The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-15
SHAFTER'S SAIL TO SANTIAGO.
DEPARTURE DELAYED BUT WILL
LAND THIS WEEK.

Marines on the shore of Guanta-
namO Day the Ones VINO win suf-
fer BY the DeIay-War Department
Now Concentrating Its Energies
On the Preparation of the Porto
Ricnn Expedition - Complication
Over Use of Cut Cables Possible.
Washington, June 14-Wlthout reference
to the exact hour at which the United
States army left Florida for Cuba It may
be safely said that before the end of the
week Gen. Shafter will have landed with
his 1900 United States troops on Cuban
soil, and that the investment of Santiago
by land will have begun. There was some
confusion in the official mind here to-day
on the time of the departure of the trans
ports. though assurance was given that
they had all gotten away.
The confusion on this point is easily
accounted for by persons who know any
thing of the difficulties of moving stimuli
taneously a numerous fleet composed of
vessels Of all sizes and classes No less
than three times beginning Sunday was
definite hour selected for the start and
tl4S war department so nOtt0ed.
Yet in each case some untold obstacle
was encountered that required notification
to the department that a postponement
had been forced. Sailors say such delays
are Inevitable and that rarely does a fleet
get off by first intention.
However, the department officials stated
this afternoon that they believed the very
last Of the transports had at last started
for Cuba.
After all the delay of a day or two in
the start is not calculated to make any
material difference In the plans and the
only persons who Will suffer from It win
be Admiral SIMPSONS marines camped
on the tropical bay of Guantanamo and,
obliged to maintain the greatest vigilance
In repelling the bushwhacking Spanish
irregulars, who swarm in the thckets.
This foe gives no trouble during the day
light hours owing to the presence OF the
Marblehead within easy range, but al night
when the men on the warships are unable
to distinguish their own men from the
enemy the lot of the marines is a very
exciting one.
Having started the Santiago expedition
the war department has now concentrated
all its energies on the preparation of the
force to be sent TO Porto Rico. Active
movements In that line have been made
on a scale so extensive as TO lead to the
supposltion In some quarters that the at
tack Is to be made direct upon Havana,
but If this Is so there is no open indica-
ton of 1t.
The volunteers collected at Chattanooga,
1900 In number, are reaching degree Of
excellence under the magnificent manage
ment OF Gen Brooke that would warrant
the government in ordering them imme-
diately into active service, but unfortu-
natey there is still considerable lack Of
equipment that will not permit of this
Gen. Merritt has brought the second in
stallment of his force into readiness and
It calls for Manila tomorrow. II is be-
neVed that the advance guard the three
transports which followed the Charleston
to Honolulu met the cruiser there and
sailed in her company for The Philippines
about the 18th of this month In this
case, it is reasonable to expect them TO
arrive at Manila within a week
The only bulletin posted at the navy de-
partment to-day from Admiral Sampson
contained the satisfactory news that an
American naval officer, Lieut.. Blue, of
South Carolina. at the risk of his life,
had succeeded in encircling the bay Of
Santiago, and counting the Spanish veg
sells therein, with the result of establish
ing the fact that ali of Admiral Cervcra g
fleet were bottled up.
An unexpected complication has arisen
as to the right of Admiral Sampson at
Santiago and Admiral Dewey to use the
cables which each has secdred with
view to bringing them into telegraphc
nit 1agha M eraN harp
1t is understood by officers here that
Admiral Dewey secured the shore end of
the cable leading from Manila to Hong
Kong some time ago and buoyed 1t with
a view to sending dispatches.
The same condition is understood to ex-
lst at Santiago where Admiral Sampson
has buoyed the shore end of the cable
with q view to repairing and using It,
But no messages have been sent and the
question has arisen as to whether IL is al
lowable under the rules of neutrality for
the French and British companies owning
these lines to permit them to be used for
strictly military purposes
The companies control the points of exit
and are able 10 refuse 10 pass dispatches
along. so that the holding of the shore
ends by Admrals Dewey and Sampson
does not permit them TO carry on commu-
nicatlon except through the assent of the
companies These are private concerns, but
they are bound 10 observe the neutrality
of their respective governments.
There is some anxiety, therefore, as to
the course Of the operations of the French
company at Hayti when they receive pr-
yate messages from Admiral Sampson.
Should they refuse to handle them over
neutral lines touching neutral territory,
an Interesting international question
might arise.
The same condition exists as to the Ma
Mia cable and the failure 10 receive dis
patches from Manila IS attributed to the
failure of the British operations at Hong
Kong 10 take the messages.
1t was stated that negotiations were now
progressing which gave promise Of sat
isfactory understanding with the compa-
nies and the forwarding Of such messages
as the American admirals send.
f.MnNERA A'G gHIna