The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-26

washington, July Zo.-lne war ue-
partment was busy to-day hurrying the
dispatch of the remainder of General
Miles expedition against Porto Rico.
Such progress has been made that 1t
hoped that all Of the troops will he on
Porto Rican soil within a week at the
latest.
General Miles is not expected to de-
fer his landing until that time. but pre-
sumably will pick out a suitable place
for encamping his troops and establish
himself ashore. awaiting the arrival of
the other detachments now on their
way. War department officials expect
that the first news received from Cen
eral Miles will be through the press dis
patches. as the general has not with
him. so far as is known. any dispatch
boats.
1t will be at least Saturday before di-
rect cable communication can be estab-
lished with him, and in the meantime
reliance musts be had on the dispatch
boats running across to st. Thomas, dis
tant about four hours run. 1t was ex-
pected in the department that Cen
eral Brooks and General Haines will
sail to-day from Newport News to join
Miles, and that most of General
Brooke's command would be embarked
by Wednesday. The work of embarka-
tion at Hampton Roads is being con-
Quoted with much less difficulty and
delay than was expected. Colonel Heck
er. I'm charge of the transportation di-
vision of the war department. who has
Just returned from that place. has re-
ported to Secretary Alger that IL IL well
suited to the shipment of the troops.
Consequently the secretary TO day or
dered all Of General Grants brigade.
5000 men, from Chickamauga to New
port News. IL is not expected that all
of the transports required for their ac-
commodation had arrived there by the
time the troops get II, but they will en-
camp on suitable ground there and IL
is believed win be benefited by the
change from Chickamauea.
Adjutant-General Corbin, with his
| faithful private secretary. Mr.. Coursey,
last night completed 100 consecutive
| days at the department, and there still
/ Is little diminution i'm the number Of
I telegrams and letters and official pa
| pers pouring in on his office work.
The signal service has succeeded in
reclaiming from the battlefield of sam
tiago the tubes which supplied the mill
tary balloon with pure hydrogen gas,
and they, with the balloon itself have
| been brought over 10 Tampa on the
Anria. The tubes will be recharged i'm
I
he dispatched at once to Porto Rico.
10 assist General Miles In his campaign
there. The balloon is said to have
proved of great value i'm the Santiago
campaign. and from the character Of
the country in Porto Rico where mill
tary operations must be conducted. IL
is believed that II also can be used to
advantage there.
II was announced to-day at the navy
department that the long expected re-
port from Admiral Sampson upon the
destruction of cervera's fleet. with the
accompanying reports of the commo-
dore and captaiRs of his squadron. had
reached the department. IT Is sun
posed TO have been brought by Captain
Sigsbee on the st. Paul which arrived
at New York last Friday. and 70 have
been sent by mail by Captain Sigsbee.
II Is the intention Of the secretary Of
the navy to give these dispatches TO
the public in their entirety.
Secretary Long to-day forwarded to
Admiral Dewey the Joint resolution of
congress extending the thanks of con-
Eress for the victory achieved ar Ca
vite. The resolution was beautifully en-
crossed and prefaced nv n formal at
testation Of it's authenticity by Secre-
tary Of State Day. The whole is en-
closed in rich gilt and ornamented Rus
sia leather cover. IL is to be remarked
that Secretary Long. I'm his letter Of
transmittal. makes reference TO a let
ter from the secretary of state compli-
menting Admiral Dewey upon his di-
rection Of affairs since the great naval
victory. n formal evidence that the
state department Is thoroughly well
satisfied with the diplomatic qualities
he has exhibited. The letter from Sec
retary Long is as follows:
Navy Department. Washington. July
?5.-Sir: The department has received
from the secretary Of state an en-
crossed and certified copy of a joint
resolution OF congress rendering the
thanks of congress TO you and the off,
GERS and men OF the squadron under
your command for transmission TO you,
and herewith enclose the same.
Accompanying the copy OF the joint
resolution the department received
letter from the secretary of state re-
questing that there be conveyed TO you
his high appreciation OF your character
as n naval officer and Of the good iudg-
u'ant and prudence YOU have shown in
directing affairs since the date Of your
great achievement in destroying the
/ Snanish feet. This take great pleas
ure IN doing. and join most heartily on
behalf Of the navy department. as well
| as personally. in the commendation of
the secretary Of state"