Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-06-02
harbor, after the American fest has

now be ended by demolishing the forts
at the entrance of the harbor of San
tiago, blockading the channel and
isolating the Spanish fleet until the
other problems of the war are worked
out. This, however, is not in the line
with American policy, and simply &C
cepting the view Of the situation taken
by the naval experts, Admiral Cervera
will have to accept battle at once. 1t
is confidently expected that a hard
blow will be struck within three or four
days, and that the result will be known
to the world at large at the expiration
of that time. 1t has not been disclos-
ed whether Commodore Schley is to be
reinforced. but it would not be sur
prising if some additional ships were
sent to him.
Prevailing opinion, official and
otherwise, among White House callers
is that a movement against Porto
Rico will be made by both army and
navy this week, and that the subjuga-
ton of that island will be accomplish
ed before the reserve squadron arrives
on this side from Spain
This opinion is based almost wholly
upon apparently authentic statements
in the past that there would be NO
invasion of Cuba until an army of
100, 900 men is ready; and that no at
tempt would be made to establish a
base of supplies with a few thousand
men.
1t is now an indisputable fact, it is
said, that it will be several weeks be-
fore 100, 900 men are equipped for an
invasion. The time before this can be
done is even estimated at from thirty
to forty days, with at least ten days
more to transport troops.
The President, it il said, sees all
this clearly, and does not want to wait
q month or more without striking a
blow at Spain which may end the war.
He does not want the war prolonged.
II everything was ready for Cuban
invasion he would know that this
would probably end the war. While
the interval of getting 100000 men
ready for Cuba Is open for action oil
some sort, and it cannot be had al
sea, Porto Rico presents itself as the
field for aggressive, quick and short
work. 1t is one of SPANS eyes in the
West Indies. BY closing that eye the
enemy will be all the more inclined to
stop the fight before the other il
damaged.
The military invasion of Cuba, it is
stated began on Monday. Early that
day the troops that have been gather.
ed at gulf ports began TO break camp
and march aboard transports waiting
to carry them to the enemy's territory
About 25 of these ships, the biggest
and fastest that could be obtained
suitable for the purpose, had been
gathered ready to receive the troops.
They will accommodate about 10000
men, for in short voyage like that
from one of the gulf ports to Cuba it
is possible with safety and comfort to
carry much larger number OF men
aboard ship than would be admissible
in the ease of cruise to the Philip
pines.
How many troops started, where
they took ship and where they are
bound are questions which the direct
ing spirits of the campaign refuse to
answer. They have no desire that the
Spanish should have an opportunity
to gather forces to attack the Ameri
can soldiers as they land.
1t is probable there will be four sep
arate military expeditions and thai
shese will be landed at four different
places. Whether Porto Rico is one Of
these places or not cannot be learned.
Arrangements have been made tG
utilize the services of the insurgents
to the largest possible extent. The
government has already sent expedi
| lions to a large number of places in
Cuba and landed arms for the insur
gents, Most Of the expeditions sue
ceeded perfectly in their object and il
! was sa at shs ~ or Department thai
a snffic AZ un1ADsr of the insurgents
have Eeer aEzse@ to constitute al
sieetiy apaSts t the troops ar they
land.
Although &. ~ eiais will not stats
| how ma 65gs are available foi
immediate active service, it is roughly
estimated that there are about 20,00l
regulars and $4,000 volunteers at Tam
pa These include II regiments oil
regular Infantry, IA regiments of vol
unteer infantry, IL battalions af artil
lery and regiments Of regular cavalry
Back of this force are other available
regiments at Mobile, New Orleans and
other places easily accessible to Tam
pa. Still further back is the large
volunteer camp at Chickamauga
comprising about 42, 600 infantry vol
unteers, 1000 cavalry volunteers and
regiments of artillery volunteers. Ii
is understood to be the plan to have
the troops at ChIckamauga take the
places of those at Florida ports as fast
as the latter leave FOR active service,
thus keeping large force always
ready for embarkation from Florida.
Aside from the troops already speci-
fed, there are $4,000 men at Camp
Alger, near Washington. and lesser
bodies of troops on Long Island and
in various States. The rs 600 volun
toers under the recently issued second
call constitute still another reserve,
which is yet to be organized and
equipped.
Gov. Stephens of Mo-, has offered
the command of Missouri regiment
to VIM. j. Bryan of Nebraska, ''in
view of the fact that he (Bryan) can
not lead a regiment from his own
state.''
The British steamer Restormel was
brought to Key West Tuesday morn
ing, under her own steam, by a prize
crew. She was captured by the aux
Hilary cruiser st. Paul, while trying to
put into Santiago with a cargo of coal
The steamer was bound from Cardiff
for Porto Rico. The steamer was cap
tured under the very guns of Moro
Castle at Santiago. She carried 2,4O0
tons Of the best Welsh coal, presuma
bly, for Ceryera's fleet. The st. Paul
had been lying off Santiago six days,
and early last Tuesday the big collier
was sighted making at full speed for
Santiago harbor.
General Lee is at Jacksonville on the
eastern side of the Florida peninsula to open
headquarters there. There can be but one
inference drawn from that movement, name
", that Jacksonville is to be made base
of operations against Porto Rico. For that
purpose the town is admirably situated, in
fact, it far surpasses Key West as a base
for operations even against any of the east
ern points of Cuba. The terminus of an ex-
cellent railroad system leading from the
north and west. with good steamboat con-
neetions with New York. with navigable
river affording good harbor and distant in
an air lire only 200 miles from San Juan,