Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-16
ARMY OF INVASION.
The Government Taking Its Time
About Moving the Troops.
some SPANISH WARSHIPS AROUND.
strong Fleet Of Naval Conveys, Made Up
Of Sixteen Warships, VIII Escort the
TrsnspOrts--Troops In Dan.
ger Of Yellow Fever.

WASHINGTON, June ll.-Out OF the
maze Of doubt and contradiction as to
the dispatch Of the first army OF inva.
sion to Cuba, one thing stands out
clearly, namely, that the government,
feeling strong in Its present position
and plan, is moving cautiously and
with the delioeration which II believes
will secure success unattended with
disaster. With the main purpose in
view, the army and navy are co-opera-
ting toward the dispatch Of the troops.
some IS, 900 in plumber, under escort OF a
strong feet Of naval conveys, made up
OF 10 warships, headed by the
battleship Indiana. Unattended by
this strong fleet, the troops might
have left last Friday. when one strong
naval convoy was ready for this serv.
Ice. Since then, however, reports have
come as to the presence Of Spanish
ships in the north Atlantic. Realiz.
ing that nothing was to be gained by
haste, and that the war was progress.
ing steadily toward success, 1t was
determined not to take the
one small chance Of having our
troop transports menaced by
some scouting ship OF the enemy.
As a result, the troop transports have
not proceeded to Cuba, as has been
repeatedly asserted. They are in read.
mess to go, but will not move until
the naval convoy is ready to accom-.
pany them, assuring safe conduct from
Florida to the point OF destination.
Whether that will be tonight or to.
morrow, the war department declines
positively to say, and there is author.
ity for the statement that any reports
purporting to give the day or hour
when this formidable hotilla OF inva-
sion will start is not only unwarrant ted,
but meets with the most vigorous Off.
cial condemnation. The administra-
tion feels that the time has come when
it is of the utmost Importance that the
precise movements of this invading
fleet should not be published In this
country and thus heralded to the
enemy.
The completeness with which the
of troops has been planned
Is shown in the official list Of transport
vessels given out at the war depart
Yesterday. OF this list "a large steam
ships, varying from 100 tons down to
100 tons, are at Florida ports ready to
carry our troops to the point Of inva-
sion. There are some Is other craft,
including vessels suitable for convey.
ng fresh water, stores, ETC., and for
ighterlng the troops and stores from
The ships to the beach when the de-
oarkation begins. The entire trans.
)ort fleet of about 30 steamships, aug
nented by the feetof naval convoys,
9 In number, will make formidable
marine procession, exceeding In mag
litude the notable spectacle Of the
laval review during the worlds fair
'ear.
'Roops IN DANGER OF YELLOW FEVER.
WASHINGTON, June Ex-senator Ba.
ON, of Georgia, had conference with
he president yesterday concerning the
eported yellow fever In the south and
he precautions that 1t will be neces-
airy for the government to take to
'rotect the troops from the disease.
senator Bacon advised the president
o see to 1t at once that the United ,
tates forces now In the south be re.
moved from the region Of contagion,
ither by sending them to Cuba or
'orto Rico, or by removing the perma. ,
ent camps from the lowlands to |
igher elevations. The whole matter |
as been referred by the presi.
ent to Surgeon General Wyman with
Instructions to make report upon
at the earliest possible moment. !.
Zen. Wyman's report will, naturally, !
e based upon an investigation Of the )
ubject. The report will be made
robably In a few days. Representa-
ives Livingston and Adamson visited !
he war department on the same err +.
and as took Senator Bacon to the.
'hite house. Surgeon General Wyman >
aid yesterday;
Ordinarily II we had not been on the look
IT. these cases might have been progressing
N u long period without being recognized, and /,
10 diagnosis might have been disputed But i
lcre is hope now in view Of their prompt dis
very, that the spread will be prevented. In j
'voral places last summer the disease was {
lckly recognized and 1t did not spread, at !
butable to the prompt preventive measures
ioptcd. We are keeping close watch not I
ally at Mcllonry, but elsewhere I
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