The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-14

WASHINGTON. June 13.-The first
army OF invasion TO Cuba Is now well on
It's way. thlrty-two transport ships.
bearing over 1900 officers and men,
conveyed by battleships. cruisers. gum
boats and auxiliary craft, sixteen in
number. having actually sailed from
Key West at daybreak this morning.
An authoritative statement to this et-
feet was made at the war department
to-dny, setting at rest all reports that
the expedition was on Its way or had
landed last week. The authorities make
the announcement for tho reason that
the time for secrecy was now past. as
the scout boats had made cure that the
path was clear, before II, and that no
possible menace could come from the
Spanish ships or troops, even should the
enemy know that our forces were now
advancing against them.j With the e1-
petition on. officials here feel that there
will be period OF comparative inhction
for few days. .IrI3y Thursday at the
latest, the transports will be off Santi-
ago, and large American army will
make Its landing on Cuban soil. Ad-
li!ral Sampson has cleared the way for
this undertaking. and little danger Is
apprehended in getting ashore. 1t will
be after that when the advance Is made,
that the actual dramatic developments
may be expected. BY that time, 1t Is
likely the American commanders will be
in direct cable communication with the
authorities here. Admiral Sampson has
taken the shore end OF the cable landing
al Guantanamo and force OF cable e1-
pcrts are rapidlyfrestoring the line to
working order.
The progress OF this work has been SO
satisfactory that one Of the leading of
fc!als Of the state department said to-
night that 1t was hoped this direct gable
communication would be established by
Thursday. 1t will put an end to the
dearth Of official Information concern
Ing important movements and will en-
able the authorities here to keep In close
touch with, those executing the strategic.
movements.
That cadiz Fleet.
The Spanish cadiz fleet is almost as
much Of a mystery to the naval officers
here as was Admiral Ccrvera's flying
squadron during the two weeks immedi-
ately preceding its inglorious bottling
up at Santiago. To-day a report came
that It was unfit for sea. That would
have been credited except that the de-
partment has had information us late
es Saturday to the effect that the squad
q a ra ~ s,f oy Il oh
10 depart. About week before that 1t
had been told that the CadIz fleet had
sailed. Having In mind these conflict
lng reports, the war board scarcely
knows where to give credence, though 1t
would seem to be IN extraordinary cir
cumstance that the least doubt should
exist as to the presence in. or absence
from the harbor OF q populous city such
as Cadiz OF q whole squadron OF war
Ships. However, the weight OF opinion
seems TO incline to the presence Of the
feet at CadlZ, owing 10 the bad condi-
ton Of the ships. II may be noted. how
ever, that although acting upon this be-
lief. as shown by the beginning OF the
military invasion of Cuba, the war
board Is taking no unnecessary chances
OF a surprise and by means OF scouts
has provided for securing timely warn
Ing OF the approach OF any hostile ap-
lloach 10 the seat OF war
The news OF the attack by the Span
'srds upon the United States marines
al Guantanamo bay Saturday night was
not confirmed by official advices up to
tne close of the day here. However,
there Is no disposition to question Tho
accuracy of the press report and the
news has had a rather SOLDERING effect
upon the element that has insisted upon
rushing troops forward regardless Of
'ne!s unpreparcdness.
Not Agreeable News.
Saturday nights action shows that
The Spanish are not afraid to charge
boldly upon the United States troops
and the prospects of bushwhacklng
warfare disclosed by the Spanish move
hehts are anything but agreeable to the
persons who have been hoping for a
ehort campaign. E
"A good deal of surprise is expressed Mt
.ae failure Of that report to mention
sny substantial aid received from the
insurgents by the United States marines
sunped on Crest hill. Reinforcernents
were sent from our own chips, but 1t
SVeH not appear IN the reports that the
Mefines had help from the men best
sacuiated from their experience in jun
sse iighting to be of service In an en-
.oanler with Spanish guerrillas. With
sty w. any encouragement to the fighting
sso.llty Of the marines, who appear to
ssye acquitted themselves. with the
st.eatest credit 30 far as concerns their
usdVery and steadiness under fire, the
question has been raised in the minds
T., .ne military experts whether. failing
w.. ~ ahy substantial assistance from tho
.unans. who wero reported TO have
ss sseh 30 numerous In the vicinity, west
s.n soidlcrs, trained In Indian lighting,
crouid not be OF more service in a Cuban
;;snslc campaign. Nothing 80 severely
1ee ,s The courage and endurance OF
"oops as to be shot at from cover by
. IN n unseen foe. and only troops trained
sro., ~, latest skirmish drill can render
'"ectiVa service In such attacka.