The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-21

The Mistakes Made in the Santiago
Campaign to Be Avoided i'm This
One-Army to lie We'll Supplied
with Food, Tents and Means of
Transportation Before the Cam
pnign Is Allowed to BcGin-The
Monterey Should BE with Dewey
Now-Bids to Transport Troops to
Spain.
Washington, July 2O.-The war and navy
department are now engaged in making
all arrangements for the dispatch of the
Porto Rican expedition and Commodore
Watson's eastern squadron.
Gen. Miles expected departure was again
deferred. The explanation given was that
there was difficulty experienced at Sanu-
ago in securing the naval convoy for the
expedition. II is known, however, in addi-
ton that the President himself has re-
juring him in earnest terms not to commit
the folly of starting for Porto Rico with
out the most complete preparation.
The government has prohted by lessons
taught by the Santiago expedition. Aside
from the actual loss of life that might be
expected to result from badly calculated
start it is realized that our relations with
some of the European Powers would be
impaired in a small measure at least by
the adverse moral effect created by any
thing approaching a defeat for the Amer
lean arms at this stage Of the war.
Therefore, it is certain that so far as
the department can prevent At, Gen. Miles
soldiers will not run short of food, nor
tents to protect them from the tropical
rains, nor of the means Of transportation
that were so deficient at the beginning
of the Santiago movement
Gen. Miles reported this afternoon that
he had with him ten transports, which,
it is presumed, have aboard several thous-
and soldiers, although at least two Of
them are filed 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 expedition Inquiry made
at the navy department to ascertain
where the delay had arisen In securing
conveys was met with the statement that
the orders to Admiral Sampson in this
matter were very general He was SIM
ply directed by the department TO fur
nish a convoy, and it was assumed that
he would confer with Gen. Miles as to the
number and character OF the vessels re-
qured for that purpose. As the cam
paign from a naval point Of view is to be
principally a land movement the naval
officers do not believe a very extensive
convoy is necessary
According to the calculations at the
navy department., Admiral Dewey's fleet
at Cavite should now be reinforced by The
coast defense vessels Monterey, which,
with her tender and collier the Brutus,
has now been about twenty days out from
Honolulu With the addition Of this fine
and powerful monitor Admiral Dewey VIII
be ample able to take care of himself so
long as the naval forces in the Philippines
are maintaining the relative proportion
they now occupy.
However, the disclosure by the state de-
partnent of the lack Of foundation for the
sensational stories of strained relations
with Germany has largely abated the anx-
iety entertained at the navy department
as to Admiral Deweys position al Manila.
The war department was agreeably sur
prised at the number OF bids received TO-
day IN answer to us proposals for trans
porting the spaniards now at Santiago De
cuba to Cadz The terms offered by some
of the companies were also regarded as
very reasonable, and as 1t is desirable 70
terminate the present condition OF affairs
at Santiago at the earliest possible mo-
ment. il is expected the award win be
made Immediately. The bid from a Span
ish steamship company was a surprise 70
the department officials, and at least one Of
them thought it might be good policy for
the government to avail of this offer.
DR.. Greenlears last report 10 Secretary
Alger from the American camp at San
tiago came this afternoon. and was to the
effect that while the yellow fever was
widely spread amoug the troops II was Of
very mild type. Cen. Duflleld, who has
been suffering from the disease, was re
ported to be improving yesterday.
The open statementffrom the Cuban le- |
cation here to-day, made 10 the war de
partmcnt officials that they were prepared /
10 accent as proper tho programme lad /
down by Gen. Shafter for the government /
of affairs at Santiago is but prelude, It |
Is hoped to instructions from that body |
TO The Cuban generals In the field. that |
viii Tend 10 prevent q repetition OF the con- /
duct that has jeopardized the relations |
between the American and Cuban soldiers. |
MILES MAY BE ON THE WAY.