Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-23

forward steadily for sending further
expeditions both to Porto Rico and
Cuba. There is little likelihood that
the second expedition of 5000 men, to
reinforce Gen. Shafter at Santiago,
will leave within the next few days,
as has been reported. The main con-
sideration just at present is the equip
ment of an expedition Of greater di-
mansions than any heretofore dis
cussed, with Porto Rico as the OBJ
jective point. A month ago the mil
itary authorities were satisfied that
a small force would be sufficient to
occupy Porto Rico. Now, however,
the Spanish garrisons have been so
reinforced and the defenses strength
ened that it is believed a much larger
invading army will be required. More
over, the officials were satisfied, on
learning Friday that the Cadiz feet
had sailed, that the ships would go
to Porto Rico rather than Cuba, if
they crossed to this side.
When asked as to the recent re-
ports that large bodies of troops were
about to be concentrated at Florida
points with a view to starting further
armies of invasion to Cuba, Porto
Rico and elsewhere, Gen. Miles said:
THE military caI1paign is proceeding
steadily towards it's complete execu-
ton. Of course, it is more or less
right to say that troops are about to
be forwarded, and that expeditions
will be equipped and sent. Just when
these expeditions will move or how
many men will accompany them, it is
not desirable to say now, but it is
enough to state that the campaign now
entered upon is to be prosecuted with
the utmost vigor until the end of the
war"
Some of the naval officers have long
faces over the projected promotion of
Hobson to the rank of lieutenant
commander. Not that they object to
his reward, but they feel it is hard
that some means could not be found
to do this without practically injuring
$50 officers over whom he will jump.
The Cadiz fleet is being narrowly
watched, although the naval view is
not similar to that taken by the army
officers. The former do not attach as
much Importance to this fleet as the
latter, and few officers can be found
who believe the ships will ever ven
J ture from the Spanish coast. The list
of vessels in this feet is rather
! formidable in sound, but as a matter
Of fact it includes not more than two
modern war vessels, excepting small
torpedo gunboats.
No news is expected from the fee
! at Santiago before tomorrow. Thi:
statement, made at the navy depart
ment, is based upon an accurate
knowledge of the course adopted b!
! the troop transports and the rate o
speed at which the vessels are travel
ling. The naval officials are still con
|, fident that the vessels have taken al
easterly course by way of Cape Maysi
The war department has been work
| ing strenuously to establish cabl
communication over the French cabl
between Hayti and a point near San
| tiago where the marines are now en-
! camped. AS soon as cable communi
cation is restored it will be operate
by the French Cable company itself
the only restriction imposed by tn
United States being the establishment
Of censorships at Camp McCalla, sim
liar TO those so successfully operate
at Key West and Tampa. The wa
department will establish immediatel
line Of communication almost dali