The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-20
Naval Vessels Will Guard
General Miles.
MORE WORK FOR THE NAVY
Cuban Rapacity the Cause Of Frlc-
tion at Santiago.
sHAFrER'S ARMY WILL REMAIN.

washington, July zO.-becduse oi q
failure on the part OF General Miles to
receive the orders TO take charge OF the
military expedition against Porto Rico,
that officer did not depart Tuesday a.
was expected from Siboney. Contrary
20 the first intention and probably with
out General Miles seeking the Yale is
70 be conveyed by a naval vessel that
Admiral Sampson has been instructed
TO select from his fleet. This may re-
suit in delaying General Miles progress.
as none of SIMPSONS vessels is able TO
keep pace with the Yale. Nevertheless
there is no doubt that the general will
reach Porto Rico before the troops from
Charleston.
The personnel of the Porto Rican ex-
pedition having been left In a large
measure In the hands of General Brooke,
II Is not possible yet to give an accurate
roster of the organizations that will en-
ter into IT.. The president announced
privately yesterday that while no date
OF departure of the troops TO be sent
from Chickamauga to Porto Rico had
been fixed. he expected they would leave
about one week from today. He Is
awaiting a detailed report recommend
ing what troops and supplies should be
sent. The present plan Is stated TO be
TO embark at Newport News or Norfolk,
and those at Tampa either there or at
Key West.
Admiral Sampson has received final
orders from the navy department as to
the part the fleet is to take in the cam
paign against Porto Rico. They are
based on the view. that the campaign
is essentially an army movement, the
duties Of the NAVY being to lend every
support and assistance TO the land OPP
erations. The admiral is instructed to
aid the army movements by dispatching
conveys when required and by covering
the landing OF troops. AS there is no
fleet in San Juan harbor or other Porto
Rican ports. the navy has limited field.
The reduction of the harbor Notifications
will be the main work. but this and all
other operations OF the fleet will be sup
Elementary to the main operations con-
Quoted by the army. The strategists,
military and naval, are agreed in the
view that the taking of Porto Rico IL
primarily a military undertaking, and
Admiral Simpsons orders are on these
lines
The navy department IL rapidly NOV
ing the large feet OF auxiliary craft,
made up OF merchant ships ocean-going
yachts. tugs. etc. from Atlantic coast
points TO Cuban waters. where they will
be placed on blockade duty, thus re-
leasing the larger ships for more active
duty at Porto Rico and the coast of
Spain. Three Of these smaller craft
were sent south yesterday and most all
OF them will be on the way within
week, stopping only long enough at Nor
folk to have their batteries strength
ened. When the war broke out large
number of these auxiliary craft were
purchased. They have been distributed
along the coast from Maine to Florida,
at some 40 or more points, making an ef-
fective patrol There is felt to be no
further need OF this patrol, so that with
the exception of few important points
the auxiliary craft will be withdrawn
for service in Cuba.
Secretary Alger said yesterday that
the campaign against San Juan will be
conducted with much caution. and the
rush OF events at Baiquiri will not be
repeated. The forward movement will
not be begun until force superior to
the Spaniards at every point has been
landed and furnished supplies sufficient
10 meet all possible requirements. Great
care and deliberatlon will characterize
all movements with view TO avoiding
the hardships that befell the Santiago
expedition.
War department officials feel that
lhox, 70 f,,lly fu,tfGaJ Ia, hal daeisinx,
60 retain practically all OF Skaters
army at Santiago by the press reports
as TO the growth OF serious friction be-
tween the American forces and the
Cuban troops growing out OF the latter's
exclusion from Santiago by Skaters
orders. IL is felt now that the garrison
originally proposed. two immune req,
ments. would have been quite insuf-
ficient 20 meet an outside Spanish force
that might come from Hoiguin or Man
zanillo. and also to restrain the rapacity
OF the Cubans. IL IL realized that the
present situation Is full OF difficulty.
and the future Is dark owing to the dis
position evinced by the Cubans to ignore
or refuse TO be bound by the amenities
OF modern warfare.
This frst symptom OF friction has sug-
gested 60 the officials innumcrable diff
ficulties that will arise In the future. OF
course IL would seem 10 be only polite
now to avoid an open rupture with the
Cubans. provided they can be kept in
leash and not Involve the United States
In the disgrace that would follow the
sacking OF helpless communities; but IL
begins to appear that for some time 10
come and even after the conquest of
Cuba Is complete the United States
must maintain military government
In order TO meet the responsibility which
II has assumed TO the civilized world.