The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-17
Expedition Expected to Sail Within
Two Weeks.
MILES WILL COMMAND
REMAINS IN CUBA IN THE
MEANTIME.
Expected That the Campaign Will Be
Short and Decisive - Artillery
Will Be Brought Around to the
Rear of San Juan and the Fleet
Will Dash Into the Harbor.

Washington, July 16.-Major General
Brooke, commanding the troops at Chick
amauga, was in conference several times
today with Secretary Aiger. The two went
over TO the White House. where Cues-
tons relating presumably TO the proposed
Porto Rico expedition We're discussed ioT
some time. Secretary AiSer and General
Brooke declined absolutely 10 make any
statement regarding the subject
In other quarters, however, there are
evidences that indicate activity IN the
direction of preparation for a prompt for
ward movement. For instance, steps are
being taken TO ascertain and determine
to the entire satisfaction of the war oe-
partment's officials the most available
points on the Atlantic and gulf coasts
from which to embark legions of men
Major General Wilson, now at Charles
ton with a brigade of soldiers, has eX-
pressed the opinion that that place offers
the best harbor facilities for embarkatioa
between there and New Orleans
General Wilson has dispatched an officer
to Newport News to look into the ques-
ton of shipping facilities. harbor. camp
grounds and water supply at that place,
which seems to indicate that the depart
ment is considering the question OF send
ing some troops there for embarkation.
MILES WILL COMMAND.
It is said that General Miles himself will
command the Porto Rico expedition, aided
by General Brooke. The latter Will prob
ably make ali the arrangements necessary
it IS not the present intention of General
Miles to return to Washington before
leaving for Porto RIGA, though of course
there is always possibility that he VIII pc
summoned here by the president for the
purpose of consultation
1t is expected that the campaign in
Porto Rica will be short and decisive.
The troops will be landed at a point near
San Juan with an ample supply of field
artillery and will force their way into the
rear of the town, while the fleet Will
dash into the harbor and make the at
tex in front.
the surrender AT Santiago. it is not ex-
pected that they will offer protracted re-
sistance.
It may be that after General Brooke s
places viii be taken by some of the troops
now lying at Tampa. The conditions at
the latter place are not satisfactory from
a sanitary point of view and the troops,
if not removed to Chickamauga, VIII proo-
ably go from Tampa to Charleston.
1t is understood that two weeks VIII
be required TO assemble the transports.
get the troops ana supplies aboard at
one of the most available seaports Wnlch,
in this case. is likely to be Newport News,
owing to the successful outcome of the
last expedition from that Port, and sail
away to Porto Rico.
Luckily for the navy. Santiago has
capitulated just on the eve OF the hurri-
cane season in the West Indies.
The big battleships are able to carry
throrgh this weather with discomfort, but
.he smaller blockade boats VIII lind the
task of continuing the blockade fr2ught
with positive danger. 1t is expected, how
ever. to tighten the lines of blockade at
any cost particularly at those ports con-
nected with Havana by rail-: The sur
render of the eastern end of the island to
the United States will afford some ports
of refuge for our naval vessels in case
of absolute need.