Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-18
CAMPAIGN TO BE PUSHED
lelay in HObson Exchange.

AS1ANp1OAN, June li.-Ihc return OF
General Miles to Washington from Tampa
to-day had an inspiring effect upon the
war preparations. The General had
busy day calling upon Secretary Alger,
consulting the chiefs of the staff depart
msnts. and giving the department the
benefit Of his observations at Tampa.
secretary Alger said that he was entire
ly satisfied with the condition of the
troops. as reported by General Miles. and
wished that he had the means to provide
every one of the volunteer soldiers with
q daily surf bath such as was being en-
joyed by the men at Tampa
General Miles is yet to have confer
euce with the President. In the mean
time the plans are moving forward stead
lily fog sending further expeditions both
TO Porto Rico and Cuba. There is little
likelihood that a second expedition Of
5.O0o men. to reinforce General shafter at
Santiago, will leave within the next few
days. as has been reported. The neces-
sity Of sending these additional forces is
questioned by high military officials, and
moreover, the means Of transporting such
a force are not available.
The main consideration just at present
is the equipment of an expedition OF
greater dimensions than any heretofore
discussed. with Porto Rico as the objec-
tive point. A month ago the military
authorities were satisfied that a small
force would be sufficient to occupy Porto
Rico. as the Spanish force there did not
exceed 5000 or 61OJ0 men. Now, how
ever, the Spanish garrlsons have been so
reinforced and the defences so strength
eneQ that 1t is believed a much larger In
yading army will be required. Moreover,
the officials were satisfied on learning
to-day that the Cadiz feet had sailed;
that the ships would so to Porto RICO
rather than to Cuba, If they crossed 10
this side. 1t was pointed out that tins
move would be the natural strategic one
for the Spanish commanders TO take. as
there was still something left for them
10 save in Porto Rico.
General Miles would speak only In the
most general way as 10 prospective army
movements. When asked as 10 recent re-
ports that large bodies OF troops were
about 10 be concentrated at Florida points
with a view TO starting further armies oI
invasion to Cuba, Porto Rico. and else
j. proceeding steadily toward its complete
execution. The sending OF one eNpedluoh
or another is but a detail-a single part
of the general plan OF campaign u
course. IL is more or less right TO say that
troops are about to be forwarded, ana
that exDeditions will be equipped and
sent That almost goes without saying
for when we entered upon war an ag-
sressive campaign was formulated and
approved. which contemplated the SEND
ing OF expeditions and their cooperation
toward a successful prosecution OF the
war. Just when these expeditions VIII
move. and how many men will accompany
them. il is not desirable 10 say now
but it is enough to state that the cam
psign now entered upon is TO be prose
cuted with the utmost vigor until the emu
Of the war"
The naval officials are somewhat puz-
zIed at The failure Of the enort 10 eA-
change Hobson and his crew. just an
nounced from Habana. OF course TINS Is
not permanent, but simply means thAl
the Habana authorities as yet nave not
been authorized TO exchange the prison.
ers. The report that came from Mauri"
was that the exchange had been au'no-
,ized so IL is surmised that the Spanish
Government has not yet foupd means OF
communicating its decision TO General
Rlanco al Habana Some of the naval
officials are pulling long faces over the
projected promotion Of Hobson TO the
rank Of Heutenant-cOmmander. NOT thal
they object 10 his reward, but they ieei
that some means might be found 10 90
this without practically injuring the 20
officers whom he will jump.
Dewey's report Of June Eth from Ca
yite was food for good deal OF discus
sion to-day at the Navy Department
Taken in connection with the press re-
ports. il would seem 10 indicate that
Manila probably has fallen by this time
one phrase used by the Admiral-that
they do not intend to take the city al
the present time"-warrants the belief
that he has reached perfect UNDER
standing with the insurgent leaders ana
that the town is not TO be attacked until
his own troops arrive. For some reasons
Il Is extremely desirable that such should
be The case. and that Dewey should re-
celve the surrender Of the town III per
son, rather than force the Spanlards TO
surrender 20 the insurgents. and thereby
afford possible pretext for the inter
ference Of some OF the European Powers
whose ships are gathering In suspiciousiy
large numbers In Manila bay.
The Cadiz feet is being Narrowly
watched. although the naval view Is not
similar 10 that taken by the army ofh-
GERS. The former do not attach as mucn
Importance 10 this feet as the latter
and few OF the officers can be found TO
believe that the ships will ever venture