Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-31

Washington, May 30.-General
Miles and his staff, making party
of thirty-four persons, left for
Tampa tonight on a special train
over tee Southern road.
Washington, May S0.-The mil
itary invasion of Cuba has begun.
Unless the orders of the War De-
partment miscarry at an early hour
this morning the troops that have
been gathered at the Gulf ports be-
gan to break camp and march
aboard the transports waiting to
carry them to the enemy's terri
tory. About % of these ships, the
biggest and fastest that could be
obtained, suitable for the purpose,
had been gathered ready to receive
the troops. They will accommo-
date about 10000 men for in a short
voyage like that from one of the
Gulf ports to Cuba it is possible
with safety and comfort to carry
much larger number of men
aboardship than would be admis-
sible in the case of a cruise to the
Philippines for instance. How
many troops started this morning;
where they took ship; where they
are bound are questions which the
directing spirits Of the campaign
refuse positively to answer. They
have no desire that the Spanish
should have opportunity afforded
them to gather forces to attack our
soldiers as they land Therefore,
nothing of the details of this first
movement can be learned. There
is a suspicion that the start will
be made from Tampa and Mobile,
and it is probable that in such case
the fleets of transports will con-
verge at Key West to move under
the ccnvOys of warships, which
Sampson has provided to ensure the
safety Of the troops during the pas
sage across the Florida straits to
ensure them against attack at the
hands Of some stray Spanish cruis-
er or gunboat.
1t is probable that there will be
no less than four separate military
expeditions and that these will be
landed at four differe.t points
Whether Porto. Rico is one of these
points or not cannot be learned.
Before the entire force which it is
proposed to use in Cuba can be
landed the transports must make
four separate voyages across the
straits.
Arrangements have been made to
utilize the services of the insur-
gents to the largest possible ex-
tent. The government already has
sent expeditions to a large number
ot points on the island sId landed
arms for the insurgents. Most of
1ne parties succeeded perfectly in
ther object and it was said at the
war Department to-day that a suffi-
Gent number of the insurgents have
oeen armed to constitute very eff
leclive support for the troops as
they land.
a war conference was held at
me White House. at 3 O'Clock this
afternoon, among the President
@Aa his two war secretaries,
anger and Long, and Major Gen
'Ial Miles, in command of the
army Vice President Hobart, who
accompanied the President OF Ar
"hgton and returned with him to
'0uch, was present a part of the
NHle' and Secretary Day, who had
J0S' returned to Washington, also
dropped in during the conference.
AI'er the entire situation, naval
S"u military, had been gone over,
secretary Long retired and Secre-
Jury Alger and General Miles re-
4''iNed to discuss more in detail
we military operations now about
:" oe put into execution as a result
lHe definite official information
mat the Spanish squadron is Sc
lu'ely held within Santiago har-
WI Naturally those who partici-
'''e0 IN the conference observed
EUicl reticence regarding it. 1t
as stated, however, in an authori-
"'Ne quarter, that the discussion
-'au covered the entire range of
and military operations
"''n particular view to the active
Elements about to begin. Gen.
eS brought with him a men,