The record-union., 1898-05-26
Porto Rico Now Said TO Be the First Point
of Attack.
Indications That Within Few
Days the Island Will be Invaded
by American Troops, the Inva-
sion of Cuba to Follow Soon
After Sampson Takes Possession
of San Juan.

WHICH Was not limited TO the nlSneI
officials, but included every individual
in both services, gave every indication
of important and immediate devolp-
ments in the conduct of the war, while
an unusual secrecy served to strength
en- the impression that prompt and en-
ergetic action along the whole line in
the West Indies had become a question
of hours rather than days.
Rumors, too definite to be ignored
but impossible of official authentica-
ton, explained the remarkable hurry
and hustle as due to the President s
determination to have Porto Rico oc-
cupied by American soldiers without
further delay, and that the troops
which had been concentrated at Gulf
ports for the invasion of Cuba We're
to embark Immediately on the twenty
transports which had been secured and
under convoy of Admiral Sampson S
squadron be sent at once to seize San
Juan de Porto Rico and establish a per-
manent colonial Government in the ISL
and similar to that which General Mer-
rift is charged with creating in the
Philippines.
However startling the report its
|
tive strength through the reluctance
of every high official to deny it, while
many Senators and other prominent
civilians having influential relations
with those carrying on the war not
only affirmed the existence of the sug-
gested plan, but gave cogent reasons
for its sudden adoption by the authori-
ties.
1t was said that the events of the
last few days in Cuba, eliminating il
the uselessness to Spain of Cervera'S
fleet, securely 'corked up at Santiago
and the destruction of untrammeled
cable communication between the colo
nes and Madrid, gave every assurance
of the speedy collapse of Spanish re-
sistance to the inevitable, and that the
United States Government had awak-
ened to the necessity of actually posses
ing Porto Rico before the end came
That island and the Philippines had come
to be looked on as an essential recon-
pense TO the United States for it's eX-
pensive Intervention in behalf of Cuba's
freedom, and the fear had arisen that
unless they We're actually secured be-
fore Cuba fell, embarrassing compiica-
tions, leading possibly to grave inter
national complications with European
powers might not be avoided.
With the Spanish military forces al
Havana effectually isolated, and with
out even remote hopes of re-enfOrce-
ments, with Spain's naval force this
side of the Atlantic completely para
lyzed, and with the Madrid Government
already tottering in 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 many
other causes which operated to delay
the invasion of that island. with the
insufficient force of trained regulars
which it had been possible to cOncen-
trate at Tampa in a single month,
wholly disappears as factors of delay
in the Porto Rican project.
The military authorities expressed Su-
preme confidence in their ability to
sweep the Spaniards from Porto Rico
with the men now at their command,
while still reluctant to attempt the
greater task of establishing a position
in Cuba with the same force. With the
1900 well equipped and seasoned reg
uar 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 We're
given to the President that there would
be no possibility of a reverse at San
Juan de Porto Rico after the batteries
had been reduced by SIMPSONS ships.
The withdrawal of these forces, it was
Il, hp
pick of the volunteer army at the Gulf
ports. while scarcely a days journey
away were the forty regiments of in
fantry nine light batteries of artillery
and eight troops of cavalry in the
Chickamauga camp, rapidly being
trained in effective corps, with the GER
tainty of becoming speedily ready to
meet any emergency that might con-
front the Government should Cuban oc-
cupation become necessary.
When the excitement in the War De-
rartment over the Porto Rican eXpe-
dition was at its hight, the Presidents S
proclamation calling for an additional
force of 10000 men was issued. This
action confirmed the prevailing i'm
preston that aggressive movements
were Immediately concentrated, es-
pecially as it had already become
known that the authorities were agreed
upon a strength of about 215,000 men
20 carry out the responsibilities which
it had become evident the Govern
ment had already incurred. The divi-
sion of this aggregate force had been
determined upon at yesterdays Cabi-
net meeting in practically the following
preparations: Philippine occupation.
- 600; Porto Rico occupation, 10000;
Cuba 100000; reserve and home de-
fense, 125.000
This estimate for the Cuban army Of
invasion 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
pl esence there for some time to come Of
at least 100 regiments, and that little
or no reliance can be placed on the
capa city of Cubans for government
for at least year or two.
AS regards Portoa Rico, 1t is not be-
lieved that the inhabitants will be able
to maintain Government of their own
in less than a generation, and practic-
ally the same conclusion is reached re-
garGing the Philippine Islanders.
The necessity of 125.000 men under
arms at home, at any rate until some
time after permanent peace has been
assured, is recognized, as we'll as the