Evening star., 1898-06-20

rived off Santiago de Cuba.
No doubt is entertained at either the War
or Navy Department that Gen. Skaters
military expedition has arrived safely off
Santiago by this time. AS matter of fact,
it is believed that the first of the transports
arrived near the blOckading fleet Saturday
night.
According to the plans arranged for the
debarkation, the fleet of transports was to
lie in safe place until Sampson had clear
ed the way for landing. The selection of
the landing place was left entirely to the
judgment of Admiral Sampson and Gen
Shafter, the military commander. The very
first business in order, upon the arrival of
the transport fleet off Santiago would be a
war council between Admiral Sampson and
some of his naval captains on the one hand
and Mai. Gen Shafter and his staff the
other. the purpose being to settle all the
details of the debarkation. Meanwhile the
fleet of transports would lie out at sea at
least ten miles beyond the blockading
squadron, in order to be entirely safe from
attack by Spanish torpedo boats. These
craft are dangerous enough to full-hedged
warships. but transport would be abso-
lutely helpless against their attack so that
the strictest possible watch must be kept
by the conveys until the troops are landed,
the present being the most critical point in
the whole operation.
The work of debarking the troops is not
TO be one of hours but rather days accord
ing TO the opinion of army officers. A great
deal depends on the point selected for the
landing. 1t is supposed that Aguadores, to
the east of Moro Castle about six or eight
mi vpIlld he a KEEL Ia in via of
the fact that it has wharf, the property
of an iron ore company, which would be
extremely useful for landing the heavy sup
plies and ordnance of the siege train.
1t is reported now, however, that this
particular wharf has been commanded by
Spanish batteries which have been so
placed TO give enfilading fire upon it.
II this be SO, then the batteries must be
first silenced by the fleet, else there would
be not only loss of life among the troops
but the wharf itself might be destroyed by
the Spanish shells. If the landing is made
at this wharf at least two days, it is esti-
mated, will be consumed in getting the eX-
pedition ashore. only one ship can lie
at the wharf at a time, and there is an
enormous quantity of ammunition and
stores TO be taken ashore. If the landing
is made on the beach, it will be a tedious
and time-cOnsuming operation, although it
will he possible in that ease to proceed
simultaneously from all the ships
The army officials feel confident that Gen
Shafter will make an immediate effort to
open up cable communication as soon as he
has landed force, and they are expecting
a cablegram almost any moment announc-
Ing the fact that he has succeeded Some
surprise is expressed that this French cable
has not already been reOpened, as the cable
steamer was at Mole ST. Nicholas the mid
die of last week. with all of the necessary
material and men for repairing the breaks
and opening UP the station.
No Official News.
No official news respecting the war had
been received at either the War or Navy
Departments up to 3 o'clock this after
noon. Secretary Alger. General Miles and
Adjutant General Corbin are authority for
the statement that no word has yet been
received from General Shafter who led the
military expedition to Santiago nor from
General Anderson, in command of the first
expedition to the Philippines. Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Allen of the
Navy Department each said at 3 O'Clock
this afternoon that nothing had been re.
ceived today from Admiral Sampson. in
command OF the naval forces off Santiago
or from Admiral Dewey, in command OF
the feet In the Bay of Manila
Notwithstanding this general absence of
direct official information. the officials
named are satisfied that Skaters army
with its naval convoy, has arrived at San
tiagc. and that the fleet of transports which
left San Francisco the 18th uItirno is not
very far from the Bay of Manila. If. indeed
II did not reach there today. Owing to the
lack OF direct telegraphic communication
no official information IS expected from
either Of these expeditions before tomor.
row. in the case Of Santiago 1t will be nee.
e5saTy 10 send a dispatch boat to Kingston
Jamaica. and in the ease Of Manila it Will
be similarly necessary to send dispatches
by water - Hong Kong. Therefore, there
Will probably be a delay OF from twenty
four to forty-eight hours after the arrival
of tire fleets before that fact can be official.
ly communicated to the authorities in
Washington. 1t is said at the War Depart
ment that IL viii take at least day or two
for the troops to recover from their sea
voyage before they will be in condition te
begin active operations against the enemy
both at Santiago and at Manila