The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-23

gan to disembark on Cuban soil, land
Ing In formation at two polnts, so as 70
attack Santiago In the rear and at the
Sides with the navy to aid the work in
front. Thus the military invasion OF
Cuba may be said to have fairly begun,
for though the United States. marines
were the first OF the regular forces to
land upon Cuban soil, their purpose was
not aftec all invasion. but the establish
ment OF n naval base, and base for q
cable station, IN both OF which they
were. eninently successful. To the reg
ular troops was left the beginning OF
the formidable task OF invading Cuba
in force and by land.
Just at the close OF Office hours a brief
cableSram came 10 the war department
from Lieutenant Colonel Allen. 1t had
been expected all day. To the surprise
OF the officials the cablegram was dated,
not at Guantanamo. but at place call
ed Playa del Este, about twenty miles
west OF Guantanamo bay, and about
half the distance between that and San
tlago bay. Its exact wording Is, with
held, but the statement was authorized
that 1t said that the roops were landing
and that preparations had been made
to attack Santiago at tho side and
rear. 0-s
Tho Delay Explained.
The delay In receiving further cable
communications after the first OF last
evening is thus explained: The lines
were being carried westward, probably
to be nearer the point selected as the
landing place in Cuba. In his dispatch
Lieutenant Colonel Allen said that he
had heard nothing officially from either
General Shafter or. Admiral Sampson.
This Is accounted for readily by his In
struct!ons. He was told specifically by
General Miles in q cablegram sent yes
terdaY. not to embarrass General Shat
ter by any Unnecessary suggestions.
Thus twill be seen. to the delight OF all
true soldiers, that General Shafter. like
Admiral Sampson, Is not to be tied by
exact orders. from Washington, but Is
to be allowed the widest liberty OF ac-
tion, in the belief that he being on the
ground, is. capable of judging best the
propriety OF projected movements The
lieutenant colonel, who Is member OF
General Miles staff and directly in
charge OF the signal work In Santiago
province, communicated briefly with
General Miles In cipher the fact that the
debarkation Of the troops had begun,
and that a plan OF attack had been mr.
ranged
ShufIcr's Reinforccmrnir. a..
The reinforcement Of General Shafter
actually began to-day In the departure
OF q regiment and battalion OF the
troops at Camp Alger for Santiago.
They 60 to Newport News and then By
steamer direct 10 Santiago. II the ex-
pectatlons Of the projectors OF this
movement are realized these troops are
likely to occupy actually less time In
the passage than did the first contin-
gent which left Tampa directly. not
'withstandlng the distance Is twice as
long. "a 4
Formal orders were issued, placing
General Guy v. Henry In charge Of the
new division OF troops composed OF Duf-
fields and Garretson's brigades. which
are to form part OF the new division.
Probably some OF the troops now at
Tampa will be attached also. in which
case they will be dispatched in sepa-
rate transports. General Henry is one
of the noted cavalry leaders In
the army, possibly In the world.
Plan of Attack.
Not far from Playa del Este, on the
east side Of Santiago Bay. the second
landing Is going on at point Just about
the same distance west of the harbor
entrance. The two divisions probably
will be pushed forward steadily to take
the town OF Santiago on either flank,
while to Garcla'e and Rabbits bands
OF insurgents may be left the task OF
bringing on the attack in the rear. The
distance on the west, side Is slightly
greater than on the east, but II Is proba-
bly, no greater by either route than fif-
teen or eighteen miles. The country IS
mountainous. but there Is no reason to
believe Il may not be traverscd by the
United States troops within a week,
even IL It should be necessary to con-
struct entertainments and abatt!s every
few miles IN order to beat back the
Spaniards. With the beginning of d
military movement the navy will draw
closer in shore to pound at the forts at
the entrance, and TO draw the Gordon Of
wareh!ps 80 closely around the mouth
as TO make 1t impossible for Cervera's
vessels to escape, even ifthey are dis
posed to take the most desperate
chances.
A Curtoua Conl Purchnse. ~
News has reached here that 1900 tons
of coal Is being loaded at Valparaiso
Chile. AS coal Is worth about SIS n ton
there, the purchase excited great cur
iosty here, as It has been expected that
It was being made on Spanish account.
II this should prove to be true, and the
fact Will soon be known, 1t would seem
TO Indicate purpose on the part OF the
Spanish naval commander, .Camnra, 10
carry that celebrated Cadlz fleet around
into the Pacific, and use these collIers
to supply the fleet with coal. In THE
case the object OF attack would be the
west coast Of the United States instead
OF the Philippines, but aftertall the
whole thing Is merely n matter Of con-
lecture. "a 80
The European stories published this
alliance among tho powers
against the United States, and OF the
proNicr Of Germany to lease tho Philip
pines from Spain, are received here
with amusement. for 1t will appear
clearly from tho place or .orl gin OF these
stories, Madrid, II not from their; sub
stance, that they GRO inspired by n des-
peratc wish or. tho part -of Spain to In
volve us In trouble with Germany.
The Third philippine Expedition.
!. WASHINGTON. D. c., June 22-,
MN rinrmnathrE scnor,is DI.1jnUtnn ~ 80 |