The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-20


launched and yesterdays news deyel-
opeo concerted effort all along the
lime TO begin aggressive operations on
IA Dig scale for the ejectment of the
troops and government from the pearl
OF the Antilles. An order given by
the war department for the purchase
OF o'0Oo,O0O rations is an earnest of the
'scale on which preparations are maxi
ing Tor invasion of Spain's territory.
'ot this vast quantity, one-fourth is to
go to the Philippines by way of San
francisco. and the balance to Cuba.
For some reason that was not discoy-
cradle there appeared to be a tenn
~porary check in the practical working
OUT OF the plans of the war department.
for this Cuban movement. After ev-
'erything had been made ready for the
departure Tuesday night Gen. Miles
was detained, and for. a time yester.
day the rather gloomy prospect of an
indefinite postponement of the first
military expedition was presented.
Later, however, the obstacle, whatev-
er 1T was, was removed, and it was
again announced that the commanding
general,
With n Numerous staff
would leave Washington to-day direct
-ly for Tampa. The department has
made a great many changes in the
original programme laid down for the
concentration Of troops, and as indi-
"cated in these dispatches, many bodies
3 Of fh0f r>.;rr
slated for one of the great concentra-
ton camps have found themselves
suddenly under orders to proceed di-
erect to Southern points. SO that the
volunteers from the East and Middle
East will be moving swiftly to Florida
and the gulf, while from the far West,
cars will be carrying troops to San
Francisco. Yesterdays news in con-
nection with the renewal of Gen.
Miles orders to proceed to Tampa is
pretty substantial evidence of a very
early movement of troops in strong
force to Cuba, while the Philippine
programme, of course. has been def
!nitcly fixed for some days. Contrary
to expectations the day again passed
lat the navy department without news
from Admiral Sampson. Notwith-
'$otNAuiAS WudI appear W Dc COlluEIiltt-
tory newspaper advices relative to the
presence of the Spanish Cape Verde
fleet at Cadiz, the navy department Of
.ticials are beginning to
Entertnin Strong Doubts
of the accuracy of the report, 1t was
lot possible during the course of the
day to obtain anything like an official
confirmation of the official report re-
ceived Tuesday, but this is not to be
wondered at in view of the success
with which the Spanish government
has so far met in keeping secret the
movements of it's naval ships. Until
news comes from Admiral Sampson Of
his doings in and around Puerto
Rico it cannot be said definitely what
programme shall be decided on as re-
CARDS that island. 1t has been sug-
gested that some of the troops now be-
ing hurried so rapidly to the Gulf
coast may be intended to cooperate
with Admiral Sampson in the reluc,
ton Of the Notifications of San Juan
de Puerto Rico, and the subsequent oc.
c,lpation of the island. 1t is felt that
the admiral will be in a rather disa-
greeable plight, supposing even that he
managed to reduce the forts with his
ASSt IL liz NC1C oU1lSCN " ACL!llA
there in occupation of the place for
lack of troops, when he might other
wise be urgently needed either on the
Cuban coast or somewhere in the At
lantic to
Meet the Spanish Fleet.
AN evidence of the wisdom of having
the troops transports near at hand in
such cases is shown by the predica-
ment Admiral Dewey is supposed to
be in at Manila, where, for lack of
troops lie is unable to occupy the town
and to prevent atrocities which the in.
surgents are capable of working upon
their helpless Spanish foes. The re-
vival of guesses as to the whereabouts
of the Cape Verde fleet caused re-
newal of anxiety as to the Oregon.
The ship was at Bahia at last accounts
and is believed to have started a day
or two ago up the Brazilian coast to
join SIMPSONS squadron in the West
Indies. She will have to make a run
of 5000 miles, which will occupy the
Oregon about ten days only as she is
in fine fettle and averaged thirteen
knots nm hOur on the long rim around