Evening journal., 1898-07-15
NOW FOR PORTO RICO
Santiago's Fall Hastens the
Invasion.
CAMPAIGN TO BE BEGUN At ONCE.
Miles VIII Assume Command and Troops
VIII Ee Embarked as Fast as Pos
sible - San Juan an Easier
Mark Than Santiago.

WASHINGTON, Juig 15.-The first
chapter in the land campaign Of the
United States against Spain closed yes
terday, when the Spanish colors gave
place over Santiago to the American
flag. Next viii follow the transporta-
tion OF the Spanish troops back TO their
native lapd and the capture Of the is-
land Of Porto Rico unless peace soon
intervenes.
Next is Porto Rico" said Secretary
Alger after receiving the news of SAN
tiago's formal surrender, "and then, If
need be, Havana"
The secretary was in excellent spir-
its. He has been more anxious than he
dared show as to the condition of our
sick soldiers and looked with apprehen-
sion upon the possibility of a prolonga-
tion Of the struggle in the unhealthy
valley of Santiago. The secretary said
that the Porto Rican expedition would
go forward Immediately. 1t will COM
prise new men entirely The warriors
In the trenches before Santiago have
distinguished themselves. and it is not
deemed prudent to bring them in un-
necessary contact with new troops in
view Of the danger Of spreading con-
tagion. The sick soldiers Will be nurs-
ed 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 dis
patches Wednesday. two Of these regi-
ments are already under orders TO pro-
ceed The Porto Rican expedition Will
be commanded by General Niles in per-
son. though General Brooke, now in
command at Camp Thomas is expected
to be his main dependence. The size Of
the expedition viii depend upon Gem.
eral Miles wishes, although it is be-
lieved that $4,000 men will be sufficient
for the purpose. At San Juan the navy
will be of greater assistance than it
was at Santiago, owing to the possi-
biity Of approaching the town more
closely without risling contact with
the mines. General Brooke is now or
his way to Washington by direction OF
Secretary Alger. so that he will be in a
position to make his views known to
the department.
The experience gained in dispatching
Shafter's expedition. it is expected. VIII
aid the officials in their determination
to make short work Of the Porto Rican
affair. There will be plenty Of trans
ports available for the expedition, as
the government has devised other
means of removing the Spaniards cap
tured at Santiago to Spain than by
carrying them on these transports.
That the navy is ready TO do its share
at short notice goes without saying.
Porto Rico is not expected to offer a
very formidable resistance 1t Is be-
J Al -.
render at Santiago win be to discour-
age the defenders Of San Juan. There
is. however always the prospect that
peace may ensue before hostilitles have
/ progressed against Spain's easternmost
West India island.
Rumors We're afloat yesterday after
noon to the effect that the Spanish gov
ernment at last had made overtures in
the direction Of peace, but their basis
probably was the current belief that one
more reverse to the Spanish arms would
be sufficient to compel the Spanish gov
ernment TO sue for peace, and this re-
verse was furnished by the surrender
of Torars army. The navy department
has not been affected by these rumors
to the extent of relaxing any Of its pre-
cautions or abandoning any of its plans,
for Secretary Long stated unequivocal-
ly yesterday that Commodore Watson's
| eastern squadron would certainly go to
Spain as soon as II could sail
In the matter Of transports the de-
parfmcnt Is fully prepared for the next
move. The acquisition recently of a
number Of transatlantic liners capable
Of carrying several times as many men
as the smaller transports has put It on
an excellent footing. and it was an
nounced yesterday that no more ships
were being bought for the Atlantic
/ coast Many of the transports which
carried soldiers 20 Cuba are now being
used for other purposes. chief among
which is that Of bringing the sick and
wounded TO the United States. The
/ ships available by the department are
distributed about as follows: Twenty
five at Santiago, - at Tampa, three at
| Charleston, four at New York. four at
Key West and others en- route to and
/ from different ports.