Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-07-30
NILES EXPEDITION.
Nothing New Heard About the In.
vading Army Of Porto Rico.
MILITARY MOVES TO Be RUSHED.
Il IL Not Expected BY the War Department
That Gen. Miles win Attempt 70
Bring on . General Engage
ment Before Next Week.

Washington, July 2S-Nothing was
heard from the Miles expedition yes.
terday ut the war department, but
Capt Higginson, the senior officer OF
the naval convoy, forwarded brief
cablegrnm that gave keen delight to
the navy department because OF the
unstinted praise 1t accorded to popu-
lar and dashing young officer, "Dick'
Wainwright, tho commander OF the
little Gloucester. Wainwright, having
been commended by his superior, Hig-
ginson, for his actions Mt Guanica, en-
joys the solitary distinction OF being
the only officer attached to SIMPSONS
fleet who has been twice officially COM
mcnded since the war began.
The war department has reconciled
itself to the summary change In its
plans made by Gen. Miles when he
landed Mt Guanica instead OF on the
northeast coast Of Porto Rico, us pre-
viously agreed upon. 1t Is su rmised
that he was led to make this change
by reason OF the detention OF his light
ers, and forcsaw weeks delay In eff
fecting a landing unless he went In
where he did and ran his troops and
artillery directly ashore. lie thus has
avoided exposing his troops to the
hardships suffered by Skaters men,
us they lay for so many days off Santi-
ago. 1t is also suggested that the
general had scored an important dip
lomatic advantage in setting foot up
on Porto Rican soil before the first
overtures had been received from Spain
looking towards peace.
The departure Of Gen. Brooke and
Gen. Gaines from Hampton roads,
which is expected to-day, to reinforce
Gen. Miles in Porto Rico is very sub
stantial evidence OF the purpose OF the
government not to abate the prosecu-
tion OF military operations Mt this
stage OF the negotiations. The two
generals arc embarked on rapid liners
and should reach Gen. Miles by next
Monday, putting him in possession OF
n sufficient force to begin the move-
ment upon San Juan at once.
While the war officials are reason
ably certain that Gen. Wilson, with
that part OF the Porto Rico expedition
which sailed under his command from
Charleston. has already formed a juno
ton with Gen. Miles and his army ut
Guanica bay, no information to that
effect has been received. Gen. Miles
in formed the war department that he
had sent vessel to meet Gen. Will
sons expedition and guide 1t to Guam
len. This was done because Gen. vii.
son expected, when he left Charleston,
to land at Port Fajarde. As the plans
of Gen. Miles were changed after Gen.
Wilson was beyond reach of telegraph
ic communication, II became necessary
to intercept him.
1t is expected that Gen. Schwan and
his command will arrive at Guanica
to-day, or at the latest Friday. Fol-
lowing Schwan, Gen. Brooke, who Is
scheduled to sail from Newport News
early to-day. will arrive ut the rem
devious not later than Sunday morn.
ing. 1t Is not expected by the war de-
partment officials that Gen. Miles will
attempt to bring on general engage
ment before the latter part OF next
week.
The Spanish troops in Porto Rico, II
was reported, are being drawn from
the outlying towns, and are concen-
trating upon San Juan. The defenses
, of the capital are being strengthened.