Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-06-23

| Washing toii, June Z0.-JuSt a week
after the United States troops left
Tortugas they began to disembark on
Cuban soil. landing In formation at two
points. so as to attack Santiago in the
| rear ana at the sides, with the navy to
help the work in front Thus the mill
| tary invasion of Cuba may be said to
have fairly began, for though the Unit
ed states marines were the first of the
regular forces TO land upon Cuban soil
| their purpose was not invasion. but the
establishment of naval base and a
base Tor cable station. To the regular
troops was left the beginning of the
formidable task of invading Cuba in
force by land. Just ct the close OF office
hours yesterday brief cablegram came
10 the war department from Lieutenant
Colonel Allen. To the surprise of the
officials the cahlegram was dated at a
place called PLAYA del Este Gnstaai OF
duantanamC), about twenty miles west
or Guantanamo bay, and about half the
distance between That and Santiago bay.
Why Further News Was Lacking,
Its exact wording was withheld hi,
the statement was authorized that il
said the trCUCs we're landing ard that
nreQarati@ps haH been made TO attack
saniag" At tbs size and rear The de-
lay III receiving further cable COM
inunlcatons after this one is thus OK
planned: The lines were being carried
westward, probably to be nearer the
point selected rs the landing place in
Cuba. In his dispatch Lieutenant Col
onel Allen said that he had heard MOTH
ing ofiicially from either General Shafter
or Admiral Sampson.
Rein !orcements for Shafter.
The reinforcement of General chatter
actually began yesterday in the DEPART
ure OF IA regiment and battalion of the
troops at Camp Aiger for Santiago. They
go TO Newport News and then by
steamer direct TO Santiago. Formal Or
ders We're issued placing General Guv
V. Henry In charge of the new division
of troops c-Hposed of Dunield's and
Garretson's brigades, which are to form,
part OF the new division. Probab bly, some
OF the troops now at Tampa VIII be
attached also, in which case they will
be dispatched in separate transports.
The first troops to leave Camp Alger
on the expedition comprised the entire
Ihirty-tnird Michigan and one battalion
OF the Thirtyfourth Michigan. This
division will increase Skaters force to
about .4.000 men.
Apparent Plan of Attack.
1t Is evident from the nature OF Cen
eral Miles advices that in addition to
the troops now landing, as it Is sup
posed, not far from Playa del Este. on
the east side of Santiago bay, the Sec
ond landing Is going on at a point lust
about the same distance west of the
harbor entrance. The two divisions
probably will be pushed forward steadi-
ly TO take the town of Santiago on
either flank, while to Garcia and Rabi's
bands OF insurgents may be left the
task of bringing on the attack in the
rear. The country is mountainous. but
there is no reason to believe il may
not be trayersed by the United States
troops within a week, even if il should
be necessary to construct entrencn-
ments and abbattis every few miles in
order to beat back the Spaniards. With
the beginning of the military move
ment, the navy will draw close inshors
to pound away at the forts at the on
trance and to draw the Gordon of war
ships so closely around the mouth az IN
make 1t impossible for Cervera's ves-
sells to escape.