The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-12
Navy Far From Sure Her Fleet Is
at Cadlz.
TROOPS SMAYCOTOpORTO
Two Cruisers Instead Of One Likely
TO Go to Philippines.

Washington, May 1.-THE army move
nent on Cuba is now fairly launched, and
to-day's news developed concerted effort
all along the line to begin aggressive op-
eratons on a big scale for the ejectment
of the Spanish troops and government
from the Pearl of the Antilles
An order given this afternoon by the
war department for the purchase of $780,
600 ratons is an earnest sign of the scale
on which preparations are making for in
vasion Of Spain's territory.
OF this vast quantity one-fourth is to
go to the Philippines by way of San
Francisco, and the balance to Cuba.
For some reason that was not discover
able there appeared to be a temporary
check in the practical working out of the
plans of the war department for this Gu
ban movement. After everything had been
made ready for his departure last night,
Gen. Miles was detained, and for some
time to-day the rather gloomy prospect of
an indefinite postponement of the first mil
itary expedition was presented. Later on,
however, the obstacle whatever it was.
was removed, and it was again announced
that the commanding general with nu-
merous staff would leave Washington to-
morrow direct for Tampa
The department has made a great many
changes in the original programme laid
down for the concentration of troops, and,
as indicated in these dispatches yesterday.
many bodies of volunteers that were orig
inally slated for one Of the great concen-
tration camps have found themselves
suddenly under orders to proceed direct 10
Southern points, so that soon volunteers
from the East and Middle West will be
moving swiftly to Florida and the Gulf,
while from the far West the cars will be
carrying troops to San Francisco.
To-day's news, in connection with the re-
newal of Gen. Miles orders to Tampa is
pretty substantial evidence of a very ear
ly movement of troops in strong force to
Cuba, while the Philippine programme
has been definitely fixed for some days.
Contrary to the expectations the day
passed at the navy department without
news from Admiral Sampson. Notwith-
standing what appears to be conhrmatory
newspaper advices relative to the
presence of the Spanish Cape Verde
fleet at Cadiz the navy depart
ment officials are beginning to entertain
strong doubt of the accuracy of the re-
port. 1t was not possible during the
course of the day to obtain anything like
an official confirmation of the report re-
celVed yesterday, but this is not to be
wondered at in View of the success which
the Spanish government has so far met
with in keeping secret the movements of
its naval ships.
Until news comes from Admiral Samp-
son of his doings in and around Porto Rico
II cannot be said definitely what pro-
eramme shall be decided on as regards that
island. 1t has been suggested that some
ot the troops now being hurried to the Gulf
coast may be intended to cooperate with
Admiral Sampson in the reduction of the
Iortihcations at San Juan de Porto Rico
ana the subsequent occupation of the ISL
and. It is felt that the admiral will be in
rather dlsagreeable plight supposing
even that he managed to reduce the forts
with his fleet, IL he were obliged to remain
there in occupation of the place for lack
OF troops when he might otherwise be
urgently needed either on the Cuban
coast or somewhere in the Atlantic to
meet the Spanish fleet.
An evidence of the wisdom of having the
troops transports near at hand in such
cases is shown by the predicament Admiral
Dewey Is believed to be in at Manila,
Where for lack of troops he is unable to
occupy the town and to prevent atrocities
"hlch the insurgents are capable Of work.
Ang upon their helpless Spanish foes.
me revival of doubts as to the where
soouts of the Cape Verde squadron caus-
ca renewal of anxiety as 10 the Oregon.
Inc ship was at Bahia at last accounts.
ana Is believed to have started day or
Two ago up the Brazilian coast to Join
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron in the West
Indies. She win have to make a run Of
S'OOO miles which win occupy the Oregon
ABOUT ten days only, as she Is Ia fine fettle
ana averaged thirteen knots an hour on
the long run around from San Francisco.
However, II Is believed that Admiral
sampson is as we'll posted as any one IN
Washington as to the conditions existing
ih the West Indies, and he doubtless will