The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-06
It viii, It is Thought, Be Deferred
for Some Time Yet.
FIGHTING THERE WILL Be FIERCE
The City is Strongly Fortified ana IL
wuITake a Large Force and Fierce
Fighting To Enter It-Blanco
Has Large Force aud VIII
BE Strongly Reinforced
by other Spaniards.

WASHINGTON, July SIT Is said on
good authority to-day that, beyond the
decision to at once get squadron ready
to 20 to Spain. no definite plans have
been reached as TO when the invasion
OF Porto Rico will be made. All that IL
known Is that unless plans change Porto
Rico will be the next place against which
troops will operate.
The entire question OF the plans as to
Porto Rico will be held until Santiago
has fallen. That is expected TO be al
most Immediately. and therefore the
taking Of Porto Rico will not be long
postponed.
The reinforcements going TO General
Shafter may or may not he needed by
him. but they will be close enough
to Porto Rico to be sent there to Join
whatever forces may go direct from
Southern shores.
VALUE OF REGULAR TROOrS.
In all future land operations It Is in
tended to have a large sprinlllng Of reg
ular troops, the assertion being that the
presence of regulars. ofiicered by grad
yates OF West Point. tends 10 stirfen ana
strengthen the volunteers. This makes
IL probable that when Santiago has fallen
and the campaign against Porto Rico
begins a number OF the regular fesi~
ments at Santiago will be Withdrawn for
work I'm Porto Rico. About 10000 troops
will be left in Santiago for garrison
duty They will not be needed TO pre-
vent the recapture OF the city by span
iards, but they will be required TO pre-
serve the peace and prevent excesses by
the Cubans. They will have TO take care
Of practically the entire province OF SAN
tiago or the force to be left not over
one regiment will be from the regular
army.
TO TAKE HAVANA.
The administration is said 10 have come
10 the conclusion that from $1,000 TO lD.-
OOO men Will have to be sent against the
city of Havana. This Is more apparent
since the game fight put up by. the Span
iards at Santiago. IL Is seen that unless
Spain seeks peace the lighting around
Havana will be fierce and protractcd. the
campaign may go on for month after
Uncle Sans forces land unless Blanco Is
compelled by starvation ana Internal
troubles. 10 surrender.
There are said 10 be thirty miles OF IN
trenchments IN front OF Havana. Line
after line of strong fortihcations have
been erected tor this distance. That
means lighting from tho first lines all the
way back 10 the city OF Havana The
Spaniards will sullenly fan back from line
to line Blanco is strengthening the for
tihcatiOns in every way. He has "A light
ing force Of from 5000 TO 10000. This
will be increased. as the Spanish troops
I'm all the provinces Will retire 10 Havana
Just before the landing OF the Americans
Every available weapon OF war and
every man viii be concentrated 20 defend
the city.
BLANCO'S PRESENT POSITION.
Looking at the situation as now seen
the administration will not send hastily
equipped army to Havana. Weeks will
be taken 10 prepare the invading force
and 20 make IL large enough to succeed
Under these circumstances Havana will
be loft unmolested for a good while. IL
may even be decided TO take the Canaries
before Havana is attacked. Nothing VIII
be lost 10 allow Blanco to have his own
way for weeks. His circumstances Will
grow more serious with each passing day.
Hunger will breed discomfort and possi-
bly, revolution. He has already put IN
his best work strengthening his defenses
and cannot do much more In that line.
PORTO RICANS IN THE CITY.
Evidences that Porto Rico is the next
number on the programme n found In
the fact that members OF the revolution
ary party Of that island are In the city
cooperating with War Department offi-
clals in preparing correct maps OF tho
harbors. rivers. roads. mountains. towns.
etc. The maps In possession OF the War
Department lack much OF being correct.
The Porto Ricans who are at work here
know the geography OF their country well
and will be OF great assistance 10 war
Department officials.