The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-26
That Is Believed to Indicate an Tm-
portant Sensational Move Has
Been Determined On.
CUBA MAY NOT BE INVADED
UNTIL UNCLE SAM is FIRMLY IN
TRENcHED IN PORTO RICO.
Alleged scheYe for Preventing Inter-
national Complications I'm Case
Spain Decides to Quit.


NEW YORK, May ga special to the
Tribune from Washington says: "Extraor-
binary activity in the War and Navy de-
partments this morning, which was not linn
tied to the higher officials, but included
every individual in both services, gave
every indication of important and imme-
diate developments in the conduct of the
war; while an unusual exhibition of secrecy
served to strengthen the impression that
prompt and energetic action along the
whole line in the West Indies had become
a question of hours rather than days.
Rumors too definite to be ignored, but inn
possible of official authorization explained
the remarkable hurry and hustle was due
to the Presidents determination to have
Porto Rico occupied by American soldiers
without further delay, and that the troops
which had been concentrated at gulf ports
for the invasion of Cuba were, to embark
Immediately on the twenty transports
which had been secured, and under convoy
OF Admiral Simpsons squadron, be sent at
once to seize San Juan de Puerto Rico and
establish permanent colonial government
in the island similar to that which General
Merritt is charged with creating in the Phil
ippines.
However startling the report, its plaus.
blity soon received corroborative strength
through the reluctance of every high official
to deny it. while many senator's and other
prominent civilians having influential reIa-
tions with those carrying on the war not
only affirmed the existence of the suggeste
plan, but gave cogent reasons for its suddal
adoption by the authorities. 1t is said that
the events of the last few days in Cuba,
eliminating in the uselessness to Spain of
Cervera's fleet, securely corked up at San
tiago, and the destruction of untrammeled
cable communication between the colonies
and Madrid, gava every assurance Of the
speedy collapse Of Spanish resistance to the
ernment had awakened to the necessity OF
actually possessing Porto Rico before the
end came. That island and the Philippines
had come to be looked on as an essential
recompense to the United States for its ex-
pensive Intervention in behalf OF Cuba'a
freedom and the fear had arisen that un-
less they were actually secured before Cuba
fell, embarrassing complications leading
possibly to grave international complies
tions with European powers. might not be
avoided
with the Spanish military forces at Ha-
vana effectually isolated and without even
remote hopes of reinforcements, with
Spain's naval force this side of the Atlantic
completely paralyzed. and with the Madrid
government already tottering in its inse-
curity of policy, the opportunity for deal
ing a crushing blow through the seizure of
Porto Rico was hardly to be resisted. The
unsanitary condition of Cuba, the strength
of the army there and many other causes
which operated to delay the invasion OF that
island with the insufficient force OF trained
regulars which it had been possible to con-
centrate at Tampa in a single month, wholly
disappeared as factors of delay in the Porto
Rican project.
The military authorities expressed SUI
preme confidence in their ability to sweep
the Spaniards from Porto Rico with the
men now at their command while still re-
luctant TO attempt the greater task OF es-
tabishing position in Cuba with the same
force With the 1900 well-equipped and
seasoned regular troops gathered at Tampa,
New Orleans, Mobile and the fleet of trans
ports already loading. many OF them. in
fact ready to sail from those points, salts
factory assurances were given to the Pres
ident that there would be no possibility OF
failure at Porto Rico after the heavy bat
teries had been reduced by SIMPSONS ships
The withdrawal of these forces, IL was
shown, would leave 11,O00 men, the pick OF
the volunteer army, at the gulf ports,
while scarcely days journey away were
the forty regiments of infantry nine light
batteries of artillery and eight troops of
cavalry in the chickamauga camp. rapidly
being trained in effective corps. with the
certainty OF becoming speedily ready TO
meet any emergency that might confront
the government should Cuban occupation
become necessary.
When the excitement In the War De-
partment over the Porto Rican expedition
was at it's height the Presidents procla-
nation calling for an additional force of
5000 men was issued. This action COM
frmed the prevailing impression that ag-
gressive movements were Immediately con-
templated, especially as it had already be-
come known that the authorities We're
agreed on strength OF about 275O00 men
TO carry out the responsibilities which it
had become evident that the governments