The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-01
PLANS OF GEN. MILES.
He Is All Ready for the Invasion of
Parts of Cuba.

WASHINGTON, D. c. Nav 31-Gen
Miles made no secret before leaving WASH
lngton OF the Immediate departure of the
army from Tampa, though he declined to
encourage any speculation as to its destina.
ton, for obvious reasons. 1t is known.
however. that ever since the first reports
announcing the arrival of the Spanish
squadron at Santiago last Saturday night.
he has been thoroughly alive to the prac-
t1cally prOhibitive dangers which would
have to be encountered by an American
meet in lighting it's way past the elevated
batteries and up the narrow and tOrtuous
channel of that harbor to force a battle
with the Spaniards, and has steadily urged
upon the authorities the necessity Of a
land attack on the place as the quickest and
most effective method of dealing Spain
a crushing blow.
His plans have been fully matured with
that end in view, and the only question
on which the departure of the army from
Tampa was that of Cerveras indispu1able
presence at Santiago, with all American
fleet outside OF sufficient power to prevent
his egress and destroy him if he ATTEMPTED
to reach the open sea. In the transports
at Tampa, in addition to the large uuan-
titles Of supplies needed by the army what
ever it's destination, have been stored a
number Of powerful siege guns, which will
be effective for Smelling the entire basin in
which the harbor and city of Santiago lie.
when mounted on high positions among tho
surrounding hills.
There is believed to be only single
contingency which could operate to modify
Gen. Miles plans for the land attack on
Santiago, and that may not develop until
the fleet of transports under the convoy
of Admiral SIMPSONS squadron arrives eff
Cape Maysi, in the Windward passage, GEO
miles from Key West, and scarcely half a
days run from the proposed landing place
on the coast near Santiago There is the
possibility that Commodore Schley, impa-
tient over the delay in getting at the Span
iards, and in the absence of accurate knowl-
edge that military reinforcements are at
hand, may, in drawing the fire o. the bat.
teries, ascertain their ability, show definite
ly that it's strength has been greatly
exaggerated. and force his way INTO the
harbor and complete the work without as
sistance. Should this occur. the fleet of
transports and warships arriving in the
Windward passage would quickly ascertain
the conditions from scouts. and the r,ti-
mate destination of Porto Rico will be at
once adopted.
The promptness with which the iepart-
ure Of the army has been effected after the
last doubt of CerveraS presence at San
tiago was removed. will perhaps not be
known for several days. although the celer-
ity of the movement will prove remarkable
in militia circles. In fact, it is reported
in high circles that several of the transp ,rts
have already reached the rendezvous at
already on the way. At Key West an eff
fective addition to the landing force has
been provided in the marine corps bat
talon the transport Panther. This force
is composed Of trained men, especially drill-
ed to land under fire, and it IS expected
to be the first force ashore wherever the
attack is made.
Gen. Miles counts on the active SUPPORT
of the insurgent Garcia, who was visited
by Lieut.: Rowan, and to whom couriers
have already been sent, informing him Of
the purpose of the American army to in
vest Santiago should such an operation be
necessary to destroy Cerveras fleet Gen
Colazo and Col. Hernandez, Of Garcia's
staff, who accompanied Lieut.. Rowan by
way of the Bahamas to Washington have
been constantly consulted by Zen. Miles
for the last three or four days, giving him
Invaluable information regarding Santiago
province and they will accompany the ex-
petition from Tampa and act as guides
for the army after the landing is effected.
Gen. Miles dispelled all doubts as to his
own active part in the expedition by an
nouncing that he would be prepared to en-
bark at Tampa Wednesday in one Of the
fastest small cruisers which will take him
quickly to the scene of operations The
size of the force to be landed near San
tiago does not exceed 1900 men, Of whom
it is expected that not over 5000 will &C.
tua1ly take part in the siege, the others he
ing held in reserve for use if extraordinary
resistance is encountered The outlook
however, is for quick and decisive action.