The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-22
PORTO RICO IS NEXT
"And Then, if Need Be, Havana"
Says Secretary Alger.
MILES WILL COMMAND EXPEDITION.
San Juan Not Expected to ouera Very For
midable Recommendations That the
spanish Government Had Made
Overtures for Peace.

Washington, July Is. Next Is Por-
TO Rico" said Secretary Alger, after
receiving news of Sautiago's formal
surrender. And then, if need be, Ha-
vana." The secretary was in excel
lent spirits. He has been more anxious
than he dared to show as the condi-
ton of our sick soldiers and looked
with apprehension upon the possibility
of a prolongation of the struggle liz
the unhealthy valley of Santiago
The secretary said that the Porto Rican
expedition would go forward imme-
diately. 1t will comprise new men
entirely. The warriors in the trenches
before Santiago have distinguished
themselves, and it is not deemed pru.
dent to bring them In unnecessary
contact with new troops in view of
the danger of spreading contagion.
The sick soldiers will be nurscd back
TO health and brought to the United
States as soon as they can be safely
removed. Immune regiments will be
ordered to Santiago to garrison the
town, and, as stated in these dispatches
Wednesday, two of these regiments are
already under orders to proceed.
The Porto Rican expedition will be
commanded by Gen. Miles in person,
though Gen. Brooke, now in command
at Camp Thomas, is expected to be his
main dependence. The size of the ex-
petition will depend upon Gen. Miles
wishes, although it is believed 1000
men will be sufficient for the pur.
pose. At San Juan the navy
will be of greater assistance than
ii was at Santiago, owing to the
possibility of approaching the town
more closely without rislling contact
with mines Gen Brooke is now on
his way to Washington, by direction
of Secretary Alger, so that he will be
in position to make his views known
TO the department. The experience
gained in dispatching Skaters expc.
ditlon, it is expected, will aid the Off
Gals in their determination to make
short work of the Porto Rican affair.
There will be plenty of transports
available for the expedition, as the
government has devised other means
of removing the Spaniards captured at
Santiago to spain than by carrying
them on those transports. That the
navy Is ready to do its share at snort
notice goes without saying. Porto
Rico is not expected to offer very
formidable resistance. 1t is believed
that the moral effect of yesterdays
surrender at Santiago will be to dis
courage the defenders of San Juan.
There is, however, always the pros
pect that peace may ensue before hos
tilities have progressed against Spain's
eastermost West India island Rumors
were atioat yesterday afternoon to the
effect that the Spanish government at
last mad made overtures in that
direction, but their basis probably
was the current belief one more
reverse to the Spanish army
would be sufficient to compel the
Spanish government to sue for peace
and this reverse was furnished by the
surrender of Toraps army, The navy
department has not been affected by
these rumors to the extent of relaxing
any of its precautions or abandoning
any of its plans, for Secretary Long
stated unequvocally yesterday that
Commodore Watson's eastern squadron
would certainly go to Spain as soon as
ii could sail.