The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-07-23
OFF FOR PORTO RICO.
Gen. Miles Heads an Expedition to
Capture the Island.
A Big Army Under Gen. Brooke to Follow
Point Chosen for Landing Kept
secret--campaign to he
q short One.

Washington, July 19.-After three
days consultation between the presi-
dent, Secretary Alger and Gen. Brooke,
during which there was frequent COM
munication with Gen. Miles, at Sibo.
ney, the details OF the Porto Rican ex-
pedition were perfected and the expe-
dition itself was gotten under way,
Gen. Miles with some artillery and
troops sailing yesterday for Porto Rico
on the converted cruiser Yale, to be
followed quickly by an army of about
80, 900 men. There are some notable
differences in the plans for this expe-
dition and for the stately naval pag-
eant that sailed away from Tampa
under Gen. Skaters command to at
tack Santiago. First there will be
practically no naval sonvoys. The
department has declared that they are
unnecessary, that there is not Span
ish warship in the West Indies that
dare thrust its bow out of port. In
the second place, the expedition does
not start from one point, but will DO
divided among several ports, thus pre-
venting the tremendous congestion
that was encountered at Tampa in the
effort to start the big feet. Lastly,
there will be no effort made to get the
ships away together, but the trans
ports will be allowed 10 find their
own way to their destination, without
concerted movements.
Gen. Miles leads the way. He had
been promised by the president that
he should go to Porto Rico, and the
promise was redeemed when the Yale
headed yesterday from Siboney for
Porto Rico, 800 miles distant. Gen.
Brooke will be the senior officer in
Miles command, and upon him will
fall the responsibility for the execu-
ton Of the details of his superior's
plans. 1t is estimated that Gen. Miles
should arrive by Wednesday night. at
the point selected for the land
ing, and will hoist the Ameri-
can flag at once over Porto Rican
soil. The point chosen for his landing
is kept secret, as the general will land
before the full body of the expedition
Is at hand and II is consequently not
desirable that the enemy should be
able to assemble superior force To
meet him. The distance from Charles
ton, where the first body Of troops foi
Miles expedition started yesterday, il
more than double the distance from
Santiago to Porto Rico, so that the
transports which sail from the former
city can scarcely reach Gen. Miles be
fore the early part of next week.
The purpose of Secretary Alger is Il
make the Porto Rican campaign {
short one. An overwhelming fore,
will be thrown upon the island, and 4
is possible that a bloodless victory
will be achieved when the Spanish be
come convinced that they have no rea
sonable chance to resist successfully
The expedition Is to comprise 30,
men at the start. and 1t will be swelle,
soon TO $1,000 men, and, II necessary
to 10000 men, the equipment Of tn
volunteer forces having now prog
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