Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-23
IHE MILES EXPEDITION
To Porto Rico Will Be Complete in
Every Particular.
TO TRANSPORT THE sPANIARDs,

The War Department Awards the Com
tract to the spanish Transatlantic
Company-It WIN Cost the Govern
ment $535 900 to send Them to spain
Washington, July 21--The war and
navy departments are now engaged
in making all OF the arrangements for
the dispatch of the Porto Rican expedi-
ton and watsons eastern squadron
There has occurred one of those natu-
raj pauses in the progress of the cam
paign Incident TO the completion of one
set of operations and the imitation Of
another, There being no possibility OF
the receipt OF news of a great battle
or OF surrender. there was less ex-
citement. less evidence of nervous
strain than for weeks past General
Miles expected departure was again
deferred. The explanation given was
that there was difficulty experienced
at Santiago in securing the naval con-
voy for the expedition. Ii is known.
however, In addition. that the president
himself has restrained General Miles 70
the extent OF abjuring him in earnest
terms not to commit the folly OF start
ing for Porto Rico without the most
complete preparation.
The government has profited by the
lessons taught by the Santiago expedi-
ton. Aside from the actual loss Of life
that might be expected to result from
a badly calculated start. II Is realized
that our relations With some of the
European powers would be impaired
in a small measure at least, by the ad-
verse moral effect created by anything
approaching a defeat for the Ameri-
can arms at this stage of the war.
Therefore, IL Ii certain that, so far as
the department can prevent, General
Miles soldiers win not run short OF
food nor of tents to protect them from
the tropical rains, nor of the means of
transportation, that were so deficient
at the beginning OF the Santiago move
ment.
General Miles reported yesterday
afternoon that he had with him ten
transports, which It is presumed have
aboard several thousand soldiers, al
though at least two of them are filled
with equipment. The men aboard ship
are suffering from delay precisely as
did the soldiers who lay in Tampa bay
before the departure of the Shafter ex-
petition.
The purpose Of Secretary Alger is to
make the Porto Rican campaign a
short one. An overwhelming force will
be thrown upon the island, and II is
possible that bloodiess victory will be
achieved when the Spanish become
convinced that they have no reasonable
chance to resist successfully. The ex-
petition Is to comprise 10000 men at
the start, and 1t will be soon swelled
to a, 900 men, and II necessary to 50,-
900 men, the equipment of the volun-
teer forces having now progressed so
we'll as 10 warrant the statement that
the number OF men can be ready for
service In Porto Rico within a very
short time. The invading army will
| doubtless include the Sixteenth, Third
| and Fourth Pennsylvania, the Fifth
Maryland and the Second New York
regiments.
The war department was agreeably
surprised at the number and terms Of
the bids received In answer TO its pro-
posals for transporting the Spaniards
now at Santiago to Cadiz. The bid
from the Spanish Transatlantic COM
pany was the most surprising of all,
and It's terms were so liberal that the
contract was promptly awarded to that
company 1t win cost the government
$535,00 TO transport the prisoners.
The company agrees to carry the
prisoners from Cuban ports to Spain at
the rate of $40 for each enlisted man
and $55 for each commissioned officer,
subsistence to be furnished by the COM
pany on the army ration basis, as pro-
vided for in the governments adver-
tisement for bids.
The award provides also that the
company shall have five ships at San
tiago on the Both inst. two on Aug.
and enough to complete the trans
portation of the prisoners on Aug. Fl.
According to the calculations at the
navy department, Admiral Dewey's
fleet at Cavite should now be rein
forced by the coast defense vessel
Monterey, which. with her tender and
collier. the Brutus, has now been about
20 days out from Honolulu. With the
addition Of this fine and powerful mon
itor Dewey viii be amply able to take
care of himself so long as the naval
forces of the Philippines are maintain
ing the relative proportions they now
occupy.