Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-16

Washington, June -. = Out Of the
maze Of doubt and confusion as to the
army Of invasion of Cuba, one thing
stands out clearly that the government
is sure Of its position anu it is moving
with care and caution, which it be-
lieves will attain the object without
disasters. The officials of the army
and navy are cooperating toward the
dispatch Of troops, some $4,000 in
number, under escort of strong fleet
of naval conveys, made up of sixteen
warships, headed by the battleship
Indiana. Unattended by this strong
fleet the troops might have left Friday,
when one strong naval convoy was
ready for this service. Since then
there have been reports of Spanish
vessels in the vicinity of the straits of
Florida. Realizing that nothing was
to be gained by haste and risking
danger, it was decided not to take the
one small chance of having troop
ships menaced by scout ship of the
enemy. AS result the transports
have not proceeded to Cuba either
yesterday or the day before as has
been repeatedly asserted. They are
in readiness to go but will not move
until the naval convoy is ready to ac-
company them,
Assuring safcConduct
from Florida to the point of destina-
tion. Whether that will be to-day or
tomorrow the war department de-
clines positively to state, and there is
authority for the statement that re-
ports purporting to give the hour OF
the day when this formidable flotilla
of invasion will start, is not only I'M
warranted, but meets with the most
vigorous condemnation. The admins
tration feels that the time has come
when it is of the utmost importance
when the precise movements Of this
invading fleet should not be published
in this country and thus heralded to
the enemy. The completeness with
which the transport of troops has
been planned is shown in the official
list of transport vessels given out at
the war department. OF this list thir-
ty-four large steamships. varying from
400 tons down to 600 tons, are at
Florida ports ready to carry our troops
to the point Of invasion. There are
some fifteen other craft including ves-
sells suitable for conveying fresh wa
ter, stores, ETC., and for Tightening the
troops and stores from the ships to
the beach when the debarkation be-
gins. The entire transport fleet Of
about fifty steamships, augmented by
the feet Of naval conveys, sixteen in
number, will make
Formidable Marine Procession,
exceeding in magnitude the notable
spectacle of the naval review during
the worlds fair year. The first official
confirmation Of the engagement at
Guantanamo last Tuesday came to
the navy department yesterday and
was made the subject of a bulletin.
The terms in which Admiral Sampson
described the affair tended largely to
take away the large Importance that
had been given it in the unofficial dis
patches. There was a notable failure
on the part Of the admiral to mention
anything of landing, although the
statement that the Marblehead now
holds the lower bay, by implication,
may carry with it the idea that hel
marines are ashore. Elderly naval Of
fcials who have been in Guantanamo
bay describe it as admirably suited to
the reception of transports, with plenty
of water for the biggest of transports
and enough for the smaller class Of
warships that might be used to con-
voy them. The locality is one that
would make good base Of operations
against Santiago itself should it be de-
~ciAcca to attack the latter town bv
troops from the rear instead of by the
warships.