Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-06
PORTO RICO NEXT.
THE EXPEDITION TO SAIL AFTER
SANTIAGO HAS FALLEN.
PLANS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Attack on Habnna to De Deferred
for Some Time-POrtO Rican ReVo-
Iuticnists in Washington Giving
Information.



It IS said on good authority to-day that,
beyond the decision to at once get a
squadron ready to go to Spain, no definite
plans have been reached as to when the
invasion of Porto Rico will be made. All
that is known is that unless plans change
Porto Rico will be the next place against
which troops will operate.
The entire question Of the plans as to
Porto Rico will be held until Santiago has
fallen. That is expected to be almost i'm
mediately, and, therefore, the taking of
Porto Rico will not be long postponed.
The reinforcements going to General
Shafter may or may not be needed by
him, but they will be close enough 10
Porto Rico to be sent there to join what
ever forces may go direct from southern
shores.
VALUE OF REGULAR TROOPS.
In all future land operations IT is in
tended to have a large sprinkling Of regu-
lar troops, the assertion being that the
presence of regulars differed by gradu-
ates of West Point tends to stiffen and
strengthen the volunteers. This makes IT
probable that when Santiago has fallen
and the campaign against Porto Rico be-
gins a number of the regular regiments
at Santiago win be withdrawn for work
in Porto Rico. About 10000 troops Will be
left in Santiago for garrison duty. They
will not be needed TO prevent the recap
ture Of the city by the Spaniards, but they
will be required 10 preserve the peace and
prevent excuses by the Cubans. They
will have to take care Of practically the
entire province of Santiago. or the force
to be left not over one regiment viii be
from the regular army.
TO TAKE HABANA.
The administration is said to have come
to the conclusion that from $4,000 to 1O0.-
coo men will have to be sent against the
city Of Habana This is more apparent
since the game fight put up by the Span
iards at Santiago. 1t Is seen that unless
Spain soon seeks peace the fighting
around Habana win be fierce and pro-
tracted. The campaign may go on for a
month after Uncle Sans forces land. UNI
less Blanco is compelled. by starvation
and internal troubles. 10 surrender.
There are said 20 be thirty miles Of in
trenchments in front OF Habana. Line
after line of strong fortilcatiOns have
been erected for this distance. That
means fighting from the first line all the
way back TO the city of Habana. The
Spaniards will sullenly fall back from
lire TO line. Blanco is strengthening the
fortifcations i'm every way. He has a
fghting force Of from 1900 70 10000 This
will be increased as the Spanish troops
in all the provinces will retire to Ha-
bana just before the landing Of the Ameri-
cans. Every available weapon Of war
and every man will be concentrated To
defend the city.
BLANCO's PRESENT POSITION.
looking at the situation as now seen,
the administration will not send hastily
equipped army 10 Habana. Weeks will be
taken to prepare the invading force, and
TO make II large enough TO succeed. Un-
der these circumstances Habana Will be
left unnolested for a good while. 1t may
even be decided TO take the Canaries be-
fore Habana IS attacked. Nothing VIII be
lost TO allow Blanco 10 have his own way
for weeks. His circumstances viii grow
more serious with each passing day. Hun
ger will breed discomfort and possibly
revolution. He has already put In his
best work strengthening his defences, and
cannot do much more in that line.
PORTO RICANs IN THE CITY.
Evidence that Porto Rico is the next
number on the programme Is found in the
fact that members Of the revolutionary
party Of that island are in the city CO.
operating with War Department officials
In preparing correct maps OF the harbors
rivers, roads, mountains. towns. etc. The
maps in possession OF the War Depart
ment lack much OF being correct. The
Porto Ricans who are al work here know
the geography OF their country well, and
will be OF great assistance TO War De-
partrent officials