The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-18

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE returs
of General Miles to Washington from
Tampa to-day had an inspiring effect
upon the war preparations. The General
had u busy day, calling upon Secretary
Alger. consulting the chiefs Of the STAN
departments and giving ihe department
the benefit OF his observations at Tampa.
Secretary Alser said that no was entire
ly satisfied with tho condition OF the
troops as reported by General Miles and
wished that he had the means to pro-
vide every one OF the volunteer soldiers
a daily surf bath such as was enjoyed
by tine men at Tampa.
General Miles is yet 10 have a confer
ence with the President. In the mean
time tho plans are moving forward
steadily for sending further expeditions
both TO Porto Rico and Cuba.
There Is little likelihood that a second
expedition OF 5000 men 10 reinforce Cen
eral Shafter az Santiago will leave within
the next few days. as has been reported.
The necessity OF sending these additional
forces is questioned by high military Of
hrials and, moreover, the means OF
transporting such force are not availa-
Bile
THE LARG EST EXPEDITION YET.
Tho main consideration just at present
Is the equipment OF an expedition OF
greater dimensions than any heretofore
discussed. with Porto Rico as the objec-
tive point
A month ago the military authorities
were satisfied that a small force would
DO sufficient to occupy Porto Rico. as the
Spanish force there did not exceed 5000
or 90 60 men. Now, however the Span
ish garrisOns have been 80 reinforced
and defences strengthened that II Is be-
kovcd a much larger invading army VIII
be required. Moreover. the officials were
satisfied. on learning to-day that the
Cadz fleet had sailed. mat the ships
would 20 20 Porto Rico rather than 10
Cuba III they crossed TO this side. IL
was pointed out that this A0ye would
be the natural strategic one for the
Spanish commanders 20 take. as there
was still something left for them % save
IN Porto Rico.
GENERAL MILES NON-COMMITTAL.
General Miles would speak only in the
most general way as 20 prospective army
movements when asked as 20 recent re-
ports that largo bodies OF troops were
about 20 be concentrated al Florida points
with view 10 starting further armies OF
invasion 10 cuba. Porto Rico and else
where he said "'rhe military campaign
Is proceeding steadily toward is com
plete execution. The sending OF one ex-
podltlon or another Is but a detail. a sin
gle part OF the general plan Of
campaign. or course, II IS more
or less right TO say that the
troops are about 10 be forwarded.
and that expeditions Will be equipped
and sent. That almost goes without say
ing. for when we entered upon wer an
aggressive campaign Was formulated and
approved which contemplated the send
ing OF expeditions and their cooperation
toward the successful prosecution OF the
war Just when these expeditions will
move, and how many men Will accom-
pany them. it Is not desirable 90 say
now, but IL is enough 10 state that the
capaign now entered upon IS 20 be prose-
cuted with the utmost yigor until the end
OF the war"
DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
The naval officials are somewhat puz-
zled az the failure OF the effort 10 ex-
change HObson and his crew just an-
nounced from Havana. OF course. this
IS not permanent. but simply means that
the Havana authorities as yet have not
been authorized 20 exchange prisoners.
The report that came from MADRID was
that the exchange has been authorized
SO IL IS surmlsed that the spanish gov
ernment has not yer found means 10
communicate SIS decision TO General
BlancO az Havana
some OF the naval officials are pulling
long faces over the projected promotions
of Hobson 10 the rank OF lieutcnant com
mander. Not thai they object 20 hls re-
ward but they feel that some means
could be found TO do this without
practically injuring the 30 officers whom
he will jump
WAITING FOR THE TRANSPORTS.
Dewcy's report OF June 18th from Cayiss
lcontfnnsd nm Sixth paxe1