The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-18
fastening Plans For the
Expedition.
GEN. MIL sATwAsHINGToN
Failure Of the Effort TO Secure the
Release Of Hobs0n.
WATCHING THE CADlZ FLEET.

Washington, June 1S.-The return OF
General Miles TO Washington from Tam
pa had an inspiring effect upon the war
preparations. Secretary Alger said he
was entirely satisfied with the condition
Of the troops as reported by Miles, and
wished he could provide each OF the vol7
unteers with a daily surf bath such as
was enjoyed by the men at Tampa
The plans are moving forward steadily
for sending further expeditions beth 10
Porto Rico and Cuba. There IL little
likelihood that q second expedition OF
5000 men, to reinforce General Shafter
at Santiago will leave within the next
few days, as has been reported. The
necessity OF sending additional forces
Is questioned by high officials and, more
over, the means OF transporting such a
force are not available. The main con-
sideration just at present is the equip
ment OF an expedition OF greater dinasn
sions than any heretofore dispatched.
with Porto Rico the objective point. A
month q the military authorities were
satisfied hat q small force would be
SUFFICIENT to occupy Porto Rico. as the
Spanish force there did not exceed 50os
or 5000 men. Now. however. the Spanish
garrisons have been SO reinforced and
the defenses so strengthened that it Is
believed that a much larger invading
army will be required. Moreover, the
officials were satisfied On learning that
the Cadiz fleet had sailed hat the ships
would 60 TO Porto Rico rather than 10
Cuba. IL they crossed to this side. 1t was
pointed out that this move would be the
strategic one for the Spanish command
ers TO make, as there was still something
left for them to save in Porto Rico.
Speaking in a general way of his obi
servations General Milessaid: Having
spent some time with the troops during
a trying period of hurried preparations,
I am glad to say that they are a splendid
body OF men, which the country may
well be proud Of. As to the regulars.
they arc the finest corps In the world
without any exception. OF course the
volunteer army is not as well equipped.
Some Of the states sent men into the
ield In very good condition, notably
Massachusetts, and New York. Others
sent their quotas without arms, equip
ment or clothing. They were not soldiers
at all: only employed men. II takes
time to make soldiers of this material
There must be uniforms, arms, ammu-
milton, equipment. camp equipage.
tentage. transportation and hospital
supplies. Then In addition they have to
have ordnance. artillery, siege trains.
entrenching tools. horse equipments,
engineering appliances Of all kinds, bal
loon appliances. etc. After that comes
the great question Of moving an army
across the sea. This work, with its in
finite detail. has been carried. / am glad
to say. with a fair degree Of success, and
the command OF Is, 900 men under Gen.
eral 6hafter moved away with an out-
burst of enthusiasm which overcame
the trials they had passed through"
The navy officials are somewhat pug
xled at the failure Of the effort to x
change Hobson and his crew just an
nounced from Havana. or course this
10 not permanent. but simply means that
the Havana authorities have not yet
been authorized to exchange prisoners.