The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-31

new Nork. Way SO.-A special 10 the
Tribune from Washington saysi
The president told some callers
tonight TINT he expected Commo-
dore SchIcy 10 attack Ccrvcrn with
in twenty -four hours.
General Miles made no secret before
leaving Washington OF the immediate de-
parture OF the army from Tampa, though
he declined to encourage any speculation
as to its destination for obvious military
reasons. II is known, however. that ever
since the first reports announcing the az
rival of the Spanish squadron at Santiago
alive to the practically prohbiivo dangers
which would have to be encountered BY an
American fleet in fighting its way past the
elevated batteries and UP the narrow and
tortuous channel of that harbor TO force a
battle with the Spaniards, and has steadily
urged upon the authorities the necessity Of
land attack on the place as quick as pos
sibe, dealing Spain crushing blow
His plans have been fully maured with
that end in view and the only question on
which the departure of the army from
Tampa rested was that of Cervera's indus
putable presence at Santiago with an
American Meet outside with sufficient
power to prevent his egress aud to destroy
him IL he attempted to reach the open sea
to the large quantities OF supplies needed
by the army, whatever its destination have
been stored a member of powerful siege
guns, which will be effective for Smelling
the entire basin IN which the harbor and
city OF Santiago lie when mounted on high
positions among the surrounding hills.
There Is only one contingency that
would operate 10 modify General Miles
plan to land an attacking force en- Santiago
and that may not develop uttl the fles Of
transports under the convoy of Admiral
SIMPSONS squadron arrives OFF Cape Maysi.
in the Wndward passage, coo miles from
Key West and scarcely half a days run
from the proposed landing place on the
coast near Santiago This is the possibri-
the delay in getting at the Spaniards and
in the absence OF accurate knowledge that
military achievements are at hand. may.
on drawing the fire of the batteries, ascer-
tain that their formidabllity has been
greatly exaggerated. and determine TO force
! his way into the harbor and complete the
work without assistance. Should this oG-
bn ,If trap nd ms ar
! irving in the Wndward passage VIII quick
| ly secure tho news from scout ships and the
! alternative destination of Porto Rico will
be at once adopted.
The promptness with which the departure
OF the army from Tampa has been effected,
the last doubt OF Cervera's presence at san
| tiago having been removed, viii perhaps
not be known for several days, although
confidence is expressed that the cc,eFty OF
the movement will prove remarkable in
military annals.
In fact. IL is intimatod In high quarters
that several of the transports have al
ready reached the rendezvous at Key West,
il indeed. the entire fleet Is not already
on tho way
AT Key West an effective addition TO the
landing force has been provided in the
marine corps battalion on the transport
Panther. This force Is composed OF trained
men, especially drilled TO land under fro,
| and IL is expected TO he the first force
ashore. wherever the attack is made.
General Miles counts on the active sup
port OF the insurgent general, Garcia, who
| was visited by Lieutenant Rowan ana 10
whom couriers have already been sent. III
| forming him Of the purpose OF the Amer
lean army to invest Santiago should such
an operation be necessary to destroy Ger
yera's fleet.
/ General Collazo and Colonel Hernandez
OF Gsrcias staff. who accompanied Lieu
| tenant Rowan by way OF the Bahamas 10
Washington, have been constantly COM
| suited by General Miles fer the lat 'nrse
or four days, giving him invaluable In
formation regarding Santiago province, aod
they will accompany the expedition from
Tampa and act as guides for the army
after the landing is effected
General Miles dispelled all doubts as 70
his own active part in the eSpediticNs<N
announcing that he would be prelarei TO
embark at Tampa on "Wednesday on one
of the fastest small cruisers, which VIII
take him quickly to the scene Of opera
tons
The size OF the force to be landed mor
Santiago does not exceed 1000 .oes II
whom 1t is expected that not over 5000 VIII
actually take part in the siege, tbe fi5ers
being held In reserve for use " extraor-
binary resistance is encountered.
The outlook. however. Is for auick and