The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-01
NO DOUBT IS NOW FELT
THAT THE TIME FOR ACTION HAS
COME
THE CAPTURE OF PORTO RICO
Must Precede the Reduction Of Cuba
in Order to Avoid Possible
Complications
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May 31.-The command
to advance, given yesterday, has infused
intense activity into every branch of mill
tarv and naval circles. 1t was shown to-
dav in the hurried but systematic prep
arations at the various bureaus at the
war and Navy Departments and In the
keen air of expectancy everywhere pre-
vailing, The authoritative statement made
nv General Miles and others that the Or
ders for advance had been issued, left no
further doubt on that point.
The report from Key West that the
steamer Florida returned there this morn
ing after successfully landing a most inn
portant expedition in Cuba, was supple
mented by the information here that the
expedition was in command of General
I.acret the well-known Cuban leader. who
has with him 400 picked Cubans, thorough
w armed and equipped by the United
States.
Prior to the Cabinet meeting reports
were current that the President had told
some of his callers that he expected Com
modore Schley would attack Admiral Ger
vera today in Santiago harbor. Inquiry
failed to substantiate this report. On the
contrary, those in a position to know the
general plans of attack stated that the
navy and army would act together and
that one branch Of the service was not
likely to strike decisive blow until the
cher was ready to cooperate and thus
make the blow doubly effective. While
there continues to be entire official reti-
cence as to the most exact points of inva-
sion, the consensus of opinion, drawn from
the most intelligent sources. is that the
Eastern end of Cuba. constituting the
province of Santiago, with Santiago de
Cuba as it's capital, and Porto Rico, will be
among the objective points. For this
reason the situation in Santiago province
and Porto Rico was thoroughly canvassed.
General Lee left Tampa last night for
Jacksonville, on the eastern side of the Flor
ida peninsula. to open headquarters there.
But one inference can be drawn from this
movement, namely, that Jacksonville Is
to be made a base of operations against
Porto Rico. The town Is admirably situat-
ed for this purpose, in fact, it far surpasses
Key West as a base for operations, even
against any of the eastern ports of Cuba.
The terminus of an excellent railroad sys-
tenn from the North and West, with a good
steamboat connection with New York. with
a navigable river affording a good harbor
and distant only 1900 miles from San Juan
| in an air line, Jacksonville leaves little to
be desired as a 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 strongly urged to begin this movement
even before any serious attempt is made up
on Havana. His advisers point to what
they regard as the danger of a retreat OF
the part of the Spanish government. It
might be possible, according to their view
for the Spanish to assert that they accept
In full the demands of this governments
ultimatum, and are prepared to withdraw
their troops from Cuba. In such case the
United States would be placed in disagree
able position before the world of continuing
to make war upon the country which holds
out the flag of truce. The dilemma that
would confront us in such case would be
how to secure Porto Rico without offending
against International law, for it can be safe
ly accepted as the truth that the admins
tration Is determined that the Spanish rule
in the Western Hemisphere must cease.
Reticent Officials
. WASHINGTON, May 31.-When the .
Cabinet meeting adjourned today it .
was announced that the matters I'M .
der discussion were not of vital i'm .
. portance, nor was there anything .
. of interest that could be given to the .
. public. The best information obtain .
. able from other sources, however, .
. strongly indicates that the important .
. military movement now in progress .
will be directed against Santiago .
| . and in cooperation with the fleet .
. under Commodore Schley and the .
. allied insurgent forces. Our forces .
. are expected to speedily capture the .
| City of Santiago and the feet or de- Q
. stroy both. 1t is intimated from high .
. sources that the landing expedition .
. now embarking at Key West may be .
. divided and one division sent to CO. .
| Q operate with Admiral Sampson Q
| . against Porto Rico. 1t is believed .
| . that the government now has a .
| . sufficient number of regulars and .
. seasoned volunteers to carry both Of .
. these plans to a successful issue. .
. Transports in sufficient numbers and .
. capacity have already been secured .
Q and it Is the opinion of high officials .
. that one or both of these plans are .
. now being carried into execution. .
. General Miles, who left here last .
| . night to take command of the mill .
. tary forces. is known to have the .
. entire confidence of the President, .
. who, in today's Cabinet meeting, said .
. that he fully expected that General .
. Miles would prove entirely worthy .
. of his trust. Members Of the admin .
. istration agreed that the war from .
. this time on will be prosecuted at .
. all points with the utmost vigor. .
| Movement of Troops
CHATTANOOGA, May 31.-Preparations
for the departure of eight regiments from
Chickamauga are being vigorously pushed
today and the indications are that they
will all get out during the next forty-eight
hours. The First Illinois, the First Ohio
the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indi-
una and the Third Pennsylvania are sched-
uled to leave tonight. The work Of break
Ing camp and packing up can easily be fin.
ished during the day. The men and equip
ments will be loaded on trains in the park
and these trains will be given the right OF
way over all others. The detachment
formed by the four regiments will number
about 1000 and will be commanded by Brig
adier-General Snyder.
The second detachment, which will prob
ably leave tomorrow, will be composed OF
the Second New York, 6ixty-ninth New