The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-07-22
URGENT ORDERS
Sent admiral Sampson by
the President.
M'KlNLEY LOSES PATIENCE.
He Il Wrought Up Over Admiral
Simpsons Delay in Fur.
nishing Conveys

Fears That General Wilson's Command,
Which Is Now En- Route to Porto Rico,
will BE Placed In Danger If 1t Arrives
Before General Miles and His Troops
Orders Susceptible of No Misconstruc-
ton by the Admiral.
Washington, July 2l.-Orders have
been sent to Admiral Sampson to fur
nish a convoy for General Miles ex-
petition, consisting Of battleship and
q cruiser. 1t is expected that this will
be done Immediately ard that General
Miles and the forces with him will get
away some time during the day. There
seems to have arisen a question of con-
voy or no convoy, which was in part at
least responsible for the delay.
Washington, July 21.-Presldent Nc
Kinley is thoroughly aroused over the
delay which has occurred in the start
ing of General Miles and the expe dition
under his command for Porto Rico. For
several days General Miles and his
troops have been aboard their trans
ports at Playa del Este awaiting the
by Admiral Sampson. The troops have
been swelteripg in the crowded ships
under the broiling heat of a tropical
sun. while General Miles has been chat
ing under what he believes to be mex
cusable delay, and is bombarding the
war department with dispatches urg-
ing in the strongest terms that the navy
be hurried in its preparations for the
expedition.
Exasperating to Officials
Instructions OF the most positive ma
ture have been cabled to Admiral Samp-
son to supply the necessary conveys
for General Miles transports, but not
withdrawing these instructions AdmiY-
al Sampson has proceeded with his
preparations for the expedition with q
elaboration that Is exasperating to off,
oials here. The president, who has
been giving the Porto Rican expedition
his personal attention as he has given.
indeed, all phases of the war, finally
became deeply concerned lest that part
Of the Porto Rican expedition that has
already sailed from this country should
arrive at the point of rendezvous in
advance Of General Miles and the navy.
Danger to Wilson's Command.
It il feared that If General Wilson's
command, which has sailed from
Charleston, should arrive in advance Of
General Miles and the naval conveys,
serious danger and possibly disaster
might result, az General Wilson's ships
are absolutely without protection. Tne
distance from Charleston to Porto Rico
n a trife over 1900 miles. while from
Playa del Este to Porto Rico IL Is about
100 miles. The comparative distances
which General Wilson and General
Miles have to travel to reach the point
Of rendezvous are rendered the more
nearly equal. however, by reason of the
fact that the former has more than
full days start.
Issued Personal Orders.
Fully appreciating these facts and
realizing the necessity for prompt ac-
ton in getting General Miles and his
Cuban expedition started, President
Mckinley issued personal orders through
the secretary Of the navy TO Admiral
Sampson that he should proceed fmme-
diately to Porto Rico with General
Miles. The presidents orders are sus-
ceptible of no misconstruction. They
are imperative to degree seldom en-
ployed except in cases of extreme emer-
gency. They are of the sort that will
brook no delay in their execution. Ad-
miral Sampson must start at once or
the president himself will know the
reason why.