The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-12
ALMOST READY TO INVADE

Washington, May ia final decision
has been reached that General Hiles and
his staff will leave tomorrow night for
Tampa, preparatory TO moving to Cuba
later.
| Key West, Fla, May 11.-It is said here
that If the report that the Spanish feet
has returned to Spain proves to be cor
rect an active movements against Cuba
may occur within 48 hours. 1t is possible
that Rear Admiral Sampson at Porto
Rico, and Commodore Remey, here, may
strike simultaneously.
II it were decided to land troops at
Bahai Honda, Matanzas or any other
point, the vessels here. with the ships on
the blockading station. would have no
difficulty in covering a landing, with the
aid of the heavy armored fighting ships.
The monitors. with their heavy guns,
could stand close in and with impunity
proceed to the demolition OF the fortifica-
tons. while the gunboats and lighter YES
sels poured in their shots from off shore
Naval officers here believe the defenses
at any point except Havana could be re-
duced by the ships now here and on the
Cuban station in half an hour.
There is no definite Information as to
when the troops at Tampa will be en-
barked.
Tampa Bay Hotel, Tampa, Fla, May II.
Everything possible is being done to
facilitate the work Of landing the trans
ports at Port Tampa, with ammunition
and supplies for the expedition All las,
night and all Of today, hundreds of men
were kept busy unloading the war ma
terial from the freight cars and carefully
slowing 1t away. This part Of the work
VIII be practically concluded by tomor-
row night and the ships now In the slim
will drop anchor in the bay to make room
for other transports. The Orizaba is ex-
pected up from quarantine tomorrow. This
is one of the largest transports engaged
by the government and will be used for
carrying infantry. A number of Hotch-
kiss quick-firing guns were loaded on the
Florida today. The big siege guns, four
OF which have arrived here, have not vet
been unloaded from the cars. They will
be loaded on some of the large vessels.
probably on the Orizamba
Lieutenant ]. D. Miley, of General Shat
ter's staff, who was sent TO Washington
Saturday-.with the reports of CAPTAIN
Dorst and Lieutenant Colonel Ilawton
and the plans for the Cuban campaign.
returned today bearing with him a big
bundle of maps and documents and imme-
diately reported to General Shafter. 1t
is now believed that the two Cuban regi-
ments will accompany the regular troops
to Cuba. They have all been armed with
Springfield rifles and under almost in
cessant drilling. are rapidly being pound
ed into shape.
New Orleans, May 11.-Of1cers at the
fair grounds of the regular and volunteer
forces were waiting anxiously today for
some news confirmatory of the press dis
patches intimating that troops were to be
sent to Cuba very shortly. If any orders
had been received, however, they had not
been given out.
The work of mastering the Louisiana
guards is progressing rapidly and the reg
iment of volunteers is also being steadily
in numbers The announcement
that Iowa, Illinois and Indiana troops
have been ordered TO New Orleans has
stirred the officers at the fair grounds to
activity and preparations are being made
for the encampment of the western troops
PR vided that they are 10 remain here for
any length of time before taking trans
p for the islands. The grounds and
accommodations here are ample for sew
eral thousand troops that have been or
dered TO New Orleans.
Mobile. Ala, May lin the camps of
tn : regulars and volunteers all was quiet
this morning. No orders to move had beer |
received at either camp. although the of1- !
GERS were looking for them at any no
ment, and were ready to go to the front |
promptly. With the regulars and state |
troops combined. there are 5000 men en-
cam1ed here.
Washington. May 1.-THE Fifth regi- !
ment Of United States cavalry scattered |
at various posts throughout Texas with 1
headquarters at Fort Sam Houston has /
been ordered to proceed Immediately 10 /
New Orleans. Later Il will be sent 20 l
Cuba, although it IS not yet settled /
whether the regiment will be part OF the /