Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-31


Forccs-Shafter i'm Command.
WASHINGTON, May S0.--The military
i-..-.. OF Cuba has begun. Unless the
orders u The War Department miscar-
rs 1t au early hour this morning the
troops that have been gathered at the
G.t ports began 20 break camp and
march aboard the transports waiting 10
carry them TO the enemys territory.
About twenty-five Of these ships, the big
gss, and fistest that could be obtained,
suitable for the purpose. had been gath
cred ready 10 receive the troops.
They will accommodate about 10000
m.a for in a short voyage like that from
one of The Gulf ports 10 Cuba it is possi-
DIE. with safety and comfort, to carry
much larger number Of men aboard ship
than would be admissible in the case Of a
cruise TO the Philippines. for instance.
How many troops started this morning,
where they took ships, and where they
are bound. are questions which the di-
rec.lng spirits of the campaign refuse
sire that the Spanish should have oppor-
tuni,y afforded them to gather forces 10
attack our soldiers as they land. There
fore. nothing Of the details of this first
movement can be learned. There is a
suspicion that the start viii be made from
Tampa and Mobile, and it is probable
that in such case the fleets of the trans
ports will converge at Key West, to pass
under convoy Of the warships which Ad-
miral Sampson has provided, to ensure
them against attack at the hands OF
stray Spanish cruisers or gunboats.
FOUR EXPEDITIONS.
1t is probable that there will be no less
than four separate military expeditions |
end that these viii be landed at four diff |
ferent points. Whether Porto Rico is one |
az these points or not cannot be learned. |
Before the entire force which IL is pro- |
posed 20 use in Cuba can be landed the |
transports must make four separate voy-
ages across the straits.
Arrangements have been made 10 uu-
LIE the service OF the insurgents TO the
greatest possible extent. The govern
mcnt has already sent expeditions to a
large number OF points on the island and
landed arms for the insurgents. Most OF |
TIE parties succeeded perfectly in their
object. and It was said at the War De-
: 1rtment to-day that a sufficient number
az the insurgents have been armed TO
constitute a very effective support for the
troops as they land.
a war conference was held at the White
House AT 3 o'clock this morning be-
tween the President and his two war
secretaries, Alger and Long. and Major
General Miles in command of the army. |
Vlce-President Hobart, who accom-
p ruied the President to Arlington and
turned with him to lunch, was present
a part Of the time, and Secretary Day,
who had just returned to Washington,
also dropped in during the conference.
CERVERA'S REMOVAL"
After the entire situation, naval and
had been gone over, Secretary
Long retired and Secretary AIger and
5.Heral Miles remained 10 discuss more
10 detail the military operations now
bout TO be put into execution. as re-
slt Of the definite official information
hat the Spanish squadron is securely
.,d within Santiago de Cuba harbor.
Naturally those who participated in {
le conference observed strict reticence
aearding it. 1t was stated, however, !
n an authoritative quarter, that the
scussIon had covered the entire range
D.. naval and military operations, with {
ar,icular view to the active movements Z
bout 10 begin. General Miles brought !
.ih him a memorandum showing the ,
zact disposition Of the military forces =
1w concentrated at various points I
lrolghput the country. with the number I
z men at Tampa and other southern I
auts ready for embarkation. He also
ade known that az 1 o'clock this morn i
r Immediately following the receipt Of d
finite Information as 20 the presence OF Il
be- Spanish feet at Santiago, he had 0
IHe 70 the War Department and had L
gcd telegraphic orders putting the n
oops in motion. thus starting the for fl
ard movement Of the military arm OF II
e service. Further than this. those at 81
aI.nq the conference would not discuss ~
..r plans. r
REGULARS FIRST If
d was said at the War Department that
e chief reliance would be placed -
The outset on the United States regu- b.
rs. most af whom are centered IN 10
orda. and in such volunteer regiments az
are thoroughly equipped and reason -
y well seasoned for service. ~
Although the officials will not state va
w many troops are available for inn IS
.diate active service. It Is roughly es- DO
mated that there are about 5000 resu- ID
b.. and 1900 volunteers at Tampa
e infantry force is about %.OcO men,
cavalry about 1000 the artillery vi
out 100 How many OF these nave
10 or will DE dispatched to any given .,s
nt or TO several points. Is not as ha
sed II is a part OF the secret cam of
sn plan Of the government Back OF 70
+ force are other available regiments ~
Mobile. New Orleans and other IN,
MS. easily accessible TO Tampa sim a
ther back is the large volunteer camp bii
Chlekamauga, comprising about A0V'V iss