The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-22
TO PORTO RICO AND SPAIN
Preparations for These
Two Expeditions.
GREATER PRECAUTIONS

SuIt1 IN securing OnSoyS@1n Non"
terey Supposed to be 1t Manila
Dewey Now Able to Take Care OF
Himself-Germany Not Unfriendly-
Contract to Transport Prisoners.
Washington. July 20. The war and
navy departments are now engaged in
making all Of the arrangements for
the dispatch OF the Porto Rican expe-
dition and Watson's eastern squadron.
Genera Miles expected departure
was again deferred. The explanation
given IS that there was difficulty ex-
perienced at Santiago in securing the
naval convoy for the expedition. It is
known, however, in addition, that the
president himself has restrained Cen
eral Miles to the extent of adjuring
him in earnest terms not to commit
the Jolly of starting for Porto REQ
without h NEST complete prepara-
ton. The government has profted by
the lessons taught by the Santiago ex-
petition. Aside from the actual loss
of life that might be expected to re-
suit from a badly calculated start. it
is realized that our relations with some
of the European powers would be i'm
paired, in a small measure at least,
by the adverSe moral eff act created by
anything approS ching a defeat for the
American arms at this stage of the
war. Therefore, it is certain that so
far as the department can prevent it,
General 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 SAN
tiagO movement.
THE FORCES UNDER MILES.
General Miles reported this afternoon
that he had with him ten transports,
which are presumed to have aboard
several thousand soldiers, although at
least two of them are filled with equip
ment. The men aboard ship are suf-
fering from delay precisely as did the
soldiers who lay in Tampa Bay be-
fore the departure of the Shafter eX-
petition. Inquiry made at the navy de-
partment to ascertain where the de-
lay la arisen in securing ConVOys
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
AAAOAL |" IL IANA 49,
that he would confer with General
Miles as to the number and charac-
ter of vessels required for that pur-
pose. AS the campaign 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.
DEWEY REINFORCED.
According to the calculations at the
navy department., Admiral Dewey's
| fleet at CaVite should now be rein
! forced by the coast defense vessel
| 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 pow
erful monitor, Dewey will be amply
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 dis
closure by the state department Of the
lack of foundation for the sensational
stories of strained relations with Ger
many, has largely abated the anxiety
entertained at the navy department as
to DeWey's position at Manila.
BID FOR TRANSPORT OF PRISON
ERS ACCEPTED.
II VOL NCpC kltlCiI q
surprised at the number of bids re-
ceived today in answer to it's prOpO-
sails for transporting the Spaniards
now at Santiago to CadiZ. The terms
offered by some of the companies
were also regarded as very reasonable
and as it is desirable to terminate the
present condition of affairs at San
tiago at the earliest possible moment,
it is expected the aware will be made
Immediately. The bid from a Spanish
steamship company was a surprise to
the department officials and at least
one of them thought that it might be
good policy for the government tc
avail of this offer.
Arrangements practically were con
Guided by the government tonight fol
the transportation of the Spanish pris-
oners at Santiago from Cuba to Spain
The contract was awarded to the
Spanish Trans-Atlantique Company
represented by j. NJ. Ceballos & Co.
of New York. The company agrees tt
carry the prisoners from Cuban port:
to Spain at the rate of $40 for each
enlisted man and S55 for each commits
stoned officer, subsistence to be fur
nished by the company on the army
ration basis, as provided for in tn
governments advertisement for bids
The award provides also that the com
pany shall have five ships at Santiag'
in nine days from tomorrow (the 21s
instantly, two in seventee days from
tomorrow and enough to complete tn,
transportation of the prisoners il
twenty-One days from tomorrow.
Two days age Colonel Hecker, il
charge Of the transportation Of troop
in the quartermaster generals depart
ment of the army, went to New YorI
to consult with shipping companie
concerning the transportation of tn
Spanish troops surrendered at Santi
ago. Bids which he had previously ad
. vertised for were opened at the arm
building n New York today. CoiGne
Hecker returned to Washington tai
evening. Tonight he had a ~conferenc
at the war department with Secretar
Alger, Quartermaster General Lud
dington and Adjutant General Corbir
The bids Of the several companie
were considered. that of the SPANS
Trans-AtlantiQue Company fnall
being accepted, as. in all respects,
was regarded as the best made. O
fba hocsC - o. Nna o-l;-&1l