The record-union., 1898-05-10
EXPEDITION TO CUBA.
Arms and Ammunition for the In
surgent Forces.

TAMPA (F1a.), May 9.-The steamer
Gussie, one of the Mallory Line boats
chartered by the Government for use
as transport, will sail for Cuba be-
fore morning, loaded with arms, am
munition and supplies furnished by the
Government for the use of the Cuban
insurgents. A company of 100 United
States troops from the First Regiment
of infantry will accompany the expedi-
ton and aid in guarding the landing
of the valuable cargo, and will, if nee
eSSary, penetrate into the interior far
enough to place the supplies in the
hands of the insurgents The expedi-
ton will be in charge Of Captain w. H.
DorSt General Miles aide, who has
just returned from Cuba.
The Gussie has on board between s.
coo and 1000 Springfield rifles, about
10000 rounds of ammunition and sew
eral hundred boxes of provisions, con-
ssting principally of canned meats and
bareback. The utmost secrecy is main
tanned regarding the point of landing,
but in view of Captain Dorst's recent
landing near Havana, where he COM
municated with the insurgent leader,
General Delgado, it is believed that the
expedition will be headed for a point
not far from Havana.
The Gussie had mounted on her for
ward deck to-day one-pounder rapid
fire gun. 1t is understood however,
that she will be met at some point not
far from Key West by gunboat from
the blockading squadron, and escorted
to the designated landing place.
The Whitney, the sister ship of the
Gussie, which sailed for Dry Tortugas
on Saturday with two companies of the.
Fifth Infantry. returned to-day. 1t is
intimated that she will follow the Gus
sic to Cuba as soon as the arms, am
munition and supplies can be loaded
Before a week has passed it Is be-
lieved the insurgent leaders will have
been furnished with arms enough for
at least 1900 men, and with a base
of supplies established on the coast a
vigorous campaign against the Span
ish forces will be inaugurated.
Large amounts of powder and pro-
jectiles for the blockading squadron are
arriving here. On Picnic Island there
are twelve cars loaded with dynamite
torpedoes, powder and other ammuni-
ton, which will be sent to Key West
and as many more cars are on the
Wlidll lIdchS. All extra n6aFy guard
has been placed around the cars Hun
dreds of carpenters are at work to-day
fitting up the big transports. 1t is be-
lieved now that all of the boats here
will be in readiness for loading by
Wednesday night.
The engineer corps to-day were
drilled in the use of the big canvas
pontoons which are a part of their
equipment In the capacous hold of
the Alamo are stored enough of these
pontoons to form a bridge several hun
dred feet in length. They will be car
ried with the expedition.
NO TROUBLE TO COMMUNICATE
WITH INSURGENTS.
WASHINGTON, May 9-Major-G Cen
eral Nunez of the Cuban army arrived
here last night on his return from
landing a party in Cuba. This landing
was made about two weeks ago. after
conferences between General Nunez,
General Miles and Senior Quesada. the
Cuban Delegate, and was for the pur-
pose of opening up communication with
Generals Garcia and Gomez.
After a brief conference with Mr.
Quesada. General Nunez left for New
York, where he will make a report to
President Palmas. The results of ais
trip are guarded with much care by the
Cuban officials here, who deem it in
expedient to discuss what General
Nunez did. 1t is said, however, that
his party found no difficulty in estab-
fishing communication with the Cuban
commanders in the island 1t is under
stood that General Nunez viii continue
organizing parties of Cubans to go to
the front, and will have command of
the united Cuban forces otherwise than
those in the field under Garcia and
Gomez