Second Page.