Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-24
Improvement Announced Friday
RESERVE CAMPS BEING LOCATED.
One of Them Probably to Be Estab-
fnEton

WASHINGTON. d. c., July @.-General
Anes's expedition, in all probability, is
now in tho Mona Passage. between Haiti
and Porto Rico, and will be in sight of the
landing point in the morning.
While this is the expectation Of Secre-
tary Ager. for prudential reasons the
War Department declines to make any
comment as TO the accuracy of the vari-
Gus guesses that have been made in the
effort 10 ascertain just what point has
been selected for the landing place. There
IS likely 20 be Lapse of day or two
between the arrival of the expedition and
the notification Of tho fact to the depart
Inent, unless some merchant vessel cross
ing to st. Thomas should sight the Ameri-
can hotilla. After that, however, the
department will be In the closest com
munication with General Miles, for it will
possess itself of a cable connecting Gene
raj Anles's headquarters directly with the
department.
SCHWAN AND BROOKE DELAYED.
Some parts of the Porto Rico expedition
have been delayed for a few days beyond
the dates fixed for their departure, put in
view of the difficulties of handling large
bodies of men and the supplies for them,
this is not surprising. Thus. Schwan's
troops got away only to-day from Tampa
though It was believed they started yes
terday, while the most numerous de.
tachment of the whole expedition, the
First Division, under General Brooke, will
not be able TO clear from Newport News
before Monday. Still. it is believed indt
they will arrive at FCrto Rico in good
season. and 1t VIII certainly facilitate an
orderly and comfortable landing Of the
troops to have them land in detachments,
instead Of in one vast army, as in the
case Of Skaters army at Santiago.
DOUBT ABOUT CUBAN TROUBLE.
Doubt is cast upon reports of recent
exciting events among the .'ublas at or
near Santiago. owing 10 the failure OF
General Shafter to make any report upon |
them and inasmuch as he has made less |
important subjects matter for dispatches, |
81 is hard to understand why he should |
fail to mention an event OF such impor- |
tance as the reported attack by Garcia
upon Spanish troops on their way to sur
render to Shafter.
HEALTH SITUATION.
There was no health report received
from Shafter to-day, but so far from be-
INK dscouraging. this is believed to indi-
cate the continuance of the improved con-
oiJions reported yesterday ana the day
before as to the health of the camp.
The War Department is now, while
keeping close eye upon General Miles's
expedition. looking with interest for de-
tailed mail reports from General Shafter.
telling Of the engagements preceding and
leading up TO the surrender Of Santiago.
ASTOR BRINGING cAPITULATION.
1t was reported to-day that Colonel J. ,
J. Astor, OF Skaters star, was due in
Washington. bringing with him the full [
'apltulatlon, signed by the commissioners, {
md IL was expected that Skaters pre- :
'eding reports would accompany them. !
However, up to the close of Office hours
o-day which, to the relief OF the hard
worked clerks was o'clock, for the FIRST
line in months. the officer had not ap-
'eared. and the department does not
now where he Is.
Some official papers have come from r
ampson, but TO the great disappointment Il
Z Navy Department officials. the reports v
lose on the day before the famous naval Y
aiile. Some points Of interest contained
them Will be given 10 the public in 7
ne course OF day or two. but they $
hl relate only 10 several fights between
ne squadron and the shore batteries. =
REsERVE-cAHP PLAN. =
1t is the purpose of the War Department r
begin at once the execution of the plans o
e'lsed by Secretary Alger for the crea-
on OF reserve camps, and boards OF
IAN officers are now engaged in various
'eSh'les, looking after suitable camp II
'es' and making the preliminary ar o.
'hSements for acquiring the right TO use =,
'ese places and arranging FOR water Sc
'D0heS The intention is NOT to be la