The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-27
PORTO RICO TO BE SEIZED.
ARMY OF 10000 REGULARS TO Be
SENT THERE AT ONCE.

n 0EcE 0I lUWsNOU To NEO 10 Au0a
Later on and 125 900 TO BE Held ae
Home as "a Reserve.
New York, May pa Washington spec
ial to the Tribune says: Extraordinary
activity in the war and navy departments
which was not limited to the higher OFF,
cials, but included every individual in both
services. gave every indication of impor-
tant and immediate developments in ths
conduct OF the war, while an unusual ex-
hibition of secrecy served to strengthen
the belief that battle along the whole
line in the West Indies had become a
question of hours rather than days.
"Rumors too definite to be ingored but
lacking Of official authorization, explains
ed the remarkable hurry and hustle as 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 twenty transports which
had been secured, and under convoy OF
SIMPSONS squadron, be sent at once tn
seize San Juan de Porto Rico and estab-
lish a permanent colonial government in
the island similar to that which Gen Mer-
ritt is charged with creating in the Philip
pines.
However startling the report its plaus-
ibllity was given corroborative strength
through the reluctance of every high effi-
cial to deny IL, while many senators and
other prominent civilians having inauen-
tial relations with those carrying on the
war not only affirmed the existence Of the
proposed plan but gave reasons for its
sudden adoption by the authorities
"It was said that the events of the last
few days in Cuba, eliminating in the use
lessness of CerVera's feet securely cork
ed up at Santiago and the destruction
of uutrammelled cable communication be-
tween the colonies and Madrid gave ev-
cry assurance of the speedy collapse OF
Spanish resistance to the inevitable, and
that the United States government had
awakened 20 the necessity Of actually pos
sessing Porto Rico before the end came.
That island and the Philippines had come
to be looked on as an essential recompensa
to the United States for its expensive in
terventlon in behalf of Cuba's freedom,
and the fear had arisen that unless they
were actually secured before Cuba fell,
embarrassing complications, leading possl-
bly, to grave International complications
with European powers, might not be
avoided!
with the Spanish military forces at
Havana effectually isolated and without
even remote hopes Of reinforcements, with
Span's naval force on this side Of the At
lantic completely paralyzed. and with the
Madrid government already tottering iiL
its insecurity of policy, the opportunity
for dealing 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
af.4l. .&aI a.
lay the invasion of that island with tho
insufficient forces of trained regulars
which It had been possible TO concentrate
at Tampa in q single month, wholly dis
appeared 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 tho
men now at their command, while still re-
luetant to attempt the greater task of es-
tablishing a position In Cuba with tho
same force With the 1900 well-equipped
and seasoned regular troops gathered at
Tampa, New Orleans and Mobile, and the
fleet of transports already loading, many
of them, in fact ready to sail from those
points, satisfactory assurances were given
to the President that there would be no
possibility of a reverse al San Juan DO
Porto Rico after the heavy batteries had
been reduced by Simpsons ships. The
withdrawal OF these forces, ii was shown,
would leave 11,000 men, the pick of the vol
unteer army, at the Gulf ports, whlle
scarcely days journey away, were the
forty regiments of infantry, nine batteries
OF light artillery and eight troops of cav
airy in the Chickamauga camp, rapidly be-
Ing trained into an effective corps, with
the certainty of becoming speedily ready
10 meet any emergency that might con-
front the government should Cuban occr-
patton become necessary.
sfNhqn the excitement In the war de-
partment over the Porto Rican expedition
was at it's hight, the Presidents proclama-
ton calling for an additional force Of TO-
600 men was issued This action confirm
cd the prevailing impression that aggress-
i've movements were Immediately contem-
plated, especially as II had already become
known that the authorities were agreed
upon a strength of about 275000 men to
carry out the responsibilities which it had
become evident that the government had
already Incurred.
''The division of this aggregate force had
been determined upon at yesterdays cabi-
net meeting In practically the following
proportions: Philippine occupation, 25,000s
Porto Rcan occupation, 25,0O0; Cuba, l0O,-
900; reserve and home defense, 125,000.
''The estimate for the Cuban army OF
occupation was based on the conviction
which Is now common to all authorities,
both civil and military, In Washington that
order cannot be restored over that large
area of territory without the presence there
for some time to come of at least 100 regi-
ments and that little or no reliance can
be placed on the capacity Of the Cubans
for self-government for at least a year
or two.
LAS regards Porto Rico, It is not be-
lieved that the inhabitants Win be able to
maintain a government OF a. own in
less than a generation, and practically the.
same conclusion Is reached regarding the
Philippine islanders.
''The necessity for 125, 900 men under
arms at home, at any rate until some time
after permanent peace has been assured,
is recognized as well as the necessity for
relieving volunteers after a brief tour of
duty in the tropics and providing prompt
reinforcements should any of the condi-
tions have been underestimated.
Gen. Miles had expected to start for
Tampa last night, but delayed his de-
parture until Saturday night. the Presi-
dent desiring 70 have the benefit of his adj
vice in the meantime It is understood,
however. that the presence of Gen. Miles
lgsaI a., .I.ar.a