The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-17
Officials Seem to Have
No Apprehension.
fofNT OF CONCENTRATION.
Criticism Of Cubans Changed by
Reports OF Bravery.
EXPEDITION TO PORTO RICO.

-
Washington. June 17.-The officials are
resting secure in the belief that the
marines at Guantanamo a maintain
themselves easily until the troops ar
rive, and the worst that can be feared
in Manila is not harm to Dewey. but to
the Spaniards in the city. The officials
of the war department do not care to give
out specific information as to when
General Shafter, with his troops. will
land In Cuba, but from signs Of restless
ness exhibited by them II is evident they
would not be surprised to have very i'm
portant news within a day. The naval
officials are confident Sampson will have
established cable connection within that
time, so thai news OF the arrival of the
American troopships OFF Santiago should
not be longer delayed thar the time re-
quired for a dispatch boat to make the
run Of 40 miles eastward along the coast
to the shores of Guantanamo harbor.
where the cable will be working under
the protection Of Colonel H%untington's
marines.
There was an exhibition of feverish
activity at the war department yester-
day SO pronounced as to attract atten-
ton even in these stirring times. 1t was
apparent that renewed efforts were
making to complete the equipment Of
the troops already gathered at the con-
centration points, and that preparations
are in progress to move a number Of
troops. So far, however, II is stated that
no orders have rome out for the actual
movement, n what has been and il
being done In that direction is merely
preparatory. Very likely definite action
will follow a conference which Secretary
Alger and the president will have with
General Miles when he arrives from
Tampa. The general is better aware OF
the state OF the fitness of the troops at
the rendezvous points than anyone else,
and the president and secretary will
probably be bound by what he has to say
in deciding upon the further opposition
Of troops. II General Miles, as Ia thought
to be probable. recommends a further
concentration Of troops on the southern
~scaboard, the new camp at Fernandina
will be made ready for the reception of
the additional troops. The officials have
been forehanded as to this camp. profit
ing by the experience gained in the es-
adjustment of the camps at Chicka-
manga and Camp Alger.
The war department expects to util-
lie approximately IS transports In the
expedition for the invasion of Porto
Rico. This statement seems to indi-
cate hat the Porto Rico army will
equal, II not exceed. In numbers that
which left for Santiago. The estimate
Is made hat the 35 vessels will carry
between 5000 and 10000 men with their
equipments and subsistence. Ahmy
officials say that reports received from
reliable sources show hat the number
of Spanish soldiers in tina country is
probably 10000, although other esti-
mates indicate that there Is consider
ably less than hat number. 1t Is fair
to believe, however. that whenever the
United States army commences active
operations against San Juan, every
available man In that place will be i'm
pressed into the military service. Hence
they feel that the army of invasion
should be Of such proportions as to
leave no doubt Of it's ability to cope
successfully with the enemy.
The president has not yet decided what
measure OF reward shall be melted out
to Hobson for his brave achievement.
The men he led have been taken care Of;
Secretary Long attended to that him.
self. because IT was a matter entirely
within his authority. and they have been
made warrant officers. the ideal of q
sailors ambition. Hobson Is to be adj
vanced; that is settled. The depart
ment called upon Sampson for a recon-
mendation In this case, but in advance
OF Its arrival had about decided TO ad-
vance Hobson 10 numbers, which would
nave placed him Just below Construc-
tor Linnard, when a doubt arose as TO
whether the young man would not pre-
FER a transfer to the line. His relatives
were consulted. among them his uncle.
Representative Pearson OF North Caro-
lima, and 1t was decided to allow Hob
son to take his choice as between the line
and stan. Steps accordingly have been
taken to acquaint him with the Depart
ment's purpose and ask his pleasure IN
the matter.
The work OF the Cubans in reinforc-
Ing the marines at Guantanamo. and
particularly in occupying A~cerraderos,
Is receiving unstinted praise from Of
ficials here. Secretary Quesada and the
Cuban officials also take much satisfac-
tion In these respects. Mr.. Quesada said
yesterday that the Cubans had not seen
ut to reply to criticism current during
the last few weeks al TO the Ineffective
ness of the Cuban soldiers, as they knew
the criticisms were due 20 Ignorance OF
the careful plans. largely matured in
Washington, by which the Cuban forces
were to execute their part OF a well con
sidered program.
But now that the Cuban flag Is float.
Ing over ~Acerradcros," continued Mr.,
Quesada, "all the criticisms are an
swered. Acerraderos is about 15 or q
miles west Of Santiago. and In the por,
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