Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-21
PORTO RICAN PLANS
Gen. Miles to Get a Landing Place
on the Island at Once.
The CAMPAIGN an ARMY MOVEMENT.
~ There Ia No Spanish Fleet the Navy Has
Limited Field of OpSrxt,on-Ths
Reduction VI Harbor F0rtiHcs.
tiOna sampv0n's Work.

''"b ''aA' "uAN =" Ao 20 khVucu
as certain by the officers OF the war
department that Gen. Miles and the
first contingent of the Porto Rcan ex.
petition are now EN- route from San
tiago to the point in Porto Rico where
landing is to BIZ effected. Secretary
Alger said yesterday evening that he
hoped and expected that Gen. Miles,
with his forces from Cuba, would get
away at night. At eight o'clock last
night Gen. Miles was still In Cuban
waters, but, SO far as the war officials
here are informed, the vanguard OF
the Porto Rican expedition was finally
prepared to leave.
The war department exchanged sew.
eral cable messages with Gen. Miles
during the late afternoon and early
evening, regarding the details of the
expedition, but in none of his dis.
patches did the general indicate the
precise hour Of his departure. The
impression conveyed is that he was
awaiting the naval vessels, which are
to act as conveys
1t is stated definitely that Gen.
Miles has no intention to await the ar
rival OF the several parts OF the ex-
petition from the United States before
moving upon Porto Rico. 1t is, in
fact, his purpose with such troops as
he now has to break ground on the Is.
land for the forces that will arrive
later from this country. His landing
will be effected, II necessary, under
the guns OF the vessels Of the navy. 1t
is not anticipated that serious resist.
ance will be encountered, as the Span.
ish force on the entire island Is only
slightly larger than the force which
accompanies Gen. Miles.
Arrangements for the departure of
the troops from this country, which
are to comprise the greater part of
the expedition, are being pressed with
the utmost vigor. Difficulty is being
experienced in securing proper trans
ports, but that, in measure, has been
overcome. Within day or two 10, 900
men, 1t is expected, will be ahoat for
Porto Rico and the remainder OF the
expedition will be sent forward as
rapidly as possible.
Admiral Sampson has received final
orders from the navy department as to
the part the American fleet is to take
In the campaign against Porto Rico.
They are based on the view that the
campaign is essen tally an army move.
ment. the duties Of the navy being to
lend every support and assistance to
the land operations 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 Spanish fleet In San
Juan harbor or other Porto Rican
ports, the navy has limited field Of
operation. The reduction of the har.
Dor Notifications will be the main
work, but this and all other opera
tions Of the fleet will be supplement.
tary to the main operations conducted
by the army. The strategists, military
and naval, are agreed in the view that
the taking OF Porto Rico is primarily
a military undertaking, and Admiral
SIMPSONS orders are on these lines
The navy department is rapidly
moving the large feet Of auxiliary
craft, made up Of merchant ships,
large ocean-going yachts, tugs, ETC.,
from Atlantic coast points to Cuban
waters, where they will be placed on |
blockade duty, thus releasing 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 oil Of them |
will be on the way within week,
only long enough at Norfolk |
to have their batteries strengthened.
When the war broke out large |
number Of these auxiliary craft were
purchased. They have been distrib.
uted along the coast from Maine to
Florida, at some 40 or more points,
making an effective coast patrol.
There is felt to be no further need Of
this patrol, so that, with the excep-
ton of few important points, the
auxiliary craft will be withdrawn for
service in Cuba. Capt Bartlett has
the work in charge and is rapidly hur-
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