Evening journal., 1898-06-18
BACK FROM TAMPA.
General Miles Confers With
Secretary Alger.
INCREASED ARMY FOR PORTO RICO.
Future Movements of Troops Kept secret,
but a Vigorous Policy WIN lie Adopt
ed-Government Not Afraid OF
Admiral Calnnra's Fleet.
Admiral Cainnra's Fleet.

WASHINGTON, June 1S.-The return
of General Miles from Tampa yesterday
had an inspiring effect upon the war
preparations. The general had a busy
day calling upon Secretary Alger con-
sulting the chiefs of stan and giving
the department the benefit of his OBJ
servatons at Tampa. Secretary Alger
said he was entirely satisfied with the
condition Of the troops as reported by
General Miles and wished he had the
means to provide every one of the vol
unteers with daily surf baths such as
were enjoyed BY the men al Tampa.
General Miles IS yet to have a confer
ence with the president In the mean
time the plans are moving forward
steadily FOR sending further expeditions
both to Porto Rico and Cuba. There is
little likelihood that a second expedl-
tion of 5000 men to re-enforce General
Shafter az Santiago win leave within
the next few days, as has been report
ed. The necessity OF sending these ad-
ditional forces Is questioned by high
military officials. and moreover the
means Of transporting such force are
not available The main consideration
just az present Is the equipment of an
expedition of greater dimensions than
I
Rico as the objective point A month
ago the military authorities were satis-
fed that small force would be suni-
cient To- occupy Porto Rice as the Span
ish force there did not exceed 5000 or
| 5000 men. Now, however. the Spanisl
! garrisons have been so re-enfOrced and
the defenses strengthened that Il IS be-
! lievcd a much larger invading army
Will be required Moreover the officials
! were satisfied on learning today that
I the Cadiz fleet had sailed that the ships
would go TO Porto Rico rather than 20
! Cuba II they crossed 90 this side II
was pointed out that this move would
be the natural strategic one for the
! Spanish commanders TO take. as there
was stil something left for them 70
save i'm Porto Rico.
General Miles would speak only In the
| most general way as to prospective
army movements.
When asked as TO recent reports that
large bodies Of troops were about TO be
concentrated at Florida points with a
view 90 starting further armies OF inva-
sion TO Cuba, Porto Rico and elsewhere,
he said:
"The military campaign is proceeding
steadily toward its cor7nlete execution.
The sending of one expedition or anoth-
er Is but a detail. a single part OF a gem
eral plan OF campaign. OF course il Is
more or less right TO say lhat troops are
about to be forwarded and that expedi.
tions viii be equipped and sent Thai
almost goes without saying for wher
we entered upon war an aggressiv,
campaign was formulated and approv
ed which contemplated the sending OF
! expeditions and their cooperation 70.
ward the successful prosecution OF th'
! war. Just when these expeditions VII
move and how many men win accom-
pany them It is not desirable TO sa.
e now. but it IS enough 70 state that th
/ , campaign now entered upon Is to b
i prosecuted with the utmost vigor unit
the end OF the war"
, The navy officials are somewhat puz
: zled at the failure of the effort TO ex
change Hobson and his crew, just an
nounced from Havana OF course thi
, is not permanent. but simply mean
that the Havana authorities as yet hhv
not been authorized 20 exchange prison
ers The report that came from Madril
s was that the exchange had been au
> thorzed. so 20 is surmised that th
Spanish government has not yet foun'
D means Of communicating i-- decision &
e | General Blanco at Havana
The Cadiz fleet is being closely watch
I ed although the naval view is not sim
! liar to that taken by the army officers
( The former do not attach as much i'm
portance TO this fleet as the latter, an
4 few of the officers can be found who De
r lieve that the ships will ever ventur
% far from the Spanish coast much les
attempt TO cross the Atlantic or go I
the Philippines. The list Of vessels 8
- this fleet is rather formidable IN sount
e but as matter Of fact it includes no
g more than two up TO date modern wa
r vessels, excepting the smaller torped
.t gunboats. IL is certainly the opinion G
MI the naval officers here that n Dewe
had the Monterey with him he woui
. have no difficulty In repulsing the whol
= Spanish force while the Cadiz lice
.t would only afford pastime for SamI
sons steel bulldogs.