The record-union., 1898-06-18
Will Be of Greater Dimensions Than
Any Heretofore Dispatched.
Not Considered Necessary by High Military
Officials to at Present Send Any Addl-
tiona| Troops to Santiago
de Cuba.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE return
of General Miles to Washington from
Tampa had an inspiring effect upon the
war preparations. The General had
busy day, calling upon Secretary AL
ger. consulting the chief of staff depart
ments, and giving the department. the
benefit of his observations at Tampa.
Secretary Alger said he was entirely
satisfied with the condition OF he
troops as reported by General Miles,
and wished that he had the means TO
provide every one of the volunteer sol
diers a daily surf bath, such as was
enjoyed by the men at Tampa.
General Miles is yet to have con-
ference with the President. In the
meantime the plans are moving stead
lily for sending further expeditions both
to Porto Rico and Cuba. There is little
likelihood that a second expedition of
5,0o0 men to reinforce General Shafter
at Santiago will leave within the next
few days, as has been reported. The
necessity of sending these additional
forces is not considered urgent at pres
ent by high military officials. aal,
moreover. the means of transporting
such force are not available.
The main consideration just at pres
ent is the equipment of an expedition
of greater dimensions than any here
tofore dispatched, with Porto Rico as
the objective point A month ago !he
mil tar
a small force would be sufficient to oc-
cupy Porto Rico, as the Spanish force
there did not exceed 5000 or 5000 men.
Now, however, the Spanish :;arrisons
have been so reinforced, and the de-
fenses so strengthened that it is be-
lieved much larger invading army will
be required. Moreover, the officials
We're satisfied, on learning today that
the Cadiz fleet had sailed, that the
ships would go to Porto Rico. rather
than to Cuba. If they crossed to this
side 1t was pointed out that this
move would be the natural strategic
one for the Spanish commanders to
take as there was still something for
them to save in Porto Rico.
The naval officials are somewhat ruz-
zled at the failure of the effort to ex-
change Hobson and his crew. just an
nounced from Havana OF course this
is not permanent, but simply means
that the Havana authorities as yet
have not been authorized to exchange
prisoners. The report that came from
Madrid was that the exchange had
been authorized, so it is surnised that
the Spanish Government has not yet
found means of communicating its de-
cision to General Blanco at Havana.
Prominent naval officers are putting
on long faces over the projected pro-
motion OF Hobson to the rank of Lieu
tenant Commander Not that they OBJ
ject to his reward, but they feel that
it is hard that some means could not
be found to do this without practically
injuring the 80 officers whom he will
jump.
Deweys report of June 10Th from
Cavite was food. for a good deal of dis
cusson to-day at the Navy Depart
ment Taken in connection with the
press reports. it would seem to indicate
that Manila probably has fallen by this
time One phrase used by the Admiral,
that they do not intend to take the
city at the present time" warrants the
belief that he has reached a perfect
understanding with the insurgent lead
er and that the town is not to be at
tackled until the American troops ar
rive. For some reason ii is extremely
desirable that such should be the ease,
and that Dewey should receive the sur
render of the town in person. rather
than force the Spaniards to surrender
to insurgents. and thereby afford pos
sible pretext for the interference OF
some of the European Powers whose
ships are gathering in suspiciousiy
large numbers in Manila Bay.
The Cadiz fleet is being Narrowly
watched although the naval view is not
similar to that taken by the army oifi-
GERS. The former do not attach as
much Importance to the fleet as the
latter, and few of the officers can be
found TO believe that the ships VIII
ever venture far from the Spanish
coast, much less attempt to cross the
Atlantic or go to the Philippines. the
list of vessels in this fleet is rather for
midable in sound, but as a matter cf
fact it includes not more than two up-