The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-12
LARGE FOOD PURCHASE
PART TO BE SENT TO CUBA AND
PART TO PHILIPPINES.
GEN. MILES LEAVES FOR TAMPA TO-DAY
Troops Expected to Co operate with SIMPSONS
Fleet--DoublS Expressed as to Where
sbouts Of the Spanish FIeet-.Mr,
BeImonts Offer Declined.

U6IttlUUt VHCt DNItlilCde
Washington, d. c.. May 11.-Thc
army movement on Cuba is now fairly
launched and today's news developed q
concerted effort all along the line to be-
gin aggressive operations on big scale
for the ejectment of the Spanish troops
and Government from the Pearl of the
Antilles. An order given this afternoon
by the War Department for the purchase
of 100000 rations is an earnest of the
scale OH which preparations are making
for invasion of Spain's territory. OF this
vast quantity one fourth is to go to the
Philippines, by way of San Francisco.
and the balance to Cuba. For some rea-
son that was not discoyerable there APP
peared to be temporary check in the
practical working out of the plans of the
War Department for this Cuban move
ment. After everything had been made
ready for his departure last night Gen
eral Miles was detained, and for some
time today the rather gloomy prospect of
an indefinite postponement of the first
military expedition was presented Later
on, however. the obstacle. whatever it
nounced that the commanding general
with a numerous staff, would leave
Washington tomorrow, direct for Tampa
The department has made great many
changes in the original programme laid
down for the concentration Of troops
and as indicated in these dispatches yes
terday, many bodies of volunteers that
were originally slated for one OF the
great concentration camps have found
themselves suddenly under orders To
proceed direct to Southern points. so that
soon volunteers from the East and Mid
die West will be moving swiftly to Flor
ida and the Gulf, while from the far
West the cars will be carrying troops to
San Francisco. Today's news i'm connec-
tion with the renewal Of General Miles
order to Tampa, is pretty substantial
evidence of n very early movement of
troops III strong force TO Cuba, while the
PhhIppine programme has been definitely
fixed for some DAYS
Contrary to the expectations the day
passed at the Navy Department without
news from Admiral Sampson Notwith-
standing what appears to be confirma-
tory newspaper advices relative to the
presence of the Spanish Cape de Verde
fleet Mt Cadiz, the Navy Department Of
hcials are beginning to entertain strong
doubt of the accuracy of the report 1t
was not possible during the course Of the
day to obtain anything like an official
confirmation of the official report re-
ceived yesterday but this is not to be
wondered at in view of the success with
which the Spanish Government has SO
far met with in keeping secret the move
ments of its naval ships. Until news
comes from Admiral Sampson of his
doings in and around Porto Rico it can.
not be said definitely what programme
shall be decided on as regards that is
land
1t has been suggested that some of the
troops now being hurried to the Gulf
ocast may be intended to cooperate with
Admiral Sampson in the reduction of the
Notifications at San Juan de Porto
Rico. and the subsequent occupation of
the island. 1t is felt that the Admiral
will be in a rather disagreeable plight.
supposing even that he managed to re-
duce the forts with his fleet. if he were
obliged TO remain there in occupation of
the place, for lack Of troops. wien ne
might otherwise be urgently needed eth
or on the Cuban coast or somewhere in
: the Atlantic to meet the Spanish feet
An evidence of the wisdom of having
the troops transports near ut hand in
such cases is shown by the predicament
ADMIRAL Dewey is believed TO be in at
Manila, where for lack of troops he is
unable to occupy the town and 10 pre-
vent atrocities which the insurgents are
capable Of working upon their helpless
Spanish foes.
Inc revival of doubts as to the where
abouts of the Cape Verde squadron
caused a renewal of anxiety as TO the
oregon. The ship was at Bahia 1T last
accounts, and is believed to have start
cd a day or two ago up the BRAZILIAN
coast to join Simpsons squadron in tbe
West Indies. She will have 70 noLa \
run of 5000 miles, which will occnnv tho
Oregon about ten days only. as sbn ;s in
fine fettle and averaged IL knots an
hour on the long run around from Gan
Francisco. However, it is believed tbot
Admiral Sampson is as well postod oe
any one in Washington as to the condi.
tions existing in the West Indies. and
he doubtless viii do whatever is necex.
sary in his Judgment to safeguard the
ship III her run up the coast.
During the past month the Bureau OF
Construction and Repair of the Nav,
Department spent one million and /
quarter dollars III the repair and outfit
ting Of ships and none of this none,
went to new construction. This is sal,
to be the largest expenditure in this par
ticular line made by the Equipmen
Bureau even during the DAYS of tn
civil war. The Navy Department fel
obliged to decline the offer made b
y