The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-31
ARMY
PUT IN
MOTION
General Miles Orders a Forward
Movement
Of the Troops at Various Gulf
Ports.
LEE AT JACKSONVILLE
He Will Establish His Head
quarters There.
Fears Are Expressed That
Spain May Give Up.

Washington, May 31.-Before leaving
for Tampa, Gen. Miles issued tele-.
graphic orders putting the troops in
motion and thus starting the forward
movement of the military arm of the
service.
The command to advance has infused
intense activity into every branch of
military and naval circles. 1t was
shown today in the hurried but sys-
tematic preparations at the various
bureaus at the war and navy depart
ments and in the keen air of expect
ancy everywhere prevailing. The au-
thoritative statements made by Gen.
Miles and others that the orders for an
advance had been issued, left no fur
ther doubt on that point. The report
from Key West that the steamer Flor
ida returned this morning after sue
cessfully landing a most important ex-
pedition in Cuba, was supplemented by
the information here that the expedi-
ton was in command of General
Lacret, the well known Cuban leader,
who has with him four hundred picked
Cubans thoroughly armed and equipped
by the United States. Prior to the cab
met meeting, reports were current that
the president had told some of his call
ers that he expected Commodore Schley
would attack Admiral Cervera today
in Santiago harbor. Inquiry failed to
substantiate this report. On the con-
trary 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
frilZ
the other was ready to cooperate and
thus make the blow doubly effective.
While there continues to be entire
official reticence as to the exact points
of invasion the concensus of opinion
drawn from the most intelligent sources
Is that the eastern end of Cuba, con-
stituting the province Of Santiago with
Santiago de Cuba as its capital and
Porto Rico will be among the objective
points For this reason the situation
in Santiago province and Porto Rico
was thoroughly canvassed.
Cen. Lee last night left Tampa for
Jacksonville on the eastern side OF the
Florida peninsula, to open headquarters
there But one inference can be drawn
from this movement namely, that jack
sonvilIe is to be made a base of opera
tions against Porto Rico. The town
is aQI1ITdDly SllQcdlCo AOA NAAA0 PNA ROSO'
in fact it far surpasses Key West as
base for operations, even against any OF
the eastern points of Cuba. The ter
minus of an excellent railroad system
leading from the north and west, with
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 base of military operations.
There seems to be little doubt that
the plan of campaign contemplates the
reduction of Porto Rico and the presi-
dent is being strongly urged to begin
this movement, even before any serious
attempt is made upon Havana. His
advisers point to what they regard as
the danger of a retreat on the part of
the Spanish government. 1t might be
possible according to their view, for
the Spanish to assert that they accept
in full the demands of this govern
ment's ultimatum and are prepared to
withdraw their troops from Cuba.
In such case the United States would
be placed in the disagreeable 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 Of
Tending against international law, for
it can be safely accepted as the truth
that the administration is determined
that Spanish rule in the western hemis-
phere must cease.
Now that Gen. Miles has gone, it can
be stated that for the last five days he
has held frequent conferences with a
prominent Porto Rican, thoroughly
conversant with the situation in that
island, and able to give exact informa-
tion as to the Spanish strength de-
fences, ETC., there.
AS to Santiago province, the situa-
ton was explained today by an Official
well acquainted with the conditions
there. He pointed out that it is the
eastermost section of Cuba and the
one completely isolated from Gen.
B1anco, so far as railroad connections
are concerned.
When the cabinet meeting adjourned
today it was announced that the mat
ters under consideration were not Cf
vital Importance, nor was there any
thing of interest that could be given to