Evening star., 1898-05-31

The word of command to advance given
yesterday, has infused intense activity into
every branch of military and naval circles
1t was shown today in the hurried but sys-
ternatic preparations at the various bu-
reaus of the War and Navy Departments
and IN the Keen air of expectancy every
where prevailing. The authoritative state
ments made yesterday by General Miles
and others that the orders for an advance
had been issued left no further doubt on
that point.
Prior to the cabinet meeting reports were
current that the President had told some
of his callers that he expected Commodore
Scnley would attack Admiral Cervera to-
day in Santiago harbor. On inquiry this
report was not borne out, but, on the con-
trsry. those in position to know the gen.
erfu plans of attack stated that the navy
am army would act together, and that one
branch of the service was not likely to
strike a decisive blow until the other was
ready to cooperate. and thus make the
blow doubly effective.
The Points of Invasion
While there continues to be complete Off
Gal reucence as to the exact points of in
sasion. the consensus of opinion, drawn
from best informed sources is that the
Eastern end of Cuba, constituting the prov
tnce OF Santiago, with Santiago de Cuba as
It's capital, and Porto Rico will be the OBJ
lectlve points at first. For this reason the
situation in Santiago province and Porto
Rico has been thoroughly canvassed.
jacksonville BE a Base.
General Lee last night left Tampa for
Jacksonville the eastern side of the
Florida peninsula to open headquarters
there. There can be but one inference
drawn from that movement namely that
jacksonville is 10 be made base of oper-
ations against Porto Rico. For that pur-
pose the town is admirably situated in
fact, II far surpasses Key West as a base
Tor operations even against any of the
eastern points of Cuba. The terminus of an
excellent railroad system leading from the
nortn and west. with good steamboat con-
nections with New York, with a navigable
river affording a good harbor and distant
IN an air line only 1900 miles from San
Juan, Jacksonville leaves little to be de-
sired as base of military operations.
There seems to be little doubt that the
plan of campaign contemplates the reduc-
ton of Porto Rico. and the President is be-
ing urged very strongly to begin this move
ment even before any serious attempt Is
made upon Havana His advisors are point
Ing to what they regard a very imminent
danger Of an unqualified retreat on the
part Of the Spanish government 1t might
be possible, according to this view. for the
Spanish TO merely assert that they accept
IN full the demands of the celebrated ulti-
matum and were prepared to withdraw
their troops from Cuba.
Cpanish IN Santiago Province.
As to Santiago province. the situation was
explained today by an official thoroughly
conversant with the conditions there He
pointed out that 1t was the easternmost sec
tion of Cuba and the one completely isolat-
ed from General Blanco so far as railroad
connections are concerned. For that rea-
son II will be impossible for Blanco to hurry
reiRforcements to Santiago, and the Span
fsh forces already there constitute all TINT
IL Is possfble-fo assemble Immediately for
its defense These forces are under Gen.
erai Pando. with headquarters at HoIguIn.
about 100 miles northwest of Santiago de
Cuba Pando has a force of about 5000
troops with him, and Is strongly intrench.d.
A short railway connects him with Inc
p small seaport OF Gibaro, on the north coasr.
where there are about 1 600 Spanish troops.
But while Pando 10 strong at Holguin, he q